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Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

by | Jun 26, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Working, walking, eating, sleeping, being – it all felt rather impossible in this stifling heatwave. So, in a way to beat the heat, I’ve been trying the Alison Hammond-approved sock cooling hack, and it’s great for providing instant relief in hot weather.

I’m not one to usually complain about hot weather, but I’m not lying when I say my flat has felt like a furnace this week. It’s south-facing and stuffy, and I’ve been struggling to cool my home, even with the best cooling hacks at my fingertips.

Given that the best portable air conditioners are basically sold out everywhere, and my best fan is pretty much blowing hot air around my home, I’ve had to get creative. And that involves filling an old sock with rice and stuffing it in the freezer.

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The rice and sock cooling hack

I’ve not lost my mind, I promise! But a sock filled with frozen rice has been a game-changer and is helping me stay cool this week. Simply pressing it to my wrists and neck has provided instant relief – especially when working from home.

A purple sock and purple bag on rice on kitchen counter.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)

I say it is Alison Hammond-approved because I first became aware of the hack when the presenter, who is a self-proclaimed genius at staying cool, revealed her trick during a segment on This Morning back in August 2020.

It is incredibly simple. You take a clean sock, fill it with rice and tie the end. Then pop it into your freezer for one to three hours. The result feels like an icy bean bag, which moulds easily to the contours of your body, providing instant relief.

This week, I’ve used the hack to keep me cool when working and when I’m trying to sleep. I’ve even taken to placing it on my pillow while I brush my teeth, so my pillow feels nice and cold when I lie down. Speaking to my mum, I found out she even uses this hack to help keep our elderly dog cool in hot weather.

The frozen rice is not harshly cold. Where putting an ice-pack straight to your skin can feel intense, offering a burning cold, the rice hack is far more subtle. It’s comfortable and cool from the get-go. It also feels completely dry, which surprised me. Unlike an ice pack, you don’t have to worry about water beading down your body or pooling around your home.

Inside of freezer holding sock and rice

My rice-filled sock chilling in the freezer.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)

My main qualm is that the rice doesn’t stay as cool for as long as I’d like it to, and I find myself putting it back in the freezer around three times a day. Because of this, when payday rolls around, I will be treating myself to the Shark ChillPill (£129.99, Amazon) or the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan (£149.99, Currys), which both offer hours of powerful cooling.

Having said that, I do think the rice hack is a great, practically free way to cool down, and is a great temporary solution if you don’t have any other cooling products to hand. However, if you plan on using this hack frequently, place your sock in a ziplock bag before putting it in the freezer to maintain good hygiene.

Kitchen with blue cabinets and a large fridge-freezer in the middle

(Image credit: Future PLC/Philip Lauterbach)

‘If you regularly put and take out the sock with wet rice in it from the freezer, you will eventually get mould, mildew, and a terrible musty odour in your drawers. In order to make this trick fully hygienic and prevent any moisture in your sheets, you have to place the rice-filled sock in a tightly closed Ziploc bag first before freezing it. The moisture becomes blocked off completely, making sure the rice remains perfectly dry,’ says Max Wilson, co-founder at Pocket Storage.

‘Finally, make sure the fabric is right. Only use socks made of pure, thick cotton. Synthetic materials, such as nylon or polyester, cannot tolerate cold temperatures and would lead to ice burns if placed directly on your skin.’

Shop cooling appliances:

As unconventional as a sock filled with frozen rice sounds, it has genuinely helped cool me down when temperatures have soared. I will be saving this trick for the next heatwave!

I Just Discovered the Most Clever Way to Store Handbags Without Eating Up Space

I Just Discovered the Most Clever Way to Store Handbags Without Eating Up Space

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Amazon Prime Day is here, and our editors are sorting through thousands of deals to find the ones actually worth shopping. Shop our favorite furniture, smart home gadgets, cleaning essentials, and more here, now through June 26.

