As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.
Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.
With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!
Latest articles by Cynthia Lawrence

Why are homeowners mixing baking soda, detergent and toothpaste? I put this DIY cleaning hack to the test to find out
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Why are people mixing baking soda, detergent and toothpaste? The DIY cleaning hack put to the test — does it really work?

Stop wasting your money — Gardeners share the common yard expenses to avoid (and great hacks to save cash)
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I asked gardeners what the biggest money-wasters are that we often spend for our yards. Here’s what they said and what to buy instead.

Why rats are targeting your electrical cables this summer (and how to stop them)
By Cynthia Lawrence Last updated
Expert warns rats may be chewing through your electrical wires this summer — here's how to keep them out.

Forget fertilizer — pasta water could be the secret to giving your tomato plants a boost. Here’s why
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Pasta water for tomatoes? Why this leftover ingredient is a great boost for your plants this summer.

Expert shares clever ice cube hack that could banish flies from your yard this summer
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Flies ruining your backyard gatherings? Check out this surprising (yet clever) ice cube hack homeowners are using to keep flies away.

I missed out on sowing season, but I grew my favorite fresh herbs in one week — and it’s a game-changer
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Do you want to ‘fast-track’ your homegrown crops? Here’s how I grew fresh herbs in just over one week — and it’s an absolute game-changer.

Stop vacuuming for hours — here’s my bulletproof 5-minute cordless vacuum routine that cuts chores in half
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Are you cleaning your floors the 'smart' way? Here’s my easy ‘workflow’ method for vacuuming that will take you less time and have spotless results.

I tried a robot lawnmower for the first time — and there's one thing I wish I'd known before using it in my yard
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I finally swapped my manual mower for a robot —but here’s the one thing that I didn't check first (that most of us don’t).

I just discovered the one overlooked thing attracting ants to my yard — and it’s so simple
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Spotted ants in your backyard? Don’t overlook this yard issue that could be inviting ants to your outdoor space.

Forget pulling weeds — this one unlikely item in your toolbox can make all the difference
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Tired of pulling weeds? This one DIY tool you already own could make light work of a back-breaking task this summer.

Why are gardeners sprinkling flour in their yards this summer? It’s not as strange as it sounds
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Beyond baking — here’s why gardeners are sprinkling flour in their yards (but you need to use it the right way).

IKEA just dropped a sleek cooler that will be my summer essential — and it's just $40
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I discovered this sleek IKEA cooler basket that will instantly spruce up my summer outings — here's why.

Expert shares unusual household item to prevent ants from invading your home this summer
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Dealing with pesky ants? Homeowners are being told to use this one bathroom item that could help stop ants in your home this summer.

Forget coffee grounds — try this unusual item to banish skunks in your yard immediately
By Cynthia Lawrence Last updated
Ditch the coffee grounds — this is the secret scent that instantly repels skunks in your yard.

Ants taking over your raised beds? I asked the experts how to get rid of them quickly
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Help, my soil is infested — I asked the experts how to get rid of ants in my raised beds!

This ‘gimmicky’ Shark cleaning tool has now become my go-to gardening essential — here’s why
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Ditch your leaf blower — the Shark BlastBoss is the only gardening tool I reach for now. Here’s how I use it.

5 ways to protect yourself (and your home) from wildfire smoke right now
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Battling wildfire smoke? Here are some practical ways to protect yourself and your home, and to help you breathe easy.

This $17 IKEA item got rid of my hallway clutter in seconds — and upgraded my space
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I discovered this IKEA find that made my hallway clutter disappear and saved space — and it’s only $17.

How to protect your smart home gadgets in a heatwave — 3 expert tips to do right now
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Is your smart home ready for the heatwave? An expert reveals how to prevent your gadgets from overheating.

How do I know when my homegrown tomatoes have peak flavor? 3 things to look for before picking
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
If you’re wondering why your homegrown tomatoes aren't flavorful, you’re probably picking them at the wrong time. Here’s the right time to pick.

Forget white vinegar — I found a better natural way to banish ants in my yard for good
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
I finally got rid of the ants in my yard with this one natural item — and no, it wasn’t white vinegar this time.

Why is my grass patchy after seeding? I asked the experts how to fix it
By Cynthia Lawrence Published
Do you have patches ruining your lawn? Gardeners reveal the reason your lawn is still patchy after seeding it and how to fix it.

The best tech of 2026 (so far): 26 products we've actually tested, rated and loved
By Peter Wolinski Published
Here are our favorite products from 2026 after 6 months of non-stop testing.
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