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Whether it’s binging your favourite show or catching up on soaps, our TVs are on frequently. But how much electricity does a TV use?
Most of us watch a lot of TV. In 2020, media regulator Ofcom found the average watching time for TV and online videos was 5 hours, 40 minutes, meaning that over a week, a TV could be on for almost 40 hours.
We’ve worked out how much you can expect to spend per hour or evening to watch your TV – as well as how to save energy at home.
The first aspect to consider when working out how much electricity your TV uses is size.
‘Televisions can be the most power-hungry of all entertainment equipment, particularly the largest ones,’ says Brian Horne, Senior Insights & Analytics Consultant, Energy Saving Trust. ‘The larger a television screen, the more energy it will consume, regardless of its energy rating. Even the most efficient 60” TV is still more expensive to run per year against the lowest rated 32″ television. By choosing a smaller television, you are generally saving more energy.’
The other element that affects energy usage is the type of TV.
Image credit: Future Publishing Plc/ Richard Powers
TVs are rated for energy efficiency on a scale of A-G, but since the scale was revised in March 2021, most will have an E-G rating. For an idea of energy usage, look at the kWh/1000h number on the label to work out how much it’ll cost to run over an average year (1,000 hours is around 2-3 hours per day or about 19 hours a week).
According to the Energy Saving Trust the national average price (as of November 2021) per pence/kWh of electricity is 20.06p. We have rounded it to 20p for illustration purposes.
Leaving the TV on standby will increase the annual running cost. ‘TVs and game consoles, which are usually left on standby, account for a worrying 19% of total electrical use in the average household, or 9% of the nation’s energy bill,’ says Matt Manning, Group Carbon and Environment Manager at Currys. ‘Switching off electronics that are on standby can save an average household up to £40 a year.’
Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore
Reduce the cost of your evening’s entertainment by looking out for these handy features that the best TVs will all carry.
An overly bright TV costs more to run, so look for those that have light sensors to detect the room’s brightness and adjust the screen accordingly.
Whether you’ve nodded off or forgotten to switch off the TV before leaving the room, a sleep timer will turn the TV off after a few hours of no interaction.
Rather than keep toggling the brightness settings on your TV, this mode will dim the backlight to help reduce your power consumption by up to a third. Great for the daytime, which can then be switched back at night if needed.
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
‘A typical LCD screen uses around £50 of power every year and many modern TVs don’t even have an off button and instead are left on standby,’ explains Money.co.uk’s energy expert Ben Gallizzi. ‘The only way to be sure you’re not using power when the TV is not in use is to switch it off at the wall.’
If choosing a smaller TV screen isn’t an option, one way to save is to turn down the brightness. Factory settings are typically brighter than is necessary for most homes. Take it down to the lowest you’re happy with to reduce power consumption.
While we’re not suggesting you limit yourself to one show a night, there are many of us who flick the TV on out of habit without really watching it. If it’s background noise you like, try putting on the radio, music or a podcast instead of reaching for the remote.
The post How much electricity does a TV use? And how much does it cost to run? appeared first on Ideal Home.
With more of us home working than ever before, finding the space for a desk can be tricky for some. But one homeowner had the bright idea to utilise her upstairs landing as a hallway home office.
Yes, that’s right – what was once wasted space at the top of the stairs has been turned into a brilliant home office idea. Using the landing is a great way of keeping your working area out of your living room or bedroom.
Having knocked down a small box bedroom at the end of her hallway to create one big open-plan space, Instagrammer Charlotte Summers from Brighton was keen to use it as a spot for an office.
‘Our open-plan hallway and study area is up there with one of the best decisions we have made in our home renovation,’ Charlotte told North Yorkshire-based sheepskin retailer Jacobs & Dalton. ‘We didn’t need the additional single bed and felt it made the first floor feel cramped and dark. So we knocked the wall down and it has created a much better flow through the house.’
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
Here you can see where the original box bedroom was situated at the end of Charlotte’s landing. It’s clear to see how knocking down the wall gave the large window beyond a chance to flood the space with light. The walls were then stripped and replastered, ready for a fresh new design.
