Helen McCue
Helen started reviewing home and kitchen appliances in 2007 at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has never looked back. She’s now freelance and reviews all sorts of appliances from her home in a pretty village in the UK. Despite having reviewed hundreds of coffee machines in her time, she’s only recently developed a love for coffee and a daily coffee habit, which makes tasting all those coffees much more enjoyable!
Latest articles by Helen McCue
![Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FfVhMNDyCDXJXPPG77C2X8-320-80.jpg)
Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review
By Helen McCue published
The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is a premium smart air fryer that’s a bit like having your own personal chef at home. The best part? It’s not a gimmick.
![Nespresso vertuo next to a cappuccino](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fcFc6HpqTniPRGA3cAkDUD-320-80.jpg)
Best Nespresso machine 2024: all the top models compared
By Millie Fender last updated
Nespresso machines come in all shapes and sizes - we're rounding up all the best models on the market right now.
![SMEG Professional High Performance Blender](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sJ9WcLHUWwYbEx4QyNtTUo-320-80.jpg)
"An expensive blender that means business" — a home economist reviews the Smeg Professional Blender
By Helen McCue published
The Smeg High Performance Blender strays from Smeg's retro designs, but this modern blender comes with a high price tag.
![Our Place Wonder Oven](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n7LEumtXteYkXc7PUgTUV6-320-80.jpg)
I tried the sold-out Our Place Wonder Oven for a week — does it live up to the hype?
By Helen McCue published
The Our Place Wonder Oven is cute, compact, and effortlessly simple to use, but it comes with compromises in both performance and design.
![Someone wearing gloves removing the lid from a bottle of bleach](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6ddqDFbifg9eZH7XuAFMHR-320-80.jpg)
7 things you never knew you could clean with bleach
By Helen McCue published
Bleach might be a go-to substance for killing germs, but did you know there are other things it can be used to clean?
![Woman packing Christmas tree](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HEyE8QPL4kStvBNsk4zHJk-320-80.jpg)
7 places you should never store your Christmas tree
By Helen McCue last updated
Before you put away your festive decorations, avoid these 7 places when storing your Christmas tree.
![People removing pizza slices from a takeaway box](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WbPdArbyYXL9LegGfwdkpQ-320-80.jpg)
7 things you should never recycle — you’ll be surprised
By Helen McCue published
You might think you're doing your part for the planet, but you'll be surprised that these things can’t be recycled.
![Three rolled up towels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b8i93HwJGNbDvXdmoWu3J4-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to make towels soft and fluffy — without a dryer
By Helen McCue published
We’ve found 7 ways to keep your towels soft and fluffy, even if you don’t own a dryer.
![Christmas tree pine needles and baubles swept up in a dustpan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iRGeGBbSiyaYGGDufcMfBg-320-80.jpg)
How to clean up Christmas tree pine needles with ease
By Helen McCue published
Keep those pesky pine needles under control with these top tips.
![Nespresso machines on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qgXSsFZju4vvfekcxABFTZ-320-80.jpg)
Nespresso Lattissima One review
By Helen McCue published
The Nespresso Lattissima One can automatically dispense hot frothy milk, but only in small amounts.
![Nespresso Machine on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qSb5737x6gZqTpnirD4P4m-320-80.jpg)
Nespresso Essenza Mini review
By Helen McCue published
The Nespresso Essenza Mini is a tiny, discreet coffee maker ideal for small spaces.
![toilet flushing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HZUP85FVdNKs7YYMvFT6dD-320-80.jpg)
9 things you should never flush down the toilet
By Helen McCue last updated
Avoid clogged pipes and damaging the environment by keeping these things out of your toilet.
![Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus sitting on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6ziLM3GEn5qrnc5aMFF65i-320-80.jpg)
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus review
By Helen McCue published
The Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus bridges the gap between convenience and control.
![Nespresso Pixie on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FLmUfcXej2MLVEtQTpoKEC-320-80.jpg)
Nespresso Pixie review
By Helen McCue published
The Nespresso Pixie is a compact and sturdy capsule coffee maker that’s great for small spaces.
![Nespresso Vertuo Next sitting on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tGxD9rRJJXxmUrmR3oseYf-320-80.jpg)
Nespresso Vertuo Next review
By Helen McCue published
Packed with all the latest features Nespresso has to offer, the Nespresso Vertuo Next takes the hassle out of brewing coffee.
![Chinese wisteria flowers on a stone wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/36A9e76qxc3mi6LGW2XnyE-320-80.jpg)
7 best plants to grow on a wall
By Helen McCue published
Want to cover up a wall in your backyard? These are the plants to get.
![A flower bed full of peonies and perennials](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mPCFDEqqYuDVuhr5DphgCh-320-80.jpg)
9 best plants that grow back every year
By Helen McCue last updated
Want an ongoing display of flowers in your yard? We’ve found the 9 best perennials for repeated blooms.
![Japanese Maple Tree](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QbSc8EjYiB52S4XmL2fHf7-320-80.jpg)
7 best small trees for a compact yard
By Helen McCue published
Is your yard tight for space? We’ve found 7 small trees which won’t become overbearing.
![An ice cube tray on a chopping board](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/txU32zB3LNFxUXCX3i7QPd-320-80.jpg)
7 clever uses for an ice cube tray
By Helen McCue published
Ice cube trays can be used for more than just freezing water and we've rounded up some clever ways to get more from them
![Rain on flowers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JgwTC2KvBiry9rBa2388BN-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to collect and reuse rainwater
By Helen McCue published
Want to save on your water bills? Here’s how you can collect and recycle rainwater
![A bread machine and an open oven which is baking bread](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QRxW8tuJStZDeoHrx7qbYG-320-80.jpg)
Bread machine vs oven — which is better?
By Helen McCue published
Stuck between buying a bread machine or using your oven? Here, we breakdown the differences.
![aluminum foil on wooden surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wjF22X282MtrgrXk33H5e7-320-80.jpg)
7 surprising uses for aluminum foil
By Helen McCue published
Aluminum foil is great for roasting and baking, but we’ve found 7 more clever ways you can use it.
![A peace lily in a wicker basket on a floor next to curtains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8MzQkEc3CN5PxHEtu3hAKm-320-80.jpg)
7 best plants to reduce indoor air pollution
By Helen McCue published
Want to improve your air quality at home? These plants can help