This 1 simple task will protect your home from flooding this winter – experts say now is the best time to do it

by Furnishly | Oct 25, 2025 | Design Inspiration

If you’re short on chores this weekend, experts have revealed one task that needs to be bumped to the top of your to-do list. You need to clear any debris from your outside drains.

You don’t need me to tell you that recently the weather has been pretty dire, which is why it is unsurprising that many of us have been looking for ways to stormproof our homes. With more wet and windy weather on the way next week, experts say you need to clear your drains right now.

Clearing your drains after a storm or bad weather is one of the most important things you should do if you want to floodproof your home. It will help prevent any blockages from forming and keep your drainage system working as it should. Here’s what you need to know.

Why you need to clear your drain now

‘After heavy rain or storms, drains can easily and quickly become blocked with leaves, mud and other debris that’s washed in. When this debris builds up, it restricts how easy water flows, and can even cause water to back up into your property or garden,’ says Laurence Barwick-Smith, wastewater and drainage specialist at KEE.

‘In some of the more severe cases, this can lead to flooding or structural damage to your home, but in minor cases, it can lead to standing water around the drains that takes a long time to go down or doesn’t go down at all. By clearing your drains after stormy weather, this helps prevent these issues, allowing for proper water flow that imposes no threat to your garden or home.’

As a general rule of thumb, you should clear your outdoor drains of debris every few months. But during the winter months, it becomes more important to clear debris from your outdoor drains more regularly as the weather is worse than in summer. Because of this, it’s also a good idea to clear debris from your drains before a storm, or even just when bad weather rolls in.

‘Clearing drains ahead of bad weather is also a good idea as it can prevent flooding if your drains are blocked, as blocked drains will be unable to handle heavy rainfall and can cause water damage to your home,’ explains Jess Thomas, managing director of Drainage Central.

‘Preventing flooding from occurring in the first place will also help you to avoid having to pay for costly repairs. Prior to a storm or bad weather, you should also inspect the gutters, drains and downpipes for any damage. Loose downpipes and gutters can be damaged and even removed by heavy winds, which can lead to displaced joints or cracking. Damaged areas like this can allow water to escape, or it can create a point where debris can become caught and cause a blockage.’

How to clear debris from your outdoor drains

An easy, cheap method you can use is washing-up liquid to clear your drains. It’s great for breaking down grease and grime in your drain that can quickly become blockages. However, for large pieces of debris, you can remove it by hand.

‘Always start by wearing gloves that go up to your elbows for safety. Then, start removing visible debris such as leaves, twigs, foliage, and sludge from the drain entrance. You can then use a drain rod or even a pressure washer to try and dislodge any further buildup that’s further down the pipe, if you find that water still isn’t running freely,’ says Laurence.

‘If you have particularly persistent blockages or constant slow draining water, it’s definitely best to call in a professional drainage engineer.’

Don’t put off this vital autumn job this weekend. Clearing your outdoor drains is not the most exciting or glamorous of tasks, but it is one you need to do now. You’ll thank yourself when the next batch of bad weather rolls in.

I hate cleaning, which is why I’m trying social media’s latest craze to clean my home – I can do it from my phone

by Furnishly | Oct 24, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Do you hate cleaning? If finding the motivation and then keeping it going is something you struggle with, then the current viral trend of dopamine cleaning could be exactly the tonic you need to get up and start cleaning.

I’ve always felt slightly suspicious of people who earnestly say they love cleaning. I can think of lots of things I love, and cleaning doesn’t make the top ten. Of course, I enjoy a tidy home, and I have a cleaning schedule I follow religiously (out of obligation, of course).

When I’m cleaning, I’m cleaning for the reward of a peaceful, tidy home that smells good (thanks to the best cleaning products around). And that’s what dopamine cleaning is all about – reward. Using apps to earn points and rewards, social media has found a new way to clean.

What is dopamine cleaning?

Scrolling through TikTok and Instagram recently, I have seen countless videos of users using ‘cleaning apps’. By turning cleaning to-do lists into games, these cleaning apps are designed to make chores fun and rewards rather than, well, chores.

‘People are realising that cleaning can actually feel good when it’s framed as progress instead of punishment. Content on apps such as TikTok, which is home to ‘cleantok’, tap into that dopamine hit we get from ticking things off a list – it’s gamifying the everyday, and right now, people really respond to that as it’s something achievable you go do at home for a bit of feel good,’ explains Luke Arnel-Cameron, founder of Yass Clean and popular Clean-toker on TikTok.

So-called ‘cleaning apps’ have risen in popularity alongside self-care and well-being apps, which help users track everything from their sleep to their mood and energy levels. Popular cleaning apps include Sweepy, which creates a cleaning schedule for users and even allows them to compete against family members and earn points for completed chores.