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
At the other end of the hallway, you can see how dated the decor was – definitely in need of an update!
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
What a transformation! The landing has been treated to a smart refresh, with new painted banisters and balustrades, painted walls and, most strikingly, a brand new office space at the far end.
‘My style is monochrome and classic, with a contemporary twist,’ says Charlotte, who hates clutter and was keen to make this a neat, orderly room.
A map decal adds interest to the walls. While spotlights overhead keep the area bright enough to work, even on the darkest of days. ‘We are south-facing so this demolished wall flooded our hallway with natural light’ explains Charlotte. ‘A once locked-away wasted view of the South Downs is now a picturesque sight every time you walk up the stairs.’
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
Going one step further, Charlotte even created a built-in bookcase along the side of the wall. This smart storage solution offers extra storage but also creates a display space.
‘One of the main reasons I wanted to build our DIY shelving in the hallway was to have an open place to showcase our personal items in a stylish way,’ she says. ‘I wanted the space to not only be functional, but also form an interesting display of what makes us “us”!’
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
You can see that among the shelving is a space for a piece of wall art, with a picture light above to highlight it in the evening. ‘As this is also our office, I’ve kept the decor minimal to maintain a decluttered mind. Filling it with things that keep me motivated, such as quotes and prints that mean a lot,’ says Charlotte.
Through clever planning on this project that she managed to keep costs down. ‘I find one of the biggest money burners when it comes to DIY is wastage through trial and error,’ she says.
‘By planning your cuts carefully and purchasing materials in the most efficient sizes, you will minimise the amount of unusable wasted material. And save money on the way. As they say: look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves!’
Image credit: Charlotte Summers
For any DIY beginners out there, Charlotte recommends planning thoroughly before you start. ‘Whatever the project, make sure you have a plan,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t need to be set in stone, but don’t dive in until you can visualise what you’re trying to achieve. I’ve learnt the hard way that failing to prepare is preparing to fail!’
We love Charlotte’s clean, modern style and her new hallway is a testament to her vision and hard work. You can see how she documented her DIY journey on Instagram at @charlottes_homestyle – who knows, you might even be inspired to change your hallway to incorporate a home office.
The post From hallway to home office: this multifunctional space gets a big makeover appeared first on Ideal Home.
Armed with a few of these best cleaning products cleaning your home can be easy. You never know: your inner Mrs Hinch might come out, and you might even enjoy it thanks to these top buys. Whether your kitchen tends to get the grubbiest or it’s your bathroom that you spend the most time cleaning, we’re here to tell you exactly what to buy, for excellent results. We’re talking shiny taps, sparkling (and scented) surfaces, shiny floors…
The best part? Each of these cleaning products have been tried, tested and loved by the Ideal Home team. Inside our real, and sometimes very messy, homes. We can report back brilliant things about each product, and there’s everything from bathroom cleaners to the best upholstery cleaner and more, all featured on our list. So, whatever you are searching for you’ll be rest assured to find a recommendation. And whatever you really need to clean will definitely be in safe hands.
Without further ado, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Grab your notepad or click straight through to buy these cleaning products online. Better start digging out those marigolds…
Image credit: Stardrops
Image credit: StardropsIt’s official: The Pink Stuff might just be our favourite ever cleaning product there is. Armed with a tub of this stuff, you can make anything shine from your old but gold toaster to your hob and even your BBQ. This cleaning paste is used (and loved) by the majority of us on the Ideal Home team, and a little goes a long way. Just use it along with a damp sponge or cloth to break down stubborn stains and transform your appliances, plus more. It can even be used on glassware, taps…
“What do I love about The Pink Stuff? Other than the fact it doesn’t smell chemically like other cleaning products, it’s brilliantly versatile and a great all-rounder. If you’re tight on space in your cleaning cupboard, a tub of this paste will go further than you’d expect. Trust us on this one!” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home’s Shopping Editor
Image credit: Method
This stuff from Method not only does a brilliant job at cleaning your surfaces – from the kitchen to the bathroom – but it smells amazing, too. We love the Wild Rhubarb scent and spoiler alert: this fragrance actually lingers! Guests will be sure to notice it, especially over a strong bleach smell, and it kills 99.9% of bacteria. It’s even poured inside a bottle that’s made from recyclable bottles, plus it’s cruelty-free and the formula is plant-based.