Out of everything in my closet, I would say that purses are the biggest pain to store. For a while, I was hanging them on regular clothes hangers because that method seemed like it took up the least amount of space. But I quickly realized that doing so was not good for the purse straps. Now I keep my handbags on the shelf above my closet’s hanging rod. They take up way more space that way, but at least they’re safe from damage.

I was browsing online for a solution that could help me store my bags more efficiently (without ruining them) when I came across the Wiosi Purse Hangers on Amazon. Shoppers largely agree that this is the brilliant closet solution every handbag-lover needs in their life, and more than 400 of the purse hangers were bought in the previous month. In other words, these hangers might be just what I’ve been looking for.

What Are the Wiosi Purse Hangers?

The purse hangers come in sets of three and retail for $18.95. That’s a relatively high price for one hanger, but reviewers are unanimous in their assertion that the hangers’ sturdiness and impressive storage capacity are well worth it. Each one is made of thick acrylic and features the standard hook head, only it’s coupled with a narrow body instead of your standard wide-shouldered body. To be specific, the part you hang your purses on is just under 2 inches wide, so it’ll barely take up space inside your closet.

Since each hanger measures 1.5 inches deep, that’s how much space your purse straps have to rest on. It’s a generous amount when you consider that most straps don’t measure that wide. This means the straps won’t be crowded or smooshed on the hangers, so they won’t sustain wrinkles or tears as a result of hanging. What’s more, shoppers note that each hanger can comfortably hold up to three purses while maintaining that clean boutique closet appearance and keeping your bags in tip-top shape.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

Regardless of whether your purse collection is large or small, these hangers are a must-have. They’ll help streamline your closet and make your favorite bags more accessible — not to mention, they’ll keep each item in good condition for the long term. And if your bag assortment expands, you can always grab more!

Buy: Wiosi Premium Clear Purse Hangers, Set of 3

Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

Dyson quietly dropped a new smart fan that ‘follows’ you around the room – it’ll keep you consistently cool and comfortable during the heatwave

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Let’s be honest: Dyson is kind of a big deal. This appliance brand has created products to tackle everything from our dirty floors to our wet, unstyled hair, but it’s also known for its impressive, high-quality fans and air purifiers. And the Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool (£549.99 at Dyson) is the latest model to be added to that lineup.

Merging one of the best air purifiers with the best fans, Dyson quietly dropped the Dyson Find+Follow last month. But with minimal marketing and the excitement of the handheld Dyson Hushjet Mini Cool Fan launch overshadowing it, it seems as though the Find+Follow hasn’t been given the attention it deserves. So, allow me to explain – especially as fans are in short supply right now.

On the surface, this air-purifying fan looks very similar to other Dyson models. But this new release is smarter than ever, and solves the biggest problem I have with fans. Namely, the fact that fans don’t account for the ‘pockets’ of hot air you have to deal with when you move around your house.

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Dyson has designed this new purifying fan to automatically track your movements in a room, so it can ‘follow’ you and ensure the cooling, purified air is always pointing towards you.

And if you share your space with others, the air projection system will detect this and automatically adjust the oscillation up to 350° so that the same purified air is shared between you, as long as you’re not in a space larger than 27m².

When it notices that you’ve left the room, it will stop moving and wait for you to return. And if you don’t return within the hour, it’ll switch to Auto mode to maintain the room’s comfort and air quality. Of course, throughout it all, you also get the benefits of using an air purifier during a heatwave, which is a little-known hack to cope with rising temperatures.

Dyson Find+Follow air purifying fan next to a kitchen island, with a person walking in front of it

(Image credit: Dyson)

And as someone who tests air purifying fans and believes they are wholeheartedly worth it, I’m lucky to have a few in my house right now – especially with temperatures soaring and my husband’s hay fever wreaking havoc on his entire being.

However, one problem I’ve always had with fans is that they’re quite restrictive to where you’re sitting or standing in that moment, considering they don’t actually cool a room in the same way portable air conditioners do. And while an oscillating fan is always better than a static fan, oscillation isn’t exactly accurate.

