1. Choose solar power and store your energy

Solar and home battery systems capture and store solar energy for use anytime—day, night, or during outages. Transition your home to stored energy instantly, reducing grid dependence and lowering your electricity bills, by powering your home from solar energy. Store energy when grid prices are low and use it when they rise with products like Powerwall 3 from Tesla. This compact battery with an integrated solar inverter helps you maximize savings, reduce bills, and power your home efficiently.

2. Only cool the rooms you use

Ensuring you have the appropriate home cooling system type is a vital step in minimising energy wastage. Low-cost and easy to install wall-mounted split air conditioning systems are a fantastic option for cooling commonly used spaces, such as the living room or bedroom, rather than paying to cool the whole home. This is a much more efficient way of keeping cool as compared to, for example, full-home cooling via multi-split or ducted systems.

3. Pick the right temperature

With Australians’ concern around the cost of energy increasing, it makes sense for us to take a few simple steps to keep those electricity bills as low as possible. Pay attention to your temperature settings. This can be a cause of many a family argument, so if you’re battling for control of the temperature gauge, remind your home companions that for every 1°C change in a thermostat setting, it’s estimated that our heating or cooling bill rises by around 10%

4. Regular system maintenance

Regular maintenance will improve the performance and extend the life of your heating and cooling systems. To ensure your system is operating with maximum efficiency, clean your unit as instructed by the manufacturer and have it serviced regularly and choose models with easy-clean features, which will allow for hassle-free maintenance between servicing.

As a general rule of thumb, the more a fan runs and the dirtier the conditions, the more often the filters require cleaning. However, humidity can also play a role because the more moisture in the air, the more dust can adhere to the filter, fan blade and indoor coil. This will reduce the amount of air that the fan moves. The less air the fan moves means that the unit can go into fault or cause the system to run at a reduced capacity.

5. Remember to close the door

“Air conditioners work most efficiently when in closed spaces, so it’s best to position your device far away from the front door and away from windows where sunlight regularly enters,” says Atesh Mani, Mitsubishi Electric Australia Air Conditioning National Product Manager. “This will ensure that the cool air continues to circulate throughout the house without uncontrolled amounts of heat entering.” Sunlight streaming in through the windows raises the temperature of a room so it’s a good idea to invest in some light blocking curtains or shade trees for outside of windows too. A door snake to keep the hot air out is another great cost effective option.

5. Selecting the right rooms

If you’re thinking about upgrading your heating or cooling, the first decision to make is to decide which room to place the heating or cooling source. Attempting to heat or cool your whole home will see energy bill costs spike, so it’s best to position a fireplace, heater or air conditioner in the rooms where you spend the most amount of time. With a fully integrated solar inverter, Powerwall can efficiently store solar energy and convert it into electricity to power your home. This means you can capture more of the solar energy your system is already generating during the day and use energy to power your home for free at night.

The post 5 ways to slash your energy bill in half appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Many indoor plants fail to survive as a result of two main care blunders: overwatering, and providing either too little, or too much sunlight. So selecting a plant that needs hardly any light, and hardly any water will set you up for success. 

Another thing to consider is the ‘climate’ inside your home. Does it tend to get humid? Or, if you like to keep your air conditioner humming regularly, you may be better off selecting a plant that can tolerate a drier environment (or invest in a plant mister), creating a terrarium garden, or placing plants in the bathroom where water vapour will keep humidity-loving species happy.

Here, multi-award winning horticulturalist and landscape expert Charlie Albone shares five indoor plants that are virtually impossible to kill.

1. Mother-in-law’s tongue

“This is a hardy upright succulent that grows out in the garden as well as indoors,” Charlie says. With its vibrant green and yellow leaves they make great pot plants and are easy to propagate and easy to care for. Plant in free-draining soil and water occasionally.

2. Aspidistra (cast iron plant)

The nickname says it all! This hardy plant grows grow in shade under trees and shrubs. It’s also perfect for cooler indoor areas of your home with indirect sunlight. Its dark green leaves are slow-growing so you won’t need to give it much more room as time goes on. “You can only kill it with too much sun,” Charlie says.

