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 rake raking fallen leaves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MGjWkuzWwQYmosjeUW8zD7-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to use fallen leaves in your garden
By Cynthia Lawrence published
Is your yard already covered in leaves? We’ve found 7 uses for fallen leaves in your garden.
![A lawn mower cutting the grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kiAt9GaW4dFDBHE86DBtvD-320-80.jpg)
How to sharpen lawn mower blades in 9 simple steps
By Katie Mortram published
Is your lawn mower not cutting like it used to? You may need to learn how to sharpen lawn mower blades.
![Dry grass next to green grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NBX6wQLMidi9uQTSqLZR3R-320-80.jpg)
9 tips to revive dead grass and make your lawn green again
By Cynthia Lawrence published
Is your lawn looking worse for wear from the summer? We’ve found 9 tips to revive it.
![The lawn being aerated by a manual aerator](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yMSYZ94JjhUm99jJWQJ9sV-320-80.jpg)
7 signs your lawn needs aerating
By Katie Mortram published
Our lawns require ongoing maintenance, including aeration. But, how can you tell when it’s time to take on this chore?
![A close up of bed bugs on a mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KcbWvMyPKZmkuxKwebPGQS-320-80.jpg)
5 ways bed bugs can invade your home
By Katie Mortram published
There are all kinds of ways bed bugs can travel into your home — we’ve found 5 common routes here.
![An open freezer drawer showing frozen vegetables in sealed bags](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/avqTR2MXfmuwPx73bPhX8S-320-80.jpg)
18 foods you should never store in the freezer
By Katie Mortram published
Freezers are brilliant for storing leftovers, but we’ve found 18 foods you should never store in there.
![Someone organizing clothes on shelves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5v6J4QGiDhSfybg6M28k4M-320-80.jpg)
5 best ways to declutter your home now
By Katie Mortram published
We’ve found 5 decluttering methods that can make the chore that much easier.
![A gas powered aerator being used on a lawn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HRQv45H8EwrfGdoY9G4Yz4-320-80.jpg)
How to aerate a lawn and when to do it
By Katie Mortram published
Thinking about aerating your lawn? Here’s what to do step-by-step to get the best results.
![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.
![A lawn mower cutting the grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/97WPqAwKqpyvVTSWNLwx3N-320-80.jpg)
9 signs that you’re cutting your grass too short
By Katie Mortram published
Are you cutting your grass shorter than you should? Here are 9 signs of this habit.
![Snowdrops in the snow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DhExqcAJVhAxYxPJFsoo49-320-80.jpg)
7 best winterproof plants to survive the cold
By Katie Mortram published
Does your yard look bare over the winter? These plants will keep your garden blooming in the cold months.
![Coffee grounds and beans spilled over from a portafilter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oPxAennGyqX2sW5Ai7iywb-320-80.jpg)
7 surprising ways you can reuse old coffee grounds
By Katie Mortram published
Don’t throw your old coffee grounds in the trash — here are 7 ways you can reuse it around your home and yard.
![Ants eating crumbs in a kitchen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LimU57QWJ7ShvBba22yRma-320-80.jpg)
7 natural ways to get rid of ants without chemicals
By Cynthia Lawrence, Katie Mortram published
Here’s how you can get rid of ants using only natural household products.
![Three Coca-Cola bottles on a wooden surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DLmkwGFhjopiXkmaSTtsXa-320-80.jpg)
7 things you never knew you could do with Coca-Cola
By Katie Mortram published
Coca-Cola is more than just a soda. Here are 7 surprising uses for Coca-Cola.
![A hand spreading grass seed on a lawn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ev9sEcmRj8gEbzQew5i5tC-320-80.jpg)
How to overseed your lawn in the fall and when to do it
By Katie Mortram published
Looking to overseed your lawn this fall? Here, we cover what you need to do as well as when, so you can get the best results.
![A close up of bed bugs on a mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KcbWvMyPKZmkuxKwebPGQS-320-80.jpg)
7 telltale signs of bed bugs in your home
By Katie Mortram published
Worried about bed bugs? We’ve found 7 telltale signs of these pests, so you can act fast.
![A spider on the floor in a home next to a rug](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pHavpnKRKjtQeFuFU8YcMi-320-80.jpg)
How to get rid of spiders and keep them out of your home
By Katie Mortram published
Are spiders a nuisance in your home? Here’s how to get rid of them.
![A gloved hand cleaning a glass shower wall with a microfiber cloth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UJKnzHEw3Pp3QgdBrMDm34-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a glass shower door — top tips to remove water marks
By Cynthia Lawrence, Katie Mortram published
Is your glass shower door covered in water marks? Here’s how to remove them.
![The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Original Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2z723YoAHnEQbRznsZyNje-320-80.jpg)
I traded my hair dryer for a hot air brush — and I’ve not looked back
By Katie Mortram published
Can a hot air brush compete with a hair dryer? I think so.
![Deadheading a phlox paniculata with pruning shears](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6qsgQCemeCF8sVLcCDXPfe-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes everyone makes when deadheading plants
By Katie Mortram published
There are 7 mistakes which could be damaging your plants when it comes to deadheading.
![A gleaming stainless steel sink](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wjADVEej8tqMpXdsZrk46T-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a stainless steel sink in 7 easy steps
By Katie Mortram published
If you want to get your stainless steel sink gleaming without the hard scrub, follow these top tips.
![Birkin philodendron house plant in a wicker basket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J64VmPXtHUiLsxbxowXH7P-320-80.jpg)
5 best plants to help cool down your home
By Katie Mortram published
There are all sorts of ways to stay cool in the heat, but did you know that houseplants can help?
![A washing machine during its spin cycle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hnz5Jd7rCuiFiwxPjDPST3-320-80.jpg)
7 reasons your washing machine won’t spin — and how to fix them
By Katie Mortram published
Does your washing machine refuse to spin? Here are 7 of the most common reasons and how to fix them.