Instead, you just have to hope that the oscillating breeze catches you exactly where you are at the time, distributing the ‘wind chill’ they produce in a way that makes you feel cooler. If it doesn’t, you’re thrust back into a pocket of hot air that UK homes are known for during the hotter months. But that’s where the Find+Follow can help.

Dyson Find+Follow purifying fan sitting in an open-plan kitchen and living room, with a woman sitting on a grey sofa next to it, and a man cooking in the kitchen

(Image credit: Dyson)

Naturally, you may have concerns associated with smart AI technology that uses a camera and 17-point user detection to ‘track’ you around your own house. But to quell one of the biggest concerns I had when I heard about this new appliance, Dyson has confirmed that it is cyber-safe.

The brand explains, ‘Dyson’s Find+Follow AI vision system never identifies anyone and only detects presence. Images are processed instantly within the machine, deleted and never leave the device.’ So, you don’t have to worry about any images or personal data being shared elsewhere.

Dyson Find+Follow purifying fan sitting on the floor in a bedroom, with a woman sleeping in a bed next to it

(Image credit: Dyson)

Despite all of the perks and tech features, though, it’s hard to ignore that an appliance like this comes in at a premium price. At £549.99, it’s not cheap, and it is definitely possible to find an air purifying fan for a lot less.

But if you already think Dyson fans are worth it, and you love new technology, unlike anything you’ve ever seen, it could be an investment worth making. If not, here are some other air purifying fans I’d recommend.

What do you think of Dyson’s new air purifying fan? Could it be your new heatwave hero?

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Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

Amazon is selling a clever gadget that will turn your fan into an air conditioner for under £6 – it’s a quick fix for cooling down on sweaty days

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Design Inspiration

This year, I’ve made the fateful mistake of waiting too long to purchase an air conditioner, and now that the best models have sold out, I’ve been scrambling for ways to achieve a similar cooling effect in my own – and this £5.44 Amazon Fan Mister Attachment is what I’ve settled on.

It’s my own fault, I know. As summers are becoming increasingly hot and muggy, the best portable air conditioners are ever increasing in popularity – so much so, this week we’ve been tracking the stock levels of portable air conditioners.

If you don’t have one of these appliances, or a refreshing misting fan to hand (such as the Shark FlexBreeze, £149.99, Currys), here’s how this affordable fan attachment from Amazon can help.

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Now, this mister attachment won’t exactly turn your fan into an air conditioner, but it will mimic the feeling it provides. It’s essentially any easy way to complete the viral DIY air conditioner hack, which consists of putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan.

This popular cooling hack works because, as the fan blows air over the ice, it evaporates and cools the air, creating an air conditioning effect. While it certainly doesn’t have the power of an air conditioning unit, it will provide the same relief.

The Amazon misting fan attachment works in a similar way. Included, you get a case to hold your ice, and four containers, where you can add water and freeze. The case attaches to your fan via a hook, and cold air blows directly over the ice.

Amazon states it offers four to six hours of consistent cooling. It also says it has a ‘frostbite-proof’ handle, and it is double-sealed to prevent leaks. The attachment is suitable for use on round, square and mesh fans.

Amazon fan mister attachment

(Image credit: Amazon)

Now, this isn’t going to cool your bedroom or living room – it’s simply too small. But if you work from home, or are looking for some personal relief, it is great for attaching to a desk fan and cooling yourself down.

I’m also keen to mention that, obviously, electricity and water do not mix. If you plan to use a mister attachment on your fan, you need to ensure that you are attaching and detaching it when the fan is switched off and unplugged to prevent any potential shocks. If you do get water in your fan, it is advised that you don’t try to use it.

Alternatively, you can use a misting fan. These spray fine droplets of water to help cool you down, without making you or your home feel wet. Then the moisture droplets will create a wind chill effect on your skin as the fan blows against it. Here are a few misting fans that are in stock, and you can shop online.

If you haven’t got a portable air conditioner, will you be testing this mister attachment instead?

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Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

South East Water issues hosepipe ban that will affect over 850,000 customers – everything you need to know

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Design Inspiration

South East Water has issued a hosepipe ban as temperatures begin to spike, with households advised to limit their water usage.