3. Devils Ivy

Originating from tropical and temperate regions, this plant will thrive indoors in most climates. It grows well in full to partial shade outdoors. As indoor plants, they will do well in a brightly lit spot, however they will also grow in low-light conditions. “This is a great plant for indoor areas with low light such as bathrooms,” Charlie says.

4. Hen and chicken succulents

“Hen and chickens” is a common name for a group of small succulent plants, indicating a plant that possesses enlarged parts to store water, making them hardy and drought tolerant. “Make sure the soil is free draining and these will live forever,” Charlie says.

5. Indian Hawthorn

If you live near the beach, this is the perfect plant for you. This evergreen plant is virtually bulletproof and survives in all sorts of conditions. “A super hardy plant for full sun that can also take salty air,” Charlie says.

The post 5 plants that are (almost) impossible to kill appeared first on Home Beautiful.

So whether you choose to reduce your water usage, cut back on your energy consumption, or significantly reduce the amount of single-use-plastic that comes into your home, these ideas will help you make a sustainable and worthwhile change.

Christina Kjaergaard, Commercial Manager at Pure Planet Club, shares her top 10 ways to be more sustainable this year.

1. Put a nozzle on it

Use a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or better yet, water plants with a watering can! Ensure sprinklers are set to timers and, if you’re game, place a bucket in the shower and use any water you collect on the garden. Prevent garden moisture loss by mulching garden beds in autumn and spring.

2. Avoid single-use plastics

Think about your daily routine – are there any moments where you can actively reduce your reliance on single-use plastics? Can you bring a reusable cup to the cafe in the morning? Can you replace a disposable plastic water bottle with an insulated stainless steel cup? When you’re at the shops, consider the following before you buy: how long can it be used? Will it have more than one use? When you’re finished with it, will it end up in landfill?

Beauty products are another common culprit. Think about your toothbrush, hairbrush and other beauty products. Try bamboo options instead. As for cosmetics packaging, TerraCycle recycling programs are operated at many department stores including Mecca, Sephora, Priceline and David Jones. They’ll happily accept empty costmetics constainers for free.

3. Switch to eco-friendly toilet paper

ry options made from 100% plant-based materials like bamboo and sugarcane waste, like Pure Planet Club toilet tissue. Making this simple choice means you save wiping out 27,000 trees which is normally used to make toilet paper per day!

4. Use the half flush when possible

If you have a dual flush toilet, using the half flush button reduces your water usage which helps to preserve the environment and save money on your water bill – over 15,000 litres of water can be saved annually!

5. Take speed showers

Believe it or not, it is possible to wash your whole body in 4 minutes. Set a timer, do it for a few weeks and soon you will be in the habit of efficient showering. Save water and energy used to heat the water.

6. Use non-toxic cleaning products

There’s no need to resort to harsh chemicals to make your home sparkling clean. When selecting cleaning products look for natural ingredients, recyclable or reusable packaging and multi-purpose products that can replace several single-use products (fewer products = less packaging waste). Natural cleaning products can even be found in your pantry (bicarb soda and vinegar can work wonders). Natural products are healthier for you, and healthier for our planet.

7. If you’re not using it, switch it off!

It’s amazing how much of your household energy you can save when you’re consciously switching off. Not only will you reduce your electricity bill, you’ll also reduce your impact on natural resources and global warming.

8. Resell and donate items

Vintage items are more popular than ever before. Think twice before tossing something out and adding it to landfill. Try reselling it online, give it to a friend or donate it to a charity organisation.

9. Stick to water restrictions

Recently some places, including Sydney, have upped their water restrictions. If we all do our bit and save a little, together we’ll make a big difference.

10. Put an end to ‘wish-cycling’

Think because you’ve tossed something into the recycling bin that it’s taken care of? Think again. Educate yourself on what your local council can and can’t recycle. If you’re not sure whether something is recyclable, check the label on the packaging. For tips and inspiration on improving your recycling game, visit @banish.au on Instagram.

