Katie Mortram
Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances, to laundry products, to gardening tools. She also covers smart home technology, so is the best point of contact for any product recommendations around the home! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, having previously worked for the Good Housekeeping Institute as a Product Tester and the Manager of the Homes department.
Consequently, she has extensive experience in developing testing protocols as well as a knowledgeable background in her field. She specializes in MDAs, such as washing machines and dishwashers, but she also has a passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions. As a result, she’s constantly giving advice on ways to reduce energy as well as water consumption around the home.
In her time at Tom’s Guide, she has also compiled countless ‘how to clean’ features, and her home is immaculate as a result. If you need advice on stain removal, or want to remove limescale from your shower door, she’s got you covered. Katie has tested all kinds of appliances in her home, including electric kettles, coffee machines and robot vacuums to name a few, so she knows the difference between a satisfactory performance and a quality product. Her aim is to help every consumer find the best product to suit their circumstances, whatever the budget and preferences.
Latest articles by Katie Mortram
![A woman carrying four sweaters while also wearing one](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8Rf8jSTpRBbbz4Zox5uxcE-320-80.jpg)
How to unshrink a sweater without damaging it
By Katie Mortram published
Knowing how to unshrink a sweater can get your favorite knitwear looking like new again.
![A birdhouse with a great tit perched on it hung on a tree in the winter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3mneXccjHbYvpBivyRv2AD-320-80.jpg)
How to attract birds into your garden this winter
By Katie Mortram published
Want more birds to frequent your garden this winter? Here are 7 ways you can encourage birds to visit.
![Pink rubber gloves holding a spray bottle and a pink scrubber](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dknbE5CMSjpuWDDv8rWdyJ-320-80.jpg)
9 gross things you forget to clean around your home
By Katie Mortram last updated
How thoroughly do you clean your home? Here are 9 gross things everyone forgets to clean.
![The lenses of an Meta Quest 2 which will demonstrate how to clean Meta Quest 2 lenses.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GgEzBX8o4K9JKeFeKkrqC4-320-80.jpg)
How to clean Meta Quest 2 lenses quickly and safely
By Katie Mortram last updated
Here we break down how to clean Meta Quest 2 lenses quickly and effectively, so you don’t have to look at fingerprints anymore.
![A woman stood with hands on hips holding cleaning products while looking at the kitchen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ft6Mr4mY8uJQg2tTxn8BtQ-320-80.jpg)
7 kitchen cleaning mistakes you’re making right now
By Katie Mortram published
What’s the point in cleaning if it’s counterproductive? Here are 7 kitchen cleaning mistakes you never knew you were making.
![A cast iron skillet with spices on a cloth on a wooden surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZSvdDA6F6Ug99PYkauqo3C-320-80.jpg)
5 signs it’s time to replace your cast iron skillet
By Katie Mortram published
Cast iron skillets last forever right? Sadly that’s not always the case. Here are 5 signs that your cast iron skillet needs an update.
![A woman carrying a stack of baskets filled with clothes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vy9tfMtZnvdD34RoymF2VH-320-80.jpg)
9 things you’re hoarding, which you should throw away right now
By Katie Mortram published
Even the most organized of housekeepers can hang onto things they shouldn’t. Here are 9 things most people are guilty of hoarding, and why you should get rid of them.
![limescale on shower head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9ZT8MHLETGFdabnXPh7hac-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to prevent limescale in your shower
By Katie Mortram published
Is your shower full of limescale? Here are 7 ways you can prevent it in the future.
![An open freezer with a drawer pulled out, filled with frozen produce](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h6UyUcE4W2SsGwYErvvgiE-320-80.jpg)
How long will food last in your freezer?
By Katie Mortram published
Here’s how long you can keep food in the freezer before the quality starts to degrade.
![Close up of an item of clothing which is pilling](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7JcwAhPq69nXefbqc4QNmV-320-80.jpg)
How to remove pilling from clothes to restore your sweaters
By Katie Mortram published
Are tiny bobbles ruining your favorite sweater? Here’s how to remove pilling from clothes, so you can make it look like new.