‘Apps like Sweepy or Tody break cleaning into manageable goals, rewarding you for ticking them off, which keeps motivation high. It helps you pause from the mindless, endless scrubbing and get a sense of satisfaction from the progress,’ says Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager, Total Clean.

‘These tools help households stay organised, delegate tasks fairly, and keep everyone accountable, which can ease a lot of domestic tension. They also create regular cleaning habits that naturally improve hygiene and comfort.’

If you’re a person who struggles with decision fatigue or motivation when it comes to cleaning, these apps’ sole purpose is to make chores more manageable and even fun. You may go from hating having to clean your oven to racing to tick it off your list. It is important, however, not to rely solely on apps to complete chores.

‘The only downside is relying too much on the app for motivation. It’s a great kickstarter, but the goal should be to build lasting habits, so eventually, the satisfaction of a clean space becomes the reward itself,’ confirms Luke.

‘For a lot of people, getting started is the hardest part. When you add a little structure and instant reward, it turns cleaning from a chore into a challenge – and that shift makes all the difference,’ says Luke.

Whether you’re looking to motivate yourself or even other family members who may not be pulling their weight when it comes to cleaning, apps can introduce a fun and competitive edge. Would you be up for the challenge?

Get your cleaning caddy ready

This £5 hack is what experts swear by to stop your gutters blocking in winter – and you can install it yourself

by Furnishly | Oct 24, 2025 | Design Inspiration

It probably hasn’t escaped your attention that the weather forecast this past week has been an unpleasant combination of wet and windy, and one area of your home that may be feeling the strain in particular is your gutters. If you’ve noticed your guttering is prone to clogging, then gutter mesh could be exactly what you need to fix it – and you can pick gutter mesh up for under £5 on Amazon.

Gutter mesh, otherwise known as gutter guards, is a handy, inexpensive measure that will help prevent your gutters from clogging, saving you time and money in the process. Did I also mention that they mean you don’t have to clean your gutters as often? A fabulous incentive in my book…

With the forecast set to get wetter and windier as we head deeper into the colder months, experts are urging homeowners to install gutter mesh now. Here’s how it may help you.

What is gutter mesh?

First things first, let’s uncover what gutter mesh actually is. Essentially, gutter mesh is a type of strong netting that sits in your gutter, catching debris while allowing water to flow through as intended.

‘Gutter mesh is a fine mesh material that is placed over the top of a gutter to prevent debris from entering. This mesh allows rainwater to flow through the gutter, whilst creating a barrier from leaves, twigs and debris,’ says Jamie Heath, plumbing and drainage expert from Build & Plumb.

‘Gutter mesh keeps out debris and deters pests, like birds and insects, from nesting in your gutters, preventing clogs and overflowing water. A clogged gutter can prevent water from being channelled away from your home, causing your gutters to overflow and water to seep into your roof and walls. Roof leaks can result in wood rot and dampness, which over time can result in structural damage and costly repairs.’

Why you should install gutter mesh now

The main benefit of these mesh barriers is that they obviously stop blockages. It can be expensive to both unblock and in some instances, replace gutters, with cleaning charges ranging between £50 and £300 depending on the size of the job, according to Checkatrade.

Gutter mesh can increase the lifespan of your gutters as well as help to prevent pests and freezing, according to Jess Thomas, managing director of Drainage Central.

‘When debris causes blockages in your gutters, it can allow water to pool in them. This moisture can potentially increase the likelihood of the guttering becoming rusty if it is left for prolonged periods,’ Jess says.

‘If your gutter is filled with debris, water may not channel away properly. If the temperature drops, this can make the water freeze and prevent your gutter from channelling water away as it should.’

Preventing blockages will also stop potential leaks from entering your home, too. This is when blockages occur, water can leak into your home via the roof and walls, potentially causing damp, mould and condensation.

However, for your gutter mesh to work as it should, Jess emphasises the need to keep it well-maintained.

‘To properly maintain gutter mesh, you should regularly inspect the mesh for signs of damage and clean any buildup from the surface of the mesh. Some mesh may need to be removed a few times a year so that the gutters can be cleaned properly of any fine debris that has managed to get through. You should also still check that water can flow through the gutters by periodically flushing them, which can help to dislodge smaller debris,’ Jess recommends.

‘Gutter mesh is a good method to prevent some blockages, but not all. They can still become clogged by smaller debris, and should instead only be relied upon to reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning instead of eliminating this task. Moss can still grow on top of or through the guards, and they may not prevent debris like seeds or dirt from blocking the gutter.’

Gutter mesh is an inexpensive and reliable method to prevent blockages and keep your gutters in good working order. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable installing it yourself, you should ask a trusted professional – after all, cleaning gutters is a cleaning job I wouldn’t do myself. But it’s a small price to pay for a home that’s well-protected against the elements.