The post 10 ways to be more sustainable at home appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Luckily, autumn is the best time to rejuvenate your lawn and get it looking healthy again.

Horticulturalist Adam Woodhams shares his top five tips to show your lawn some TLC and prepare it for the season ahead. 

1. Feed your lawn

Putting extra love into the garden in autumn will result in a garden that is healthy all year ’round, and your lawn is no different, says Adam. “Feeding your lawn now helps with both summer recovery and winter preparedness,” he says.

“As the days are getting shorter this becomes more difficult for your lawn as it needs sunlight to generate and store energy. Feeding allows your lawn to create energy more efficiently, it gives it the extra boost to both recover and to build its winter resilience.”

2. Let there be light

“You need to maximise your lawns exposure to sunlight so keep any falling leaves at bay and keep an eye on any overgrown shrubs that may be shading your lawn too,” says Adam.

“Try running your mower over your lawn at a setting higher than your normal mowing height. Your mower will act like a vacuum cleaner. And all those leaves you catch? They make great garden mulch. Or better yet, use a leaf blower for a fast and easy tidy-up!”

3. Aerate, aerate, aerate

“At this time of year you may also notice bare patches in your lawn where soil is compacted. The quick and easy way to combat this is to use a garden fork to aerate,” says Adam.

“Drive the fork in a few centimetres and rock gently back and forth. Repeat over the entire area at roughly 5cm spacing before finally raking some dry, clean river sand over the area to fill the holes and keep them open for air and water circulation.”

4. Keep mowing as required

“It’s important to give your lawn a light trim this time of year,” says Adam, who acknowledges there is plenty of confusing advice about exactly how high to cut your lawn at this time of year.

“The fact of the matter is it’s important to find the right height and just stick with it year-round. The actual height will vary with your lawn type, but I like to aim for what is known as ‘foot feel’ – walk on your lawn barefoot and it should be nice and comfy. Not too hard or too spongy.”

5. Make the most of water

“If conditions have been dry, you can reduce the loss of water by applying a quality soil wetter – this will help ensure any rainfall is soaking in and not running off.”

The post 5 horticulturalist tips to revive your lawn in autumn appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The mornings are pleasantly cool while the daytime sun has lost its summer sting making it the perfect time to also be working in the garden.

Horticulturalist Adam Woodhams shares five autumn gardening projects to tick off your checklist that will also give you every excuse to enjoy the great outdoors and improve your garden while you’re at it!

1. Relax outdoors and plan ahead

Here’s a project everyone can enjoy – relaxing and observing. Now is the ideal time of year to be chilling-out in your garden and thinking about the next project you may want to undertake.

Many of the garden projects that require a bit of hard work are best left for the cooler months meaning now is perfect for planning and working out budgets. 

Looking at a new lawn? Set it out now so that in late winter you can do the spade-work to lay it as soon as the weather warms up. Want to create the ultimate outdoor dining area? Start researching furniture, such as extendable outdoor dining tables and waterproof outdoor rugs, now.

Whatever your garden ambitions, now is the time to put pencil to paper and start turning them into reality for next spring.

2. Show your lawn some love

Don’t neglect your lawn in autumn! Lavishing a little TLC on a tired lawn will reap benefits well into winter and spring.

Apply a quality slow-release lawn food. This will allow your grass to top up its energy reserves after a long, hot summer and store some energy, improving its resilience, for the winter ahead.

If your lawn is looking a little patchy after the wear-and-tear of summer then grab your garden fork and open that soil up before raking over some clean, dry river sand. This will open the soil up, aerating it, improving air, water and nutrient movement.

Finally, make sure your lawn is getting maximum exposure to sunlight by raking up fallen leaves and pruning back unruly shrubs and tree branches.