“The smell this antibacterial spray leaves behind is dreamy. I love to use it to clean the surfaces in my bedroom, living room and hallway to leave them smelling of a fragrance I would 100% have in candle form.” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Shopping Editor
Image credit: Marigold
Where do we start with these cleaning cloths? For starters: they come in a pack of 4, and they are made of extra-thick microfibre. They are all different colours so that you can dedicate one to your kitchen, another to your bathroom, a third to your bedroom and leave the other for anything miscellaneous. You can use them without any cleaning detergent, too – all they need is water to kill bacteria from your home. There’s no wonder they are highly rated.
“It’s amazing that these only need a bit of water on them in order to kill germs – you don’t actually need a disinfectant. I have a rainbow of these on constant rotation for wiping down my kitchen worktops and cupboards, coffee table and WFH desk. It might sound like a basic thing to say but I wouldn’t be without them. The fact you can throw them in the washing machine also makes me feel less guilty about waste.” – Millie Hurst, Ideal Home News Writer
Image credit: Elbow Grease
Popular and for good reason, Mrs Hinch’s beloved Elbow Grease is the cleaning spray to use on stubborn dirt. She uses this trusty solution to clean her UPVC windows, but it’s also a powerful degreaser. This means you can spray it in your oven for a sparkling result or even on your BBQ. Plus, it’s suitable for use on fabrics so that you can lift stains with ease. The best part? It leaves behind a lovely lemon scent. Just don’t use it on wood!
Image credit: Earth Breeze
Instead of your usual washing tablets or powder, why not switch it up for something a bit more eco-friendly? Bye bye plastic, hello nice smelling clothes. These Earth Breeze laundry sheets dissolve in hot or cold water, and they arrive in a cardboard box. You can even use them to handwash your clothes. Impressive!
“I just started using the Earth Breeze laundry sheets as I’m trying to cut down on our household single use plastic and I’ve been really impressed so far. Clothes come out clean and smelling fresh. You can buy a pack or sign up for subscription.” – Heather Young, Ideal Home Editor in Chief
Buy now: Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets, £14.99, Shop No Plastic
Image credit: Zoflora
You can’t beat a bottle of trusty Zoflora, right? This versatile disinfectant can be used on all types of surfaces, indoors and out, plus it kills bacteria like there’s no tomorrow. And, don’t even get us started on the scent it leaves behind. De-light-ful.
“I have a weird love of cleaning supplies. So I love Zoflora, the peony blush scent is my favourite. It reminds me of one of my favourite Jo Malone candles. I use it for everything from cleaning my floors to the bin. My favourite hack with it, I learnt from my Mum, she told me to put a capful down the kitchen sink or any sinks you don’t use often. It makes your whole house smell amazing. – Becky Knight, Ideal Home News Editor
Image credit: Astonish
Get your toilet looking shiny clean in a flash with help from these toilet tabs from Astonish. Aptly named because they do an Astonish(ingly) good job, just take the tablet out of its packaging and throw it in your loo. It’ll foam up and you’ll want to leave it for a few moments to do its magic. Then, come back and give your toilet a brush around and ta-dah! For use along with bleach, obviously, though they’re still pretty great – and handy.
“The Astonish toilet tablets are a bathroom staple in my household. They’re so easy to use and super effective. They also leave your toilet blue and foamy. You can leave yours overnight but I prefer to do this during the day. They’re also great for hard water areas!” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Shopping Editor
Image credit: HG
Mould spray is a must-have for any damp home. Whether it’s your bathroom, kitchen or bedroom that you have this problem inside, a good spritz of this will kill spores immediately. It’s strong, so you’ll need to open windows and use accordingly, but boy does it work.
