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 home with trees lined up to form a barrier from the sidewalk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/swBVYMpVgscxnbrBKrmuSD-320-80.jpg)
7 best trees and shrubs to soundproof your yard
By Katie Mortram published
Does noise travel through your yard? Here are 7 shrubs and trees that can help.
![A rat eating from plates in a kitchen sink](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cw7tzZmths2a3NiiaHt3H7-320-80.jpg)
7 things that are attracting pests to your home
By Katie Mortram published
Do pests keep invading your home? These 7 things are a prime attraction.
![A red cast iron skillet with cooked bacon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/84szWDtKZvuPG66SdwASq4-320-80.jpg)
7 things I've learned after cooking on cast iron over the years
By Katie Mortram published
My cast iron pan can cook all kinds of recipes; here’s what I’ve learned about it over the years.
![A lawn roller being pushed on the grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZcCNeHYmiSs7wX4fjNC5sE-320-80.jpg)
Should you roll your lawn? Here’s what the experts think
By Katie Mortram published
Could your lawn benefit from rolling? Here’s the pros and cons you need to know.
![A carpet beetle up close](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Btc5Nk6xSUth8BqFHEF4Gd-320-80.jpg)
9 ways to get rid of carpet beetles with or without chemicals
By Katie Mortram published
Carpet beetles can wreak havoc on rugs, clothes and soft furnishings. We’ve found 9 ways you can deal with this pest promptly.
![A wasp sitting on a piece of wood](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zzoyY8amuuP3XsEM4SRsHX-320-80.jpg)
7 plants that will keep wasps out of your yard
By Katie Mortram last updated
Want to keep wasps out of your yard? We’ve found 5 plants which will actively deter this pest.
![Bedsheets being loaded into a washing machine from a hamper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7737QhwXhnw9QTMpeKLED-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes to avoid when washing bedding
By Katie Mortram published
Washing your bedding may seem like a simple task. But, there are still several mistakes often made.
![A groundhog poking its head out of a burrow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QBXofHfGzFyYYyp6A4CDUH-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to get rid of groundhogs without hurting them
By Katie Mortram published
Are groundhogs making a mess of your yard? We’ve found 7 humane ways to repel them from your property.
![A dog urinating on the grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eozYLCd8hHpruG9zXnF37P-320-80.jpg)
Here's how to fix dog pee damage on your lawn
By Katie Mortram published
Your lawn will change color where your dog pees on it. But, there are ways to fix this to get your grass healthy again.
![A cat and dog under a blanket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AzSp9JaVNhoo4yqVfbh7P3-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to remove pet odor from your home
By Katie Mortram published
Does your home smell like cats and dogs? We’ve found 7 ways to remove pet odors and make things smell fresh again.
![A women wearing a hat and pulling a suitcase looking out of the window in a hotel room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TKPztKm4WmCjbQNhB3rFhR-320-80.jpg)
7 things to always do when you check into a hotel room
By Katie Mortram published
Checking into a hotel over the holidays? Make sure you do these 7 things for peace of mind during your stay.
![A lawn being watered by sprinklers at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4fCwWy8bMKMMZEvz2Jjtqa-320-80.jpg)
Is it bad to water your lawn at night? Here’s what the experts say
By Katie Mortram published
How bad is it really to water your lawn at night? We asked the experts to find out the benefits and drawbacks.
![A mosquito resting on a plant](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RAMDLA4gejsdufxczKusG5-320-80.jpg)
7 things that attract mosquitoes to your yard
By Katie Mortram published
Do mosquitoes flock to your yard? We’ve found 7 ways you’re attracting them without knowing it.
![Someone wearing green, rubber gloves cleaning the exterior of an oven](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uWL6YYMZtxBjTwSczKqT9c-320-80.jpg)
7 Tips to keep your oven cleaner for longer
By Katie Mortram published
No one likes cleaning the oven, but you can make the chore easier if you follow these 7 tips.
![A ball of steel wool next to a scrubbing brush and a microfiber cloth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hCxHDjhLpE4ACif8vA49R5-320-80.jpg)
7 ways you didn’t know you could use steel wool
By Katie Mortram published
Steel wool is good for more than just scrubbing. Here are 7 ways you can use it around the home.
![A woman holding her nose while pulling laundry from a washing machine](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MV3t99R9y5zBYgxDWw6kVe-320-80.jpg)
7 reasons your clothes come out smelly from the washing machine
By Katie Mortram published
The washing machine should leave your clothes clean and fresh. But, we’ve found 7 reasons why it could make things smell worse.
![A dandelion growing in the cracks of a patio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sF4NH9jKhGjShG4TDCecMD-320-80.jpg)
7 ways to remove weeds from your patio
By Katie Mortram published
Is your patio filled with weeds? We’ve found 7 ways to remove weeds from between pavers and keep them from coming back.
![Someone wearing gloves spraying a bottle of white vinegar next to a jar of baking soda](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FJjKQQNQ5NcyHszyEW9gad-320-80.jpg)
Vinegar vs baking soda — which is best at cleaning?
By Katie Mortram published
Vinegar and baking soda both have their uses when it comes to cleaning, but which is better?
![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.