3. Plant spring-flowering bulbs

It’s not too late to add one of the single most spectacular spring displays you could ever wish for – spring flowering bulbs. You’ll find bulbs in virtually every flower colour in the rainbow in most garden retailers or online.

Some of the traditional, such as jonquils, daffodils and freesias, can be left alone post-flowering to naturalise in the garden, whereas others, such as tulips, will need lifting and storing in all but the coolest areas.

4. Plant trees and shrubs

Did you know that now is one of the best times to be planting many trees and shrubs? The air and soil are still warm enough to allow for development and establishment and soil stays moist with lower evaporation, reducing stress on new plants.

You may not notice much growth before winter but come spring autumn planted shrubs and trees will take off fantastically.

5. Start a compost heap

Autumn is a great time to be looking at establishing a compost heap.

At the simplest level a compost heap needs a combination of what’s often called ‘green and brown material’ – green, moist nitrogen-rich fresh material and brown, dry carbon-dense material – to function well.

All of those diced-up fallen leaves and lawn clippings from your lawn-mower catcher are an ideal starter for a compost heap. Come spring you should have a nice pile of rich, home-brewed material ready for adding to the veggie garden.

The post 5 rewarding gardening projects to tackle in autumn appeared first on Home Beautiful.

From meal kit subscription services to smart cooking devices, here are seven of the best ways to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the meal you’ve lovingly crafted. 

1. Declutter the kitchen

Kitchen cabinets that overflowing with unused pots, pans, utensils and other appliances? Take everything out and decide what you need and what you’ll never use. This is also a good time to throw out anything that’s stained, broken or, as Marie Kondo says, doesn’t “spark joy”.

Once you’ve cleared out the kitchen, ensure everything has a home. There are various products available to help organise everything in your kitchen, including canisters for things like flour, spice racks and hooks for utensils. This will save you time looking for the right pan, measuring jug, scissors and whatever else you need during cooking.

2. Only buy useful small appliances

After you’ve decluttered your kitchen, invest in good quality products to help make your cooking efficient.

High-tech appliances are worth the investment if they’ll be used. For example, if you like a coffee every morning, a coffee machine might save you time. If you like smoothies or juices, a proper blender is a worthwhile purchase. Appliances such as slow cookers and air fryers allow you to cook delicious meals without having to stand over a hot stove.

It’s also a good idea to invest in a great pots and pans that will replace a cupboard full of cheap ones – and save you in the long run. 

3. Try guided cooking

In case you haven’t heard of it, guided cooking is a new trend that’s been gaining momentum over the past couple of years.

Appliance makers and tech companies alike are jumping on the bandwagon, helping home cooks save time by creating appliances that take you through recipes with clear on-screen instructions, plus temperature and timings are set automatically by the machine. 

Some guided cooking machines you may have heard of include the Tefal Cook4Me or the Thermomix.

4. Make a meal plan

Planning ahead is one of the best ways to save time in the kitchen. Having a meal plan for the week saves time (and stress) thinking of what to make every night. You can then get all your groceries at once and save time on emergency trips to the shop! It also means you can start prepping meals earlier.

Start preparing breakfast the night before, or marinate meat in the morning for dinner that night. Obviously life sometimes (often) gets in the way – whether it’s a last-minute dinner invite or everyone is craving pizza – so leave room in your weekly plan for this. It’s also a good idea to account for leftovers with a “Leftovers Day”.

5. Try a meal kit subscription

Can’t seem to get the hang of meal planning and find yourself ordering UberEats more than you’d care to admit? Meal Kit subscription services such as Marley Spoon and Hello Fresh are more convenient than planning and cooking everything from scratch and will save you money on all of those takeaway orders. 

6. Shop smarter

Making small changes when buying groceries is an easy way to save time in the kitchen. There are myriad products available to help you take shortcuts, but the key is to choose items that save time but without compromising on taste.

Try buying pre-chopped veggies, packaged stock and curry pastes so you don’t have to start from scratch. Recipe bases are particularly good for weeknight meals and can easily be jazzed up with extra spices.