“The mould spray I’ve started using after noticing mould on my bathroom walls (painted bathroom on a lower ground floor? Bad idea!). It works within minutes, the mould just completely disappears, and because it’s foam, it doesn’t splash or go everywhere. It is quite strong, so you have to use gloves, but it completely kills mould from tiles, grout, walls.” – Anna Cottrell, Ideal Home Consumer Editor
Image credit: Deft
Searching for a window and glass cleaner? This one from Lakeland was created to impress. Plus, it even smells nice. It’s eco-friendly and plant-based, too, while it comes housed inside a fully recyclable bottle for guilt-free cleaning. Add this to your cleaning arsenal now, we say.
“I love this stuff. It’s a window cleaner with a really clever bottle design so it gives a continuous mist when you spray it rather than an awkward squirt. I use it on every glass or mirror surface and buff it with a microfibre cloth including my coffee table and it smells incredible again.” – Becky Knight, Ideal Home News Editor
Image credit: Seventh Generation
If you’re trying to be a little more eco-friendly (who isn’t) then opt for this all-purpose cleaner from Seventh Generation. A whopping 86% of its ingredients are plant-based, yet it’s still powerful enough to cut through grease and grime. Impressive. It’s also free from bleach, colourants, synthetic fragrances, and VOCs so that you feel safe using it around pets and children. It’s even poured inside a bottle that’s made from recycled plastic, and this bottle is 100% recyclable, too.
“I’ve switched from my usual kitchen spray to this as it’s kinder to the environment. I’d say I have to scrub a little bit harder at any dried-on food spills with this cleaner but to me it’s worth it as unlike most kitchen cleaners it doesn’t contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that impact the air quality inside your home, or the water quality when it gets rinsed down the sink. It’s also noticeably more pleasant to use, without the strong chemical smell that can hit you in the back of the throat when you spray and used to make me cough.” – Amy Lockwood, Ideal Home Decor Editor
Image credit: Ecover
We’re all big fans of Ecover products over at Ideal Home, but there are a few that we really love. This all-purpose cleaner being one, mostly because it smells so good. Use it for mopping your floors, disinfecting your drains or even for general household use. It even has an easy-pouring spout to reduce spillages and to make your life easier.
“I’m a big fan of this one for when I’m mopping my floors. It’s not too harsh so I don’t worry about sensitive skin, it’s great for bathroom tiles too.” – Millie Fender, Ideal Home Ecommerce Editor
Image credit: Astonish
Sofa stain? Carpet spill? This powerful formula can rid your upholstery of pretty much any stain, from coffee to red wine (yes! you read that right). A very handy cleaning product to have under your cupboard just in case, plus it doesn’t even smell bad considering its nature. Use it on curtains, sofas, carpets, bedding, clothes and more.
“I use this upholstery cleaner all of the time, mostly becausee I am mega clumsy and spill everything. It really can rid light fabrics (and dark) from stubborn stains. I’ve used it on red wine on a grey fabric sofa, fake tan on white sheets and on other miscellaneous mishaps. There always has to be a bottle of this stuff under my sink…or else!” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Deputy Ecommerce Editor
Image credit: Viakal
Live in a hard water area? Hate cleaning the marks off your taps, shower screen and everywhere else that suffers? Us too. We’re here to introduce you to Viakal’s Limescale Remover Spray. It’ll leave your bathroom shining (especially your taps!), plus it aims to prevent the return of limescale. Just spray it on, leave it for five minutes and rinse it off. Easy stuff.
“This stuff smells awful but nothing will get rid of limescale on a shower door or in a kitchen sink quite like it. Living in London the hard water is a constant struggle so this is a bathroom cleaning essential for me.” – Becky Knight, Ideal Home News Editor
Image credit: Marigold
Name a better scourer you’ve used to (gently) scrub your kitchen from top to bottom. We’ll wait. This one from Marigold is brilliant for spoiled pans, almost-ruined pots and for cleaning an oven that’s riddled with burnt-on food. Two come in a pack, too!