The water company has put an official temporary use ban (TUB) or hosepipe ban on much of the Kent region, and has advised over areas served by the company – Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and East and West Sussex – to pause all usage.

Coming into effect on 3 July – although South East Water is urging customers to adhere to the ban now – this TUB will affect over 850,000 customers. Here’s everything you need to know.

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What we know about the housepipe ban

In a statement issued today (25 June), South East Water stated that demand for drinking water in South East Water’s Kent supply area has reached very high levels in June, driven by the most recent heatwave.

Hedges and lawn with stripes in garden

(Image credit: Future PLC / Colin Poole)

So, to ensure that the company can provide a consistent water service for its customers, it is moving to restrict the use of hoses and sprinklers with ‘immediate effect’. The hosepipe ban comes as some of its customers are currently facing water supply interruptions. Parts of Ashford, Headcorn and Whitstable in Kent have reported no water or low pressure this morning.

It was also revealed earlier this month that the water firm is wasting more than 100 million litres of water per day through leakages. The BBC has reported that this equates to around 500 million cups of tea every single day.

The company states its raw water levels (the water in its reservoirs) are in a good position following a wet winter. However, having experienced just 36% of normal rainfall from March to May and lacking the capacity to treat and pump water has prompted the ban.

Exterior of back of house with extension, patio and lawn

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

‘We completely understand why everyone reaches for the hose when the weather gets this hot. It’s natural to want to enjoy our gardens and cool down, and we know how frustrating it is to hear that restrictions are coming into place,’ David Hinton, Chief Executive Officer, South East Water, said.

‘Our teams have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this summer, but the sheer scale of this sustained heatwave means drinking water is being drawn from our storage tanks faster than it can be treated and refilled. Our absolute priority has to be making sure there is always enough water for everyone’s essential daily needs—like hygiene, drinking and cooking—and that we protect our vulnerable customers.

‘To safeguard that shared supply and prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we sadly need to ask our communities to not use their hosepipes immediately. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect Kent’s water.’

How to water a garden during a hosepipe ban

If you have been affected by a hosepipe ban, don’t despair. There are still ways to water your garden during a hosepipe ban.

Garden brick and flint wall covered with green foliage, and flowers, watering can

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Mark Bolton)

Of course, the simplest and most obvious solution is to use a watering can, which you can fill up from your tap. This allows you to target water exactly where it is needed. We also recommend installing a water butt. This eco-friendly idea has been a huge garden trend this year, allowing you to collect and recycle rainwater in your garden. You can even snap up a space-saving water butt kit for £34.99 on Amazon if you have a small garden.

Provided you’re not watering vegetables or any edible produce, you can also use grey water – such as bathroom sink and shower water, kitchen sink water or bathwater – provided it is free from harmful chemicals.

With these methods, it is possible to water your garden during a heatwave. If your area is under a hosepipe ban, then you need to make sure you adhere to it, as anyone caught breaching an official ban will be issued with a fine of up to £1,000.

Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

6 luxe-look garden furniture sets that are on sale right now at Very – they’re perfect for giving your garden a contemporary glow-up

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Very is hosting a huge summer sale right now, and included is some of its chicest garden furniture – these are my top six pics to give your garden a luxe, WAG-style glow up.

If you’re looking for modern, yet luxury-look pieces, Very is one of the best places to buy garden furniture. It was only last month that we were left impressed by Very’s latest garden furniture collection, which is both purse-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

If the hot weather has persuaded you to make the most of your garden this summer, then here are six contemporary styles from the Very Summer Sale to add to your cart.

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Brisbane 3-Piece Bistro Set

The Brisbane 3-Piece Bistro Set is also on sale at Very.

(Image credit: Very)

Having looked through the very summer sale, my top pick is the Santa Rose 6 Piece Dining Set, which has been reduced from £150 to £74.50, and is an unbelievable deal. If you plan on putting your outdoor kitchen ideas to good use, I can assure you that it is rare to find a six-seater dining set for under £100. Not to mention, the Santa Rose set is also a five-star rated buy.