You can buy crushed ginger, garlic and chilli to use in everyday dishes and reserve crushing the fresh ingredients for recipes that need a stronger flavour. 

7. Make the most of leftovers

Repurposing leftovers to create new meals is a great way to save time, since most of the food is already cooked. It also helps to reduce food waste, which is an issue for most households – 35 per cent of the average household bin in Australia is food waste.

Have a few go-to leftover recipes up your sleeve and you can include them in your weekly meal plan.

Cooksmarts has a handy infographic that you can get printed with ideas for repurposing leftovers. Aside from using leftover food for the next day, you can also repurpose things like leftover herbs and fruit to avoid waste – make some pesto, jams, smoothies or banana bread!

The post 7 cooking hacks that will save you time in the kitchen appeared first on Home Beautiful.

1. See the space through your guest’s eyes

“You will get an immediate sense of the things that stand out for the wrong reasons by taking photos of the space,” Jessica says. “Perhaps you need to declutter certain areas or additional lamps are required for better illumination.” A quick clean-up will do wonders, and clever positioning of furniture and décor will highlight the good and downplay the bad, such as using rugs to cover stains and arranging seating to make the most of the space.

2. Make your home smell great

“Throw open windows and doors to get fresh air circulating and use diffusers and candles in the space,” Jessica says. Opt for clean, fresh fragrances such as lemon, mint, lavender or eucalyptus.

3. Cosy up with soft textiles

“Create a comfortable environment by adding materials that feel good to the touch,” Jessica says. “Soft textures lend themselves to relaxation, while organic surfaces connect us to nature.” Think linens and flannels for beds and keep lots of soft throws and cushions on hand. “Use mugs and plates that have an organic feel and display a few statement decor pieces with interesting finishes in timber and terracotta and clay,” Jessica adds.

4. Create a quiet, calming sanctuary

“While you may not be able to create a completely silent retreat, there are a few things you can do to reduce the noises that bounce around the rooms,” Jessica says. “If your space is filled with hard surfaces like tiles and concrete, you will find that noises will echo and be amplified. Soft surfaces absorb sound, so laying down rugs, adding in upholstered furniture and installing fabric curtains will help buffer annoying noises.”

5. Scale back your personal taste

“Elements of your personal space should shine through, but keep it under control,” Jessica says. “A neutral space with a tasteful amount of decoration is more likely to appeal to a wider audience. Keep wall colours neutral and add little pops of personality through artwork, cushions, rugs and throws.”

The post Five ways to make guests feel welcome in your home appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ovens, rangehood filters and dishwashers often undergo heavy and often daily use, so showing them some love will help ensure they run smoothly and help prolong their life span.

Colin Jones, Appliance Category Expert at Appliances Online, says, “Spring is a great time for cleaning the home, however many households tend to forget their home appliances in their spring cleaning routine.

“There are some simple tricks and tips to help maintain and prolong the life of your home appliances, particularly those that we use regularly.

“With the use of some everyday household items, your appliances can be cleaned to look and smell like new again, bringing them back to life and ensuring they continue to run efficiently.”

How to clean your oven

This step-by-step guide to cleaning your oven will leave it looking shiny and new again without having to use oven cleaners.

Mix ½ cup baking soda with water until it is a spreadable paste-like consistency.

Using a brush, smear the entire inside of your oven and oven door, and leave it overnight (trick: you can also use this to clean your oven racks and trays).

In a spray bottle, mix a combination of vinegar and water and spray the inside of the oven, using a damp cloth to remove the residue. Some harder to remove bits may require a scraper to remove entirely.

Don’t forget to clean the grimy oven window, while you’re at it!

How to clean your microwave

Your microwave may develop a bad food smell from overuse throughout the year and it is a good idea to include it in your spring cleaning.

To clean your microwave, place 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with some freshly squeezed lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 5 minutes. Remove the bowl and use a clean cloth to wipe the surfaces down.

Don’t forget to wipe down the microwave door.