“I really like the Marigold Cleaning Me Softly Scourer for washing up oven trays and dishes I’ve used for making mac & cheese or lasagnes. I also use it for scrubbing the hob and it doesn’t leave any scratches. I’ve had mine since March and it still works just fine.” – Millie Hurst, Ideal Home News Writer
Image credit: Seventh Generation
A grand total of 24 dishwasher tablets come included in this box, which by the way, is cardboard. These all-in-1 tables will leave your glasses shining and your environmental impact lower. They are powered by plants and minerals and made with 85% mineral and plant-based ingredients. No need to remove the packaging as this is 100% soluble so that you’re left with little to no waste.
“I also use the Seventh Generation dishwasher tablets which are the best I’ve found. They always dissolve properly and don’t leave granules/liquid in the washer compartment like a lot of well-known brands I’ve previously tried and they leave dishes perfectly clean and without any chemical-smelling residue like a lot of other types. And as EU Ecolabel certified dishwasher tablets are also free from fragrances, colourants and has no chlorine bleach.” – Amy Lockwood, Ideal Home Decor Editor
Image credit: E-cloth
“Well, the e-cloths, in my opinion are the best options for every type of cleaning – I have one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom, and keep one for dusting. They’re by far the most sustainable option (no more plastic bottles or sprays), they’re easy to wash in the washing machine, and the original ones are antibacterial, which is great for making sure the kitchen surfaces are safe after use.” – Anna Cottrell, Ideal Home Consumer Editor
Image credit: Seep
The trusty Seep Sponge from Bower Collective is 100% plastic-free and also 100% compostable. Use it for cleaning dishes or surfaces around the home, and there’s the advantage that this cleaning sponge is long-lasting. Complete your plastic-free or eco-friendly cleaning collection with these sponges.
“I made the swap from non-biodegradeable plastic sponges and scourers to these. Made from natural materials cellulose wood pulp (for the sponge) and raw loofah fibre (for the top scourer) they can be home composted where they break down into harmless organic waste. Toxin-free and not harmful to humans or ecosystems, they don’t release microplastics into the environment or end up in landfill. They do require a little more elbow grease compared to a plastic sponge and scourer as their texture isn’t as rough, but for me it’s worth it. They also dry really quickly and maintain their white colour for a long time so are much more pleasant to have sitting by the sink.” – Amy Lockwood, Ideal Home Decor Editor
Buy now: Seep Sponge with Loofah Scourer, £9.50, Bower Collective
Image credit: Stardrops
There’s no other stain remover you’ll want to use than this Stardrops spray if you are searching for something natural. This vinegar spray can break down stains and smells with ease, whilst being a powerful antibacterial cleaner. It’s multi-purpose and can be used to clean drains and more, too. It takes a while to get past the smell but it’s worth it in the end.
“Vinegar is having its moment in the cleaning industry, and I am completely behind this trend. Having two pets, I always use vinegar to clean areas that my pets spend the most time, just because it’s safer for them (and their paws). It admittedly stinks and as a vinegar hater, it’s powerful. But, we move. I also pour some inside my washing machine when putting on a white wash and it makes my bedding and clothes look brand new.”– Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Deputy Ecommerce Editor
Image credit: Puressentiel
There’s no doubt in our minds that this is the best air freshener you’ll ever use. Just one spray will banish odours and leave behind a lingering fresh scent, that’s made up of 41 essential oils. It’s mighty powerful and a bottle should last you for a long time. Plus, it’s anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It’s also suitable for asthma sufferers.
“This is the only air freshener I will ever use because it doesn’t clog the air. One spray in a room is more than enough to make a difference, and although it’s pricey it’s completely worth it. It destroys odours pretty much instantly.” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Deputy Ecommerce Editor
Image credit: Zoflora
Zoflora have released a disinfectant mist, to make cleaning your home a lot easier – and for killing 99.9% of bacteria with ease. It comes in a range of their signature scents, but fresh linen might just be our favourite. The best part about it? It doesn’t drench your upholstery or surfaces when using, thanks to the fact it’s a mist as opposed to a spray.