‘I bought this last week, it’s amazing quality, so easy to put together, took ten minutes. Great value for money,’ one says.

Included in the set are four comfortable grey chairs, a stylish glass table and even a garden parasol – the perfect garden shade idea to keep you cool all summer. But, if that doesn’t take your fancy, here are my top six picks from the Very Summer Sale.

Which piece has caught your eye?

Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

‘Brilliant at keeping the bedroom cool and dark’ – this £6.50 Dunelm buy has shoppers raving about the difference it’s made to their sleep during the heatwave

by | Jun 24, 2026 | Design Inspiration

The UK has just celebrated the summer solstice, the day with the most daylight hours of the year, and on top of that, many parts of the country are currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures predicted to soar to 36°C to 40°C.

That’s a *lot* of heat and light, and whilst we don’t want to wish away the summer weather, there’s no denying that when it comes to how to sleep better, a bedroom that’s too hot and too bright can play havoc with a good night’s rest.

Little wonder then that savvy Dunelm shoppers have been quietly snapping up a £6.50 solution that transforms a hot, bright bedroom into a blissfully cool, dark oasis.

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In many parts of the UK, the sun will rise before 5am during the remainder of June, and when the weather is as hot as it is right now, that means four whole hours of blazing hot sun shining into your bedroom pre-9am.

A bedroom with a bed in front of a large sash window. The bed has white and orange pillows and a white duvet cover

(Image credit: Future PLC / Davide Lovatti)

Curtains and blinds help, of course, but they can still let plenty of heat and light into the room, and with experts keen to point out that blocking light from a room is one of *the* best ways to keep a bedroom cool during a heatwave, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for additional solutions.

The Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind is just that. This pleated paper blind is no-drill and can be trimmed to size and stuck to a bedroom window in a jiffy.

Super quick and easy to install, it’s the perfect solution if you’re looking for a temporary fix to the excess heat, and equally useful if you rent and want to avoid a permanent blind, or aren’t yet confident in your DIY skills.

No wonder Dunelm shoppers can’t stop raving about them. ‘Worth every penny,’ says one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website, ‘they block the light and heat out really well and are easy to trim to size. I am genuinely really impressed by them. They are a bargain too.’

Yellow childrens kids bedroom

(Image credit: Siobhan Doran Studio)

‘Absolutely perfect to block out the morning sun and such an amazing price,’ says another happy owner. ‘These honestly work so well,’ shares another reviewer, ‘brilliant at keeping the bedroom dark and cooler.’

And as Dreams sleep expert and author of the Good Sleep Guide, Sammy Margo explains, a dark bedroom is exactly what’s needed to combat the high temperatures of this week.

In a heatwave, ‘the best way to prevent your bedroom from turning into a greenhouse is by blocking out direct sunlight during the day,’ advises Sammy. ‘You can use blackout curtains or blinds to help keep the heat at bay and reduce overall room temperature.’

‘Keeping windows closed during the hottest parts of the day and only opening them once the air cools in the evening can also make a noticeable difference,’ adds Sammy.

A colourful bedroom with dormer windows and pale pink walls. The double bed is dressed in white bedding with yellow, pink and burgundy accents.

(Image credit: Future PLC / James French)

And whilst Dunelm shoppers might be applauding the performance of the Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind, it isn’t the only option on the market. I’ve rounded up a few quick delivery options below that will help you to darken your bedroom and beat the heat this week.

Alternatives

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Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

Where to position your fan to create a wind chill effect – experts say this quick and easy hack will cool your home fast

by | Jun 24, 2026 | Design Inspiration

The UK is experiencing a massive heat wave this week, with record-breaking temperatures expected in some parts of the country. Already, the best portable air conditioners are selling out, so if you’re getting by with just a couple of fans, you’ll want to try this expert-approved trick for creating a DIY wind chill effect at home to cool your home down fast.