How to clean your range hood filters

Range hood filters are a key part to your range hood and should be kept clean in order for your range hood to work properly.

Remove the filters and place them in the sink with a combination of hot water, detergent and ¼ cup of baking soda.

Leave them to soak for 15-20 minutes, if they are extremely dirty you may need to scrub them with a dish brush or scourer.

Once done, place the filters into your dishwasher on the hottest temperature (this will flush out built-up grease in between the filters).

Once the cycle has finished, take the filters out and leave to dry completely before placing back into your rangehood.

How to clean your dishwasher

Clean your dishwasher filters and eliminate odours for better wash results.

Place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher, or pour directly into the dishwasher drain and run a short cycle. This will loosen trapped food particles causing the odours, giving you a fresher smell-free dishwasher.

Remove filters and soak them in warm water for 10 minutes. Give them a good rinse under hot running water and place back in your dishwasher. Throw ½ cup of baking soda down the drain hole as well to freshen it up.

Remove the spray arms and check there are no food particles blocking the spray jets. You can use a wire to clean out the holes of any hard deposits that can prevent them from working properly.

How to clean your vacuum cleaner

To ensure your vacuum continues to run smoothly, the filters should be cleaned regularly at least once every three months.

Open up your vacuum, remove the filter and tap it against a hard surface to shake off loose dust. Using a dry brush, gently remove the remaining dust. Ensure this is done outdoors so the dust doesn’t end up back inside!

Any fine dust remaining can be rinsed under a cold tap, hold the filter under the running water until it runs clear (be sure to check for electrical components or attachments before rinsing in water).

Leave to dry in direct sunlight, and ensure the filter is completely dry before placing it back in the vacuum.

At the same time, give your vacuum’s dust container a good rinse of any residual dust and grime, remembering to let it dry completely before reassembling.

The post How to spring clean your home appliances appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Tim Prohasky, owner of Solarflow and a Sanden Eco® Plus dealer shares his top tips.

1. Do your research

In order to be able to stick to a renovation budget, it is important to ensure you have a realistic budget in place. You’ll need to do some research into the cost of materials and products, as well as the cost of labour. Doing this research will allow you to estimate the cost of your home renovation, which will help you make an informed decision as to whether this is something you can feasibly afford at this point in time.

2. Get quotes

Research is an important part of estimating your budget – but don’t leave it at a guess. Work with trade professionals who will provide you with a written quote – this will give you a solid cost for all aspects of your renovation. When sourcing quotes make sure you get at least three quotes from separate businesses – this will help to ensure you are getting a fair market price.

3. Add a buffer

If there’s one thing that we have learned from our homeowners and favourite home renovation shows, it’s that renovations don’t always go to plan! Once you have estimated your budget, it is a good idea to add 25% to the total cost as a ‘buffer’ for any unexpected occurrences or additions that you make. This will help you to stay within your estimated cost bracket, even in the event that things go a little haywire.

4. Track your costs

Keep an updated spreadsheet of your invoices and receipts related to your house renovation. This will help you stay in control of your outgoing costs and you will be less likely to be tempted into splurging on something that you don’t need. When you can see all of your expenses right in front of you, you’re much less likely to blow your renovation budget.

5. Stick to the plan

Once you have started your renovation stick to what you originally agreed upon. Changing the plan often leads to delays, money being spent on extra materials and extra labour time. Deviating from your plan more often than not causes significant impacts on your budget, so it’s important to know where to draw the line during changes to your renovation.

The post 5 ways to keep your renovation budget on track appeared first on Home Beautiful.

So whether you own a stick vacuum cleaner, or a powerful corded model, try these vacuuming hacks to keep your home looking fresh and clean.

Freshen up your home

Eliminate odours and naturally freshen up your home at the same time by adding a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender, tree tea or lemon, to the filter in your vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, soak a cotton wool ball with essential oil and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. The scent will disperse and freshen the air in your home as you vacuum – no unsightly dispenser or expensive refills needed.

