This £4 supermarket buy has made my kitchen bin smell like a spa retreat – I’m not lying, it genuinely smells divine

by Furnishly | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

This summer, I’ve been testing out Febreze’s new Bin Fresheners (£5.99, Amazon), and I’m not lying when I say my bin actually smells good?! They’ve been brilliant at banishing bad smells from my kitchen bins.

In hot weather, it doesn’t take long until rubbish starts to smell and fruit flies flock to your home as a result. While we all should be cleaning a kitchen bin regularly during summer, sometimes this isn’t enough to stop the pong.

So, any product that promises to stop my bin from smelling, I’m more than willing to try. And I was genuinely left impressed with Febreze’s new Bin Fresheners. My bin has never smelled so good.

When I moved into my flat last year, I swapped out a standard plastic waste bin for Habitat’s 55 Litre Twin Compartment Pedal Bin (£70) as its space-saving design was better suited to my small kitchen. It’s proved incredibly easy to clean, and I’ve noticed fewer smells leak through than a kitchen bin.

However, during this year’s heat waves, I have noticed bad smells when I open the lid. So, when I got my hands on the Febreze Bin Fresheners, I was excited to try them. They’re incredibly easy to use. You simply clean and dry the lid, insert the fragrance capsule into the holder and stick it to the lid via its adhesive liner.

And from that moment onwards, there genuinely is a big difference between how my bin smelt before and after. I’d opted for the Outdoor Fresh scent, and every time I opened my bin it smelt almost spa-like. And no, that’s not a sentence I ever thought I’d write.

The fragrance pods last up to 45 days in a row, and in my experience, mask smells for that entire time. Febreze claims the fresheners fight up to 99% of common bin odours. I’m inclined to agree.

Having tested the fresheners out on my regular waste bin, I’m planning to pick up more pods and apply one to my food waste bin. I currently use the bicarbonate of soda hack to stop my food waste bin from smelling, but Febreze’s pods have proved more effective in my experience with my general waste bin.

Of course, you shouldn’t replace good bin hygiene with fragrance. Febreze’s pods are not designed to clean your bin, simply to mask poor smells. However, I have also noticed a reduction in flies this year compared to last year in my kitchen. Flies are attracted to decomposing food and rubbish, so your bin is a hotspot for attracting them. But while my bin now smells great to me, it’s less attractive for flies.

This handy little cleaning buy has earned a permanent place on my list of best cleaning products. It’s managed to make the inside of my kitchen bin smell like a spa retreat, and that is something short of a miracle.

If flies are plaguing your home right now, this expert-approved DIY trap is a game-changer – it uses two pantry staples I bet you already have at home

by Furnishly | Aug 5, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’re struggling to get rid of flies this summer, then why not try making a yeast trap? And yes, you can use the affordable, fast-acting yeast you can pick up in the supermarket.

One of the main downsides of summer is the large swarms of flies that try to set up shop in your home and garden. If these buzzing pests are driving you bonkers right now, don’t worry, there are plenty of effective ways to get rid of flies.

This includes making a yeast trap. By mixing sugar and yeast, you can make an irresistible trap flies are drawn to. I asked a pest expert for his top tips on making the trap as effective as possible.

You’ll probably already be aware of the cider vinegar trap, which is excellent at getting rid of fruit flies from your kitchen. But did you know that a yeast and sugar mix works just as well?

‘Take a plastic bottle and cut the top third off. Mix warm water with a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of active dry yeast in the bottom section and stir briefly. Invert the cut top section into the bottle to create a funnel and secure it with tape. The funnel directs flies in but makes it very difficult for them to find their way back out. Place it in the area where you are seeing the most fly activity, near a bin, fruit bowl or outdoor seating area,’ explains Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.

