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
![Two squirrels perched on top of an outdoor chair](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u77AHKDCXVZkze9K4YdC4F-320-80.jpg)
7 plants that repel squirrels and keep them out of your yard
By Katie Mortram published
Want to keep squirrels out of your yard? Try growing any of these 7 plants.
![A selection of flower beds surrounding a lawn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GVPzHSbBXWMsXJdBteE7nf-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes that are ruining your flower beds
By Katie Mortram published
Flower beds can make for a beautiful display in your yard. But, are you ruining things by making any of these 7 mistakes?
![College students doing laundry](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pAc7CKkN4pTtjrysu7UDQk-320-80.jpg)
9 laundry tips every college student should know
By Cynthia Lawrence last updated
It’s not the most exciting chore for college students, but these laundry tips can make all the difference in saving time and getting the job done right.
![A cockroach sitting on a sponge in the kitchen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U4bWFCL49K7fAdB6GQze9E-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to keep bugs out of your house
By Katie Mortram published
Do bugs frequent your home? We’ve found 7 ways to pest-proof your property.
![A woman trying to keep cool in front of an electric fan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Nkqz3ENwCMKF5Zc9xnDpZ-320-80.jpg)
How to cool down a room in a heatwave — 10 essential tips
By Katie Mortram last updated
Need to know how to cool down a room? Here, we cover 10 tips and tricks to bring down the temperature.
![Someone mopping a tiled floor with a flat mop and yellow bucket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r3rcqAL4xrkekBbUXSD9em-320-80.jpg)
7 mopping mistakes which are ruining your floor
By Katie Mortram published
Mopping the floors can give them a shiny streak-free finish. But, there are 7 common mistakes which can do more harm than good.
![Woman suffering from heat at home sitting in front of fan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K2TBinVitNb2vQxUvEqvC-320-80.jpg)
7 things you didn't know that were making your home hotter
By Katie Mortram published
We’re all trying to keep our homes cool right now. But, we’ve found 7 ways you could be making your home hotter without knowing it.
![F1 23 screenshot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xuZ8H7NPqGjyzfZGPCHVwa-320-80.jpg)
F1 23 is the PS5 game that finally got me into the sport
By Katie Mortram published
F1 23 promises total immersion and a lifelike experience of driving, but does it deliver?
![A woman who is overly hot in a kitchen fanning herself](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PqUsHoBkif9ecwZn4Ds8pM-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to keep your kitchen cool in a heatwave
By Katie Mortram published
A kitchen can be unbearable in a heatwave. Luckily, we’ve found 7 ways to cool this space down.
![A sprinkler head spraying water next to a hose spraying water from a hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DG6VSDofSpAyrwjjwKBM98-320-80.jpg)
Sprinkler vs. hose: which is better for your lawn?
By Katie Mortram published
Wondering which is the best method for watering your lawn? We break down the benefits of using a sprinkler system versus watering by hand here.
![Creeping phlox plant cascading over a brick wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yCrvZGkYGkaaDN5EspvmiS-320-80.jpg)
7 plants that prevent weeds in your yard
By Katie Mortram last updated
Weeds are pesky to remove at the best of times. Luckily these 7 plants can help prevent weeds from taking root in your yard.
![A toaster oven in a kitchen with a hand pulling the door down](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S7tTRZEzpyDVi68VZHF4gm-320-80.jpg)
7 toaster oven mistakes to avoid at all costs
By Katie Mortram published
We rely on our toaster ovens for quick and delicious meals. But, did you know there are common mistakes often made with this appliance?
![Wildflowers being grown in a yard next to the lawn and watering can](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rig2wKLBVEK2tMBSXpAYDb-320-80.jpg)
7 benefits of a wildflower garden — and why you should grow one
By Katie Mortram published
Our lawns are expensive and time consuming to maintain — here are 7 reasons to replace it with a wildflower garden instead.
![Breville Barista Express](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fL3VDXqf3gXjAtQEuznwMb-320-80.jpg)
Best Prime Day coffee machine deals 2023 — Keurig, Breville and more
By Katie Mortram last updated
Prime Day coffee machine deals are here, and we're rounding up the biggest price drops.
![Blueair Advanced Air Purifier 7470i](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FoPpXsCnkJjYhDrSxtYtmM-320-80.jpg)
Beat the pollution! One of our picks for the best air purifiers has a massive Prime Day discount
By Katie Mortram last updated
We tested the Blueair Advanced Air Purifier 7470i and we're impressed, but with 50% off right now it's a great purchase for your home.
![Hands hold Amazon packages](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7TZQWYUsWBj72ZpJTb8NoJ-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes to avoid when shopping this Prime Day
By Katie Mortram published
Prime Day offers a chance to get your hands on some great deals, but could you be making any of these 7 mistakes in the process?
![The Roborock S7 robot vacuum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t8SDvoiLRZNEouBTTAbA5Y-320-80.jpg)
I test robot vacuums for a living — here’s 3 deals I recommend for Prime Day
By Katie Mortram published
Looking for a robot vacuum this Prime Day? I test robot vacuums for a living and these are the deals I recommend.
![Orchids sitting on a windowsill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/swv7EdjBtLGHBD4aotJ3Ta-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes to avoid when growing orchids
By Katie Mortram published
Orchids are pretty simple to grow, but there are still 7 mistakes often made with these plants.
![A mole poking out from a molehill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UwJk2ieR7yKmCyDCrL9Sjn-320-80.jpg)
7 plants that repel moles and keep them out of your yard
By Katie Mortram published
Do moles keep messing up your yard? Here are 7 plants that can help keep them at bay.
![two ants drinking water](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R5RktbhDKBiU8BtsbNvgiT-320-80.jpg)
7 things that are attracting ants to your home
By Katie Mortram published
Ants are a common pest in kitchens. But, did you know that there are 7 things attracting them into your home in the first place?
![A mosquito sitting on the skin](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wFXrJwTTJZ3PTjK2infGFN-320-80.jpg)
How to get rid of mosquitoes in your home and your yard
By Katie Mortram last updated
Need to know how to get rid of mosquitoes? Here, we take you through what to do if you think you’ve got an infestation and how to deter them in the future.
![A blender filled with beetroots being run in a kitchen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sJodWHqJLCtCBPkPUqrQZk-320-80.jpg)
7 blender mistakes ruining your smoothies
By Katie Mortram published
We rely on our blenders for much-needed smoothies. But, are you making any of these common mistakes in the process?
![A selection of herbs including basil. parsley, thyme and oregano](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CiG2y9HbyUfAe8XwrbYbRg-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes it’s all too easy to make when growing herbs
By Katie Mortram published
Herbs can be easy or tricky to grow, depending on the type. But, in either case, there are still 7 mistakes often made.