Retrieve lost items

Never lose your jewellery or contact lens again with this handy household hack. Secure pantyhose material over the opening of your vacuum with a rubber band. Then, simply run the vacuum over the area where you dropped the item, to carefully retrieve it (and maybe some crumbs from under the couch).

Remove carpet furniture dents

If you’re feeling the strain of moving heavy furniture, you’re not alone– your carpet feels it, too. Moving heavy furniture often leaves behind deep indentations that can ruin the appearance of your carpet. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix. Place ice cubes in the carpet dips and let them melt completely. When the carpet is completely dry follow-up by running a vacuum over the area to remove the damage.

Groom pets

One of the reasons you probably whip out your vacuum on the regular is because of fur-shedding pets! Treat the problem at the source by using your vacuum cleaner. How, you may ask? By investing in a pet-grooming vacuum cleaner attachment. It slicks back the fur and sucks up stray strands at the very same time so your pet and your home stay spick and span. There are pet-grooming vacuum cleaner attachments for Dyson machines and universal pet-grooming vacuum attachments for all other units available.

Give mattresses a deep clean

The secret to a healthy, good night’s sleep may be a clean mattress, yet it is often overlooked when we wash our other bedding. Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum the top and sides of your mattress, pressing firmly as you go. You’ll be surprised how quickly and effectively you can rid your mattress of dead skin, pet hair and food crumbs using your vacuum.

Even more ways to use your vacuum cleaner:

• Maintain other appliances by keeping components such as air conditioner vents and clothes dryer lint filters clean. 
• Remove crumbs from toaster tray. Make sure the toaster is unplugged before you attempt this. 
• Use with vacuum storage bags to save room in your cupboard by compressing out-of-season clothing and infrequently used linen. 
• Keep skirting boards dust free using the brush attachment. 
• Blow up inflatable furniture, including air mattresses for when guests come to stay.

The post 5 things you didn’t know you could use your vacuum for appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Creating the perfect cheese board is simple – once you know how. To nail the art of putting together a beautiful platter of delicious cheeses we asked Paul Thompson from The Artisan Cheese Room to share his top tips.

“Getting the right balance can elevate the entire occasion and act as a stunning visual centrepiece as well as creating a unique tasting experience,” Paul says.

“Here at The Artisan Cheese Room we regularly prepare and advise on countless cheese boards for our customers and I’ll now share some tried and trusted guidelines.”

1. How many cheeses should I serve? What are the best cheeses?

We believe that four cheeses is a perfect number – and recommend a serving a few types of cheese; a hard cheese, a soft cheese, a blue cheese and a goat cheese. Your cheesemonger will be able to help you choose within each type and ideally you will always taste a few different types of cheese before you buy. Choose contrasting styles. Prepare a cheese platter that offers a variety of tastes, textures and terroirs (place of origin).

2. How much cheese do I need?

This is an important point. Your cheese board needs balance so try to get approximately the same size of each cheese. Work to about 80-100g of cheese (in total) per person. So if you’ve 6 people, aim for about 500-600g of cheese. Again, a cheesemonger will cut your cheeses to order.

3. What’s the best cheese board to use?

Choose your board or serving platter for the occasion and size of cheese – but don’t be too precious. A wooden cutting board works perfectly and looks great, as does a ceramic platter. Dark slates are quite popular and act as a nice colour contrast to the cheese. Cheeses, like wines, are best tasted from mildest to strongest, so serve them in this order on your board.

4. What accompaniments should I serve with cheese?

Crackers or bread? Fresh fruit or dried fruit? Whatever you choose – think texture and keep it simple. Fresh seasonal fruit is always a welcome addition. The sweetness of a strawberry, cherry or peach pair very well with many cheeses whilst adding to the visual appeal. Quince paste is a classic accompaniment as are muscatels (dried grapes) and some fresh herbs. That said, give me a fresh baguette and a glass of wine and I’m happy.

5. When should I take the cheese out of the fridge?

Cheese should be served at room temperature so bring it out in advance – anywhere between 30mins and 2 hours, depending on the season. This will accentuate the true flavours and aroma of these cheeses, while the textures will soften.

