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
![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
![An open trunk of a car showing safety equipment including a warning triangle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9KqCe3GAdNAuGv6fkpjmf8-320-80.jpg)
7 things you should always keep in the trunk of your car
By Helen McCue published
The car’s trunk is often cluttered, but there are 7 things you should always keep in there.
![A bottle of hydrogen peroxide with cotton balls in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e9SB9KHojbyVs2GmHdUt7U-320-80.jpg)
7 ways you didn’t know you could use hydrogen peroxide
By Helen McCue published
Want to know how you can use hydrogen peroxide around the home? We’ve found 7 uses.
![Nespresso Vertuo on kitchen counter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t63JNAi3CybcV7DzUuMs5A-320-80.jpg)
Nespresso Vertuo review
By Helen McCue published
The Nespresso Vertuo is the original Vertuo machine and its smart technology makes brewing coffee foolproof, but it’s bulky and can’t heat milk.
![Creeping phlox growing alongside a path in a yard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bETf795HRCm58bXbg6dyQ4-320-80.jpg)
7 uses for ground cover plants
By Helen McCue published
Ground cover plants are more useful than you know, Here are 7 benefits of ground cover plants.
![A can of WD-40 on a table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4NpqFqN6iBsPWnjt6McwRc-320-80.jpg)
7 places to never use WD-40 — you’ll be surprised
By Helen McCue last updated
WD-40 can work wonders, but there are some places it should never be used.
![A circular patio with table, chairs, umbrella and plants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VSpx6usU4a8sNZfNzU6TrX-320-80.jpg)
How to clean your patio without a pressure washer
By Helen McCue published
Want to clean your patio, but lack a pressure washer? Here, we break down how to clean patio slabs in 7 simple steps — no pressure washer required.
![A selection of pots and pans on a kitchen cabinet against a blue wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aDTTd7iQ3SPQe2brQuQunB-320-80.jpg)
7 mistakes you’re making with your pots and pans
By Helen McCue published
Are you guilty of making any of these 7 mistakes with your pots and pans?
![An orange robot lawn mower cutting the lawn around flower beds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WWaqnC3pun6n4cxdp9FjVF-320-80.jpg)
Robot lawn mowers — 5 reasons to buy and 5 reasons to skip
By Helen McCue published
Should you get a robot lawn mower? Here are 5 reasons to buy one and 5 reasons to skip.
![A hand pinching blackout curtains](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rHDphiEm9AUKormb9fibNa-320-80.jpg)
Blackout curtains — 5 reasons to buy and 4 to skip
By Helen McCue published
Should you upgrade to blackout curtains? Here, we breakdown the pros and cons of changing the drapes.
![A hand spreading grass seed next to sod being unrolled](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NQz7cDcbDVkxqPKq25BPbC-320-80.jpg)
Grass seed vs sod — what’s best for your lawn?
By Helen McCue published
Is it better to plant grass seed or lay sod? Here, we break down the pros and cons of each.
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