![Dirty Cast Iron Skillet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x5wFadSKtSSPBiW4hqHjZ5-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a cast iron skillet and remove rust
By Cynthia Lawrence, Katie Mortram last updated
Cast iron skillets are an essential cooking tool, but they can show burn marks quickly. Here’s how to get it looking like new again
![How to clean a dishwasher — a picture of a clean dishwasher](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tj3BVVRSRsmjqhzrM4YTPk-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a dishwasher
By Katie Mortram last updated
Noticed your dishwasher has started to smell? It’s time to give it a clean — here’s how you do it.
![A bottle of liquid laundry detergent next to a scoop filled with powder laundry detergent next to some clothes pegs and towels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JSevUziNYH2EQCo7cXsUzk-320-80.jpg)
Powder vs liquid detergent: which is best for your laundry?
By Katie Mortram last updated
Ever wondered which is better — powder vs liquid detergent? Here, we breakdown the benefits behind each of these options and help you decide which is best.
![Someone cleaning mold from a surface with a red sponge and cleaner to demonstrate how to get rid of mold](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SSRpbXGwTg2iHncYnyGrQS-320-80.jpg)
How to get rid of mold and stop it from coming back
By Katie Mortram last updated
Need to know how to get rid of mold? Here, we cover every step you need to take, as well as how to stop it from coming back.
![Philips Hue Go Portable Light on a bedside table with someone preparing to sleep next to it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dBVfL7HyM5K3z8pGcfcHHf-320-80.jpg)
I turned this smart light into a sunrise alarm clock — and it’s a game changer
By Katie Mortram published
Here’s what happened when our Homes Editor used a portable smart light as a sunrise alarm clock.
![A range of cleaning products and tools on a wooden surface, including bleach, a squeegee, a sponge and spray bottles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2bDGXVwP95fpm9hzGoFnvk-320-80.jpg)
I write cleaning tips for a living — here’s what you will find in my cleaning cupboard
By Katie Mortram published
Our Homes Editor has written no end of cleaning tips and tricks. But what does she actually keep in her own cleaning cupboard?
![A cast iron skillet with a cut steak, a bulb of garlic and a sprig of rosemary cooking within next to grated salt](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o5uQWq8xJ5e9tPXJBUWL8J-320-80.jpg)
5 mistakes you’re making with your cast iron skillet
By Katie Mortram published
While cast iron skillets are indeed hardy, we’ve found five mistakes which you could be making with this pan right now.
![Two silicone Sport Band bands for the Apple Watch in pink and blue on a pink background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mVPNihvFW2nnsV84nwTrCU-320-80.jpg)
How to clean an Apple Watch band and make it look like new
By Katie Mortram last updated
Has your band seen better days? Follow these top tips on how to clean an Apple Watch band to make it new again.
![Woman loading a dishwasher in the kitchen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7ddtiQJxjUbeJiLU56CwjL-320-80.jpg)
How to load a dishwasher the right way
By Katie Mortram last updated
If you've ever wondered how to load a dishwasher the right way, follow these top tips.
![How to clean your washing machine](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JagFePcSjdgNoMFznpseHP-320-80.jpeg)
How to clean a washing machine
By Katie Mortram last updated
Noticed the drum has a stale smell? That means it’s time to clean your washing machine, here’s how.
![An air fryer filled with seasoned vegetables](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bWZStbogRyik9ipTuVpmf4-320-80.jpg)
9 things you should never put in an air fryer
By Katie Mortram last updated
Air fryers are great for cooking most things, but here are things you should never put in them.
![A running washing machine next to a laundry hamper with towels and pillows](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tFSkt3wec7GTTG3DZYoTTh-320-80.jpg)
9 ways to make your washing machine less noisy
By Katie Mortram published
Is your washing machine making a ruckus? Here are 9 ways to reduce the noise.
![A damp wall in a home which has developed mold, with a plant and radiator in front of it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NtsLzkqMYXgsikAmrhRu26-320-80.jpg)
9 ways to prevent mold in your home
By Katie Mortram published
Worried about mildew? Here are 9 ways you can prevent mold from growing in your home.