“I love the Zolfora disinfectant spray, the aerosol one. It’s great for misting over light switches and the toilet flush. I’ve been using it at the end of my cleaning sessions to zap any areas I might have missed. It dries in 30 seconds and smells great” – Becky Knight, Ideal Home News Editor
Image credit: Mrs. Meyers
This popular US brand is making its mark in the UK cleaning market, and we’re highly impressed by their products. This all-purpose cleaning spray is great for use on all surfaces in your home, and it leaves behind a delightful scent. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free, plus the bottle is made using at least 70% recycled plastics.
“This cleaning spray is a step in the right direction for anyone who is aiming to be kinder to the environment this year. It smells incredible and it’s scented with essential oils. Although it says it’s lavender, I think it’s more herby overall. I love using it on my kitchen worktops and I always have people comment when I use it.” – Annie Collyer, Ideal Home Deputy Ecommerce Editor
Image credit: Dettol
Use this laundry detergent to sanitise your clothes at low temperatures so as to save on energy. To be used along with your regular detergent, two capfuls can banish odours and you can use it on anything from clothes to bedding and towels. It leaves behind a fresh cotton fragrance, and it even removes allergens from your clothing.
“I like to add a cap of this when washing undies and sweaty gym gear. It is particularly handy in winter when I am drying inside and things take a little longer to air – it is sure to prevent any nasty niffs and leave your clothing sanitised. The smell is fresh but doesn’t compete with your regular detergent. Just pour a little into the powder drawer with each wash. I also use it to give my machine a disinfect from time to time if I have run out of washing machine cleaner.” – Lindsey Davis, Editor in Chief, Homes Ecommerce at Ideal Home
Image credit: Viakal
Clean your bathroom and rid your sink, taps and more from limescale with ease, with help from this spray from Viakal. It even kills 99.9% of bathroom bacteria at the same time. It’s powerful, so rest assured it doesn’t require a lot of elbow grease. You can use it on your tiles, taps and more, for a decent clean and impressive shine.
“We all know a bit of vinegar is great for limescale, but I have black taps and live in a hardwater area and trusty vinegar was not cutting it. A quick spray of this after each shower and a quick rinse does the job a treat. And I leave it on a little longer for stubborn limescale. It also eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, so it is a great all purpose bathroom spray for everything from your shower screen, to your tiles to your loo.” – Lindsey Davis, Editor in Chief, Homes Ecommerce at Ideal Home
Image credit: Purdy & Figg
Looking for a little luxury? This starter kit from Purdy & Figg is where to start. Simply enough, you mix one of the solutions with water in the ‘Bottle for Life’ and then start cleaning. This makes for less waste, plus the cleaning solutions are 100% natural, organic and made from essential oils.
“They smell nothing like a traditional cleaner, they’re quite luxurious aromatherapy style scents. I was surprised how efficient it was at cleaning my kitchen with just a couple of sprays and the counters smell like I’ve had an expensive candle burning in there afterwards.” – Becky Knight, Ideal Home News Editor
Buy now: Purdy & Figg Starter Kit, £29.99, Amazon
Image credit: Fabulosa
Similar to Zoflora’s disinfectant spray, although this one is vegan and cruelty-free and it doesn’t come out as a mist. You can use it to clean pretty much any surface inside your home, and it leaves behind a lovely scent. There are 5 fragrances to choose from, and it’s pretty great at banishing odours.
“This hospital disinfectant is proven to kill, Coronavirus, E. coli, S.aureus, Listeria, Campylobacter, MRSA, Salmonella, Influenza Type A H1N1. I don’t know what some of those are either, but they sound nasty and knowing a quick spritz of this gets rid of them is why I buy multipacks of this spray again and again. It smells amazing, it is vegan certified and cruelty-free and leaves no nasty residues. Use it to wipe down surfaces, or spray and leave to dry on door handles, and other high contact surfaces around the home.” – Lindsey Davis, Editor in Chief, Homes Ecommerce at Ideal Home
The post 25 of the best cleaning products, tried and tested appeared first on Ideal Home.