‘The fermenting yeast produces carbon dioxide and warm, sweet-smelling vapour that mimics the signals flies associate with food and organic matter. Flies are drawn in through the funnel opening, become disorientated inside the bottle and cannot locate the exit. The funnel shape is key. It works because flies instinctively fly upward to escape, and the narrowing funnel prevents them from finding the opening they entered through.’

Is this a good method to use?

The yeast and sugar hack is a really easy and affordable trick that works. It is the CO2 in the fermenting yeast that attracts the flies; however, you need to ensure you use a fresh mixture that is actively fermenting. Because of this, you’ll want to replace the trap every two to three days and get rid of your captured flies during this time.

‘If you are catching a significant number of flies, the simplest approach is to dispose of the whole bottle and make a fresh one. If you want to reuse the bottle, seal it in a bag before opening to prevent flies escaping, rinse thoroughly and make a fresh mixture. The whole setup costs pennies to make and replace,’ adds Mosh.

The main drawback of this method is that it doesn’t eliminate the source of your fly infestation. It’s worth looking into ways to stop flies coming into your home and trying preventative measures such as scents flies hate or plants that deter flies to make your home as unwelcoming as possible. You should remove all food sources and attractants such as old sponges and stinky bins. If the problem persists, it is a good idea to consult a professional.

‘It [the method] is genuinely effective, completely chemical-free and costs almost nothing. The limitation is that it catches individual flies rather than addressing the breeding source. If you have a significant fly problem, track down where they are breeding – a drain, a bin or uncovered food waste – and address that alongside the trap. Used together, the trap catches adults while removing the source reduces the next generation,’ Mosh concludes.

If you’re looking for an easy, cheap and most importantly effective way to get rid of flies this summer, give this yeast trap a try.

Hot countries swear by this clever fix to keep mosquitoes out of their homes – and now it’s finally becoming popular in the UK

by Furnishly | Aug 1, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’ve been eaten alive by mosquitoes this summer, a fly screen may be the clever solution worth investing in, especially as experts are saying hotter summers are on the cards.

We all want to get rid of mosquitoes and keep them out of our homes, but due to the weather, I’ll bet you’ve been leaving your windows open overnight, allowing these pests an entryway into your home.

A fly screen acts as a physical barrier to these pests, whilst allowing fresh, cool air into your home. You’ve probably spotted these abroad in warmer climates like Spain, and experts say they are becoming more popular in the UK.

Should you invest in a fly screen?

‘As someone who deals with fly and mosquito infestations professionally, my honest answer is yes, and they are one of the most cost-effective preventative measures available. Most indoor fly problems I attend could have been significantly reduced by basic window screening. The issue is rarely that flies are impossible to stop. It is that homes have no physical barrier at all,’ answers Mosh Latifi, co-owner, EcoCare Pest Management.

And due to the warm weather, insect screen manufacturer Appeal Shading is already seeing an increase in demand for fly screens.

‘Warmer temperatures generally create more favourable conditions for many flying insects, so it’s reasonable to expect that homeowners may notice more flies, mosquitoes and other insects during longer, hotter summers. While insect activity will always depend on local weather and environmental conditions, we’re seeing more people looking for practical ways to enjoy natural ventilation without inviting insects indoors. A fitted insect screen allows you to keep windows and doors open for fresh air while helping to keep unwanted pests outside,’ said Tina Loveland, senior designer at Appeal Shading

With plenty of different fly screens on offer, there is one for every budget. From a bespoke fitted screen to this Amazon magnetic fly screen (£26.99), and even string door curtains (£8.99, Amazon), it’s easy to find affordable solutions for your home. You can also DIY a fly screen using fly mesh (£8.95, Amazon), and it might be wise to use scents mosquitoes hate around your home to deter them.

‘The best solution for bedroom windows is one that’s easy to live with. A bespoke retractable insect screen lets you keep the room cool with natural ventilation overnight, while helping to prevent flying insects from getting inside. Because the screen is tailor-made and colour matched to your window frames, it blends into the home and doesn’t detract from the look of the room,’ says Tina.