With many of us struggling with the heat, it’s absolutely no surprise that the best fans and portable air conditioners are selling out. But this fan positioning hack, when used correctly, can help cool a room quickly and effectively.

This DIY wind chill hack uses two fans to create a cross breeze in a room, which has a greater cooling effect than how you’d typically use a fan. Disclaimer: You will need to have one fan facing out of the window. Here’s how it works.

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How to create a wind chill at home

Unless you have an effective misting fan (such as the DREO TurboCool Misting Fan, £99, Amazon), it can feel like your fan is blowing hot air around your room, which doesn’t exactly have the cooling effect you’re seeking.

To create the wind chill effect you’re looking for, you’ll need two fans to create a cross breeze. This hack works by creating a funnel of cold air, rather than just circulating warm air around your room.

Coral chairs at a desk in front of window with a floral blind.

(Image credit: Future PLC)

‘Airflow is the key to creating a wind chill effect. Essentially, you need to use a fan to recycle the air. To do this, you need to place one fan facing out a window on the hottest side of the house to act as an exhaust. At the same time, open windows or doors on the opposite, shadier side of the house. The air being pushed out will be replaced by the cooler air being pulled in. You can use a second fan pushing the fresher air in to increase the effect,’ explains Meaco‘s co-founder Chris Michael.

‘This activity is best done late at night or early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler air outside.’

This hack is ideal if you already have a couple of fans to hand. Its main drawback is that it relies on the air outside being cooler than the air inside, so it is best done early in the morning or evening. For an even greater cooling effect, you can also add a bowl of ice to the mix.

Light and airy living room, with a colourful print on the wall, a teal velvet sofa with pink and ochre coloured cushions, pink throw, wood and rattan cabinet and a plant on the floor by the window

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson)

‘For a further cooling effect, place a bowl full of ice cubes or frozen water bottles in front of the fan blowing toward you. As air passes through the ice cubes, it carries away some coolness before hitting you, providing a cooling effect, especially before sleeping,’ adds Max Wilson, co-founder at Pocket Storage.

‘A very common mistake when faced with a heatwave is to try cooling down the whole house. Of course, without an air conditioner, this will be extremely difficult. You need to concentrate your efforts on forming a special ‘cool zone’ in the coldest room in the house.’

Cooling essentials

Will you try creating a wind chill at home to help you see out the heatwave?

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Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

Lidl is selling a portable air conditioner for less than £150 to help beat the heatwave – everything you need to know about when it’s landing in stores

by | Jun 24, 2026 | Design Inspiration

I don’t know about you, but I’m really struggling to keep my home cool. The best portable air conditioners are practically all sold out, and with temperatures set to reach record highs, I’ve been desperately seeking good news – and I’ve found it. Lidl’s affordable portable air conditioner is coming back to the middle aisle!

This week, the Ideal Home team has been diligently tracking the stock levels of portable air conditioners and believe me, they’re selling like hot cakes. If you haven’t managed to find a good deal online, the Lidl Tronic 3-in-1 Air Conditioner (£149) is landing in the middle aisle tomorrow (25 June).

While only available to shop in-store, based on its popularity last year, we predict it will sell out fast. Here’s everything you need to know before you rush out and buy.

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Many homes are ill-equipped to handle the extreme heat we’ve experienced over the last few years. While you may be considering whether installing air conditioning is worth it, a portable AC offers many of the same benefits at a more affordable price point.

At £149, the Lidl Tronic 3-in-1 air conditioner is unbelievably affordable. It has three operating modes: air conditioning, fan cooling and dehumidifying. It also has two fan speeds and transport wheels, making it easy to move around your home so you can cool a bedroom in the evening and keep your living space cool in the day.

The model looks very similar to the portable air conditioner Lidl dropped last summer. So, I expect it will also work best for rooms between 30 and 45m³, like the previous air conditioner. Last year’s air conditioner’s dehumidifying function was able to collect up to 1.5L in a room that’s 30 degrees with an 80% relative humidity, so again, I would expect this year’s model to do the same.