6. When should I serve my cheese board?

In Australia, the favoured time for a cheese board is before the meal, but in Europe, the cheese course is generally served after the main meal, but before dessert. However, it’s your party so serve it whenever you fancy!

7. How long will the cheese keep? How do I store cheese?

Here at the Artisan Cheese Room, we wrap all our cheeses in wax paper – which allows the cheese to breath and not sweat. This will ensure that the cheeses last 1-2 weeks from purchase. If you have any cheese remaining after serving, wrap the spare cheese in baking paper (plastic is not a friend of cheese) and keep it in an airtight container in the salad or vegetable drawer.

And finally… the fact that there is no perfect cheeseboard is, well, perfect! So go forth and eat cheese. Assemble a cheeseboard of contrasting flavours, textures, tastes and flavours. Try milk from different animals, countries – French cheeses, Italian cheeses – terroirs, and seasons. Cheese has a vintage every day so rest assured that whatever cheese board you curate, it will be absolutely and totally unique.

Cheese board essentials to shop now

01

Baccarat Le Connoisseur 3 -piece board with holder set, House

$70 (usually $239.99)

A rustic wooden board makes the perfect base to build your best cheese platter on. This 3-piece set includes boards of all shapes and sizes so you can chop and change depending on the style and size you want your cheese board to be.

Shop Now

02

Davis & Waddell cheese knife set of 3, Pillow Talk

$34.95

Basic cuterly just doesn’t cut it (pun intended) when it comes to a self-serve cheese board. This timeless cheese knife set with accacia wood handles comes with a classic cheese knife, a cheese cleaver for hard cheese, and a soft cheese spreader for oozy brie and airy chevre.

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Apiwraps reusable beeswax wraps for cheese, healthylife

$19.95

If you find yourself with leftover cheese, storing it correctly will ensure it can be enjoyed again in the next day or two. These beeswax wraps are ideal for keeping cheese as they prevent it from both drying out and sweating – two things you don’t want your cheese to do.

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The post 7 steps to creating the perfect cheese board appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Kmart fan Shannon Lott and her family spent three days giving the caravan a makeover, taking it from dingy and dreary to light, bright and modern.

The budget for the makeover was $500, and Shannon was delighted when it came in at just $474.50.

She originally purchased the caravan on Gumtree for $4800 for a six-month trip she is planning to take with her teenage son and toddler daughter.

Shannon used Rust-Oleum chalk paint from Bunnings to freshen up the brown cupboards, and Rust-Oleum gold spray paint for the fittings, while Kmart vinyl rolls gave the floor and countertops a much-needed lift.

The sofa bed is from IKEA and was purchased second-hand from Facebook Marketplace, and the majority of the soft furnishings including the ottoman, cushions and runner came from Kmart.

She posted her makeover on the Kmart Home and Hacks Facebook page and the post has since received almost 1000 and more than 6300 likes.

“It’s so lovely that people have loved our sweet little van,” Shannon said. “We are so excited to hit the road together in it.”

The post The ultimate Kmart caravan makeover appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Each bauble is hand made by family-owned and operated, Wild Hibiscus Flower Co., who specially craft the gin themselves in their recently constructed distillery.

The homemade Australian dry gin is infused with six different natural botanicals for a distinctive flavour and colour; Finger Lime, B’Lure Butterfly Pea Flower, Wattleseed, Snow Chrysanthemum, Wild Hibiscus and Pepperberry.

Each bauble’s botanical flavour can be seen in its centre with a pretty floral element encased inside. Also included in the gift set is a cocktail recipe to accompany each bauble’s unique gin.

The baubles make for the perfect gift, party favour or event decoration. Buy them for a friend, hang them on your tree, or simply treat yourself.

Gingle Bells can be purchased for RRP $79 at the website and select stockists.

The post Gin baubles are back for Christmas! appeared first on Home Beautiful.