Mosh says it’s important to invest in a well-rated, quality screen. After all, there’s not much point if it doesn’t work to keep mosquitoes out.

‘For bedrooms, a fitted frame screen with a finer mesh is worth the investment. A bedroom window is often open all night, which is exactly when mosquitoes are most active. A poorly fitted or low-quality screen with gaps at the edges is almost as bad as no screen at all. Magnetic or tension-fit screens that sit flush with the frame and leave no gaps are the best removable option for bedrooms if a fitted screen is not practical,’ he says.

If mosquitoes are plaguing your home a fly screen really can make a big difference. We say yes, it’s worth the investment.

Stop leaving your food waste bin on the kitchen worktop – this is where waste experts say you should try storing it during the summer

by Furnishly | Jul 30, 2026 | Design Inspiration

During hot weather, I’ve accepted that I need to empty my food waste bin daily or it will start to stink. But waste experts have just put me onto a slightly unconventional method that completely halts the decomposition process. All it requires is freezer space…

Even thinking about bad bin smells is enough to make me gag, so I welcome any method that promises to stop a bin from smelling the heat. Since the introduction of Simpler Recycling rules, every household in England will now have a food waste caddy in their kitchens.

If you’ve been struggling to stop your food waste bin from smelling, you might want to try this hack. Provided you have enough freezer space, all you have to do is put your food waste in the freezer and say goodbye to unpleasant aromas.

Can you put food waste in the freezer?

I’d first spotted this hack in the comment section of a TikTok and instantly baulked at the idea of putting my food waste in with my actual food. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense – after all, freezing the food would halt the decomposition process – and so I decided to get an expert’s opinion.

‘Storing a food waste bin in the freezer can be a good idea, particularly during hot weather when food waste tends to break down more quickly, leaving unwanted odours. Freezing food waste helps slow bacterial growth, preventing the decomposition process that causes those unpleasant smells. This can make it a practical solution for households that struggle with smells in the kitchen,’ AO’s refrigeration expert, Jade Golding-Gault, explained to me.

‘The main benefit of this hack is it minimises unwanted odours in your kitchen. By keeping food waste frozen, you’re pausing the processes that cause smells to develop. It can also help deter fruit flies and other pests that are attracted to food waste, which is particularly helpful in the summer when they are more common. For households with infrequent food waste collections, it can be an easy way to keep kitchens clean and fresh between pick-ups.’

Of course, the main drawback of this hack is that it requires a lot of space. If you have a small kitchen and even smaller fridge/ freezer, this hack might not be suitable for you. For example, I have an under-the-counter fridge/ freezer, and my freezer is one small drawer – so unfortunately, this won’t be a hack I can use.

‘Storing food waste scraps in the freezer takes up valuable space that could be used for real food, especially if you have a small freezer. After taking the frozen waste out of the freezer, there is the chance that the scraps may turn soft and begin to leak water as they warm up on the way to the bin. Wet or heavy waste can also tear thin plastic bags, causing additional cleanup,’ says Ryan Kalia, a waste and bin specialist at Kingfisher Direct.

There are also hygiene considerations to take into account, too. Unwanted odours can transfer into the food in your freezer if your waste isn’t sealed properly, and you should remember it will immediately start decomposing again once you remove it from the freezer – so you should only store it for a limited time.

If you do lack freezer space to try this hack, don’t worry; here are a few small space-friendly methods to stop your food waste bin from smelling.

‘Freezing food waste can be a useful option if you are bothered by odours or pests in your kitchen, but it shouldn’t be necessary for every household. Regularly emptying your food waste bin, keeping it clean, using compostable liners and storing it away from direct sunlight can often be enough to keep odours under control. For those with limited freezer space, maintaining a clean food waste bin is usually a more practical long-term solution,’ concludes Jade.

It’s an unusual hack, but one that does work to reduce food waste smells – would you try it?