Dreo 318s portable air conditioner set up in a home office

The Dreo 318s Portable Air Conditioner (£399.99 at Amazon) is one of the few portable AC’s left in stock that we’ve tested (and approve of).

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Sarah Handley)

I will say that Lidl’s portable air conditioner is likely to be a more basic model, compared to the higher-end products such as DREO 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (£599, Amazon), or the Bush 9K Portable Air Conditioner (£375, Argos), which is also happens to be the last air con unit in stock at Argos.

However, I do think it is worth testing. I often find Lidl’s middle aisle is a bit of a treasure trove, and I’ve picked up plenty of miscellaneous items from cookware to gym equipment and been impressed each time. I’ve also made the mistake of waiting too long to invest in a portable air conditioner, so you can expect to see me in my local Lidl tomorrow looking for the unit!

As well as the portable air conditioner, Lidl is also selling a £14.99 air cooler, a selection of fans and cooling bedding. Alternatively, here are a few more cooling options that you can shop online.

I believe that the Lidl portable air conditioner will sell out fast. So, if you’re keen to get your hands on one, run, don’t walk.

Alison Hammond’s sock hack is all I’ve used to stay cool this heatwave – it’s easy, free and provides instant relief

I’m using Amazon’s new built-in tool to spot the fake deals from the bargains this Prime Day – this is exactly how it works

by | Jun 24, 2026 | Design Inspiration

This year’s summer Amazon Prime Day event (running from the 23rd to 26th of June) is in full swing, and if you want to shop in the savviest way possible, there’s a new price-checking tool you need to know about.

For years, one of my top tips as Ideal Home’s Kitchen Appliances Editor, who has been working Prime Days as a deal hunter for over five years now, was to use a price checking tool such as CamelCamelCamel to check that you’re not being hoodwinked over a ‘deal’. Often brands will artificially inflate the price of a product prior to a sales event to then bring it down to its normal RRP to create the illusion of a great deal.

Here’s how using this new in-built price checking tool can prevent you from getting a bad deal on one of the best air fryers or coffee machines and help you find a worthwhile one instead.

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You can find this new price-checking tool, which was officially rolled out in the UK in May 2026, next to where you see the price of the item you’re looking for on Amazon. When you click onto it to see the price history, a pop-up window opens with Rufus, the platform’s in-built AI tool.

Amazon's in-built price checking tool

(Image credit: Amazon)

Within the Rufus pop-up you can see a range of information on the product’s price, as well as how it relates to the given RRP. Though this is useful information, I would also suggest going one step further and check Amazon’s given RRP against what’s listed on the brand page.

When shopping one of the best Ninja air fryers, for example, I would always suggest cross referencing with the brand’s own site for a better understanding of prices.

Screenshot of Amazon's new AI tool

(Image credit: Amazon)

While the tool defaults to a one-month view, it has 6-month and 12-month scope available too which will ultimately be even more useful for assessing how good the discount really is. If the price of the item currently is nowhere near what the lowest price over the last year has been, it’s likely that there’s been price-inflating taking place.

I check prices on products that I’ve reviewed every day to see if there’s a deal worth writing about, so I have quite a good sense of the general price of different bestsellers, like Ninja’s Foodi Max Dual Zone air fryer.

As I write this, the day before Prime Day begins, it’s currently sitting at £129.99 via Amazon, which gives you £20 off the usual RRP. But if you click into the year view of the price history, you’ll see that in November (during Black Friday), there was a much bigger price drop with the air fryer for sale for under £100. That means that it may well be worth waiting on this one rather than pouncing right now.

Millie Fender testing the Ninja Dual Zone air fryer

Testing the Ninja Dual Zone air fryer at our test centre.

(Image credit: Future)

In all likelihood, the best deals of this summer will drop during Prime Day itself and during counter-sales run by the likes of AO, Currys and John Lewis. Below you can find the kitchen appliances I think you should bookmark if you’re in the market to upgrade your hosting and entertaining game.

Whatever you end up perusing this Prime Day, remember that doing your due diligence will help no end to help you bag an actually good deal. Happy bargain hunting!