This World Rhino Day, Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Hotel, set in the lush Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, is celebrating a historic conservation achievement: the arrival of the first white rhinos, in addition to the black rhinos in the reserve.
Now home to both species, the reserve stands as one of the only places in Victoria Falls where guests can experience this in the wild. This achievement highlights the success of the reserve’s Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ), established in 2006, which provides a secure and thriving environment for these critical populations.
There is most definitely an autumnal chill in the air recently, so what better time or place to welcome Lidl’s dehumidifier back to stores? Not only will it reduce the amount of damp in your home, but it has a dedicated laundry mode to make drying clothes faster and easier.
If you struggle to dry laundry during wet, chilly weather (i.e during autumn and winter), then one of the best dehumidifiers is an essential item to help you keep on top of your laundry routine. However, these appliances can be pricey, even costing hundreds of pounds for the best models, which is where Lidl’s budget dehumidifier comes into play.
Landing in stores on Sunday (27 September), the Lidl Tronic Dehumidifier is just £79.99 and is perfect for getting rid of damp and reducing humidity levels for a more comfortable home. Here’s everything you need to know.
TRONIC
Dehumidifier
If you’re on a budget, this Lidl dehumidifer has a large water capacity, can extract 10 litres of water per day, and won’t break the bank to buy or run.
Pro Breeze
Pro Breeze 20l High Extraction Dehumidifier With Special One Click Laundry Mode
When it comes to drying laundry, this dehumidifier is the best we’ve tried. Our review found that it could extract 20 litres of water per day, was easy to use and was highly effective at drying clothes.
It offers a moisture extraction rate of 10 litres per 24 hours and offers two programmes: ‘dry laundry’ or ‘dehumidifier’. It has a decent-sized water tank of 2.1L, a removable and washable filter, as well as a built-in timer and warning signal for when the tank is full.
The dehumidifier also has four castors, making transportation easier around your home. But if you’re struggling to dry clothes in winter, this is where a dehumidifier shines. As a dehumidifier’s job is to suck moisture out of the air, when placed near your drying rack can help clothes dry faster. It also helps prevent any musty odours or mould forming if your clothes are taking too long to dry. The other alternative is using one of the best heated airers, but these don’t have quite as many benefits as dehumidifiers with dedicated laundry modes.
(Image credit: Lidl)
Ideal Home’s Senior Digital Editor and resident dehumidifier expert, Jenny McFarlane, is also impressed by the specifications of the Lidl Tronic Dehumidifier.
‘The Tronic dehumidifier is a really affordable option for tackling condensation and excess moisture. Its 10-litre extraction rate makes it a good fit for smaller rooms, and I really like that it has a laundry mode so it can help speed up drying your clothes indoors. Being able to set your target humidity is another feature I’d normally look for in a good dehumidifier, while its compact size and castors make it easily portable from room to room,’ she says.
Lidl’s dehumidifier will only be in store, so if you find your local store quickly sells out, or doesn’t stock the dehumidifier, I’ve rounded up a few more models the Ideal Home team rate highly.
Dryzone dehumidifier
The Dryzone dehumidifier and air purifier is a compact two-in-one unit that tackles excess moisture while filtering out dust, allergens and pet dander. It comes with a 2.2 litre tank, extracts up to 12L of water per day.
Pro Breeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier
Small, affordable, super quiet, and with low running costs of just 1p per hour, this is a budget-friendly option for minor moisture problems. Don’t expect powerful performance, but it is ideal for windowsills or small rooms.
Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier
This dehumidifier can extract up to 30L of moisture from the air per day, giving it one of the highest extraction rates on the market. Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated control are a great addition.
Last week, M&S fully opened its Christmas shop, revealing one of the best Christmas decor collections of this festive season. I’ve been swooning over many of the new launches, some of which I’d already spotted at the brand’s Christmas showcase earlier this month – but the one ‘it’ buy that all the Ideal Home editors are obsessed with (myself included) are the £15 M&S paper striped star room decorations.
According to Marks & Spencer’s recent survey, 30% of people plan to decorate more than usual this year. And if you, too, fall into that category, the M&S Christmas shop has some truly spectacular – and XL-sized – Christmas decor ideas to adorn your abode with this festive season.
M&S
Paper Striped Star Room Decoration in Red
M&S
Paper Striped Star Room Decoration in Green
The sellout super-sized M&S Christmas bows that went viral last year are back again for another year. The brand also turned some of its foodhall bestsellers into adorable Christmas baubles – and people are going crazy for the cookies decs. But if you like a bit of Scandi-inspired flair, these M&S paper stars are for you.
(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)
Last year, paper stars were already one of the biggest Christmas decor trends. But this year, it’s all about the striped ones which we got a sneak peek of last Christmas with Habitat’s striped paper Christmas stars which were extremely popular with shoppers. And I predict the same fate for these super stylish ones from M&S.
(Image credit: M&S)
They’re perfect for decorating everything from walls and staircase ideas to doors and windows, equipped with a toggle-adjustable mesh ribbon matching the star to hang it with. There’s only one question remaining – do you go red or green? Personally, I’m leaning towards the red version. Meanwhile our Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight is adding the green one to basket to go with her pink-painted living room that also features a green sofa and accessories.
But if they manage to sell out before you get there in time, I’ve found some alternative striped paper Christmas stars to decorate your home with instead.
Alternative striped Christmas paper stars
Scandi Living
Bare advent star in white-red stripes
Sweden-based Nordic Nest has been making these striped Christmas stars for a while now. And they come in even bigger sizes than this 45-centimetre one.
Next
White Starburst Paper Hanging Decorations, Set of 3
This three-piece set from Next also comes in a red/white colourway. But I like the softness of the neutral stripes. And considering you get three stars, £20 is a really reasonable price for this set.
George Home
Red & White Paper Snowflake Christmas Decoration
George Home calls this Christmas decoration a ‘snowflake’, but I think it could be a star as much as it could be a snowflake.
Sostrene Grene
Hanging star
Danish brand Sostrene Grene’s take on the look is the most affordable, retailing for a little over £8 a pop. Measuring 30 centimetres, it still looks really elevated.
Oyoy Living
Toppu Decorative Star
It’s no surprise that the Scandis do this trend best. Danish brand Oyoy Living is another one that pitches in with its own take on the look which is more delicate and pared-back in a white and black colourway.
Meri Meri
Stripe Paper Star Hanging Decorations, Set of 3
The tassel and fringe home decor trend is perfect for the festive period. So why not go for striped paper stars adorned with colourful tassels for Christmas?!
Which striped paper Christmas star are you going for?
