Our Recommendation Process

When we say "try this" in an article, we want you to be able to trust it. So here is exactly how a tip, a method or a type of product earns a place on Gargetter Lifestyle. No secret sauce, just a routine we stick to, even when it would be quicker not to.

Step one: a real question

Almost everything starts with a question somebody actually had. One of us notices a cloudy kettle, a friend asks how to stop fruit flies taking over, or a reader writes in about packing for a long weekend with only a small bag. If a question keeps coming up, it goes on the list.

Step two: we look before we write

We read manufacturer instructions, care labels, official guidance from airlines and airports and anything else that comes from the people responsible for the thing in question. Where those sources disagree with a popular hack, the official advice wins.

Step three: we try it, where that is safe

Cleaning methods, packing tricks, kitchen routines and gadget set-ups get tried at home before we recommend them. That is why our kettle descaling guide includes the bit about rinsing until the vinegar smell is gone: we learned it the hard way. Anything that involves wiring, gas, structural work or health is a different story. We do not experiment there, and we point you to a professional instead.

Step four: generic beats branded

Most of the time we describe a type of product rather than a brand: "a mild washing-up liquid", "an enzyme cleaner for fabrics", "a soft brush attachment". That keeps advice useful wherever you shop and whatever is in your cupboard. If we ever do name a specific product, it is because it genuinely helps explain the job.

Step five: a second reader

Every piece is read by a second person on the team before it goes live. Their job is to ask the awkward questions. Does this step actually work? Would a beginner understand it? Is there a safety point missing? Have we promised more than we can deliver?

Things we never do

• Treat a named brand as the only sensible choice for every home.
• Rank things by anything other than usefulness.
• Invent statistics, studies, quotes or expert credentials.
• Pretend to know your home, health, budget or travel plans better than you do.

Step six: we come back later

Advice ages. Products change, rules change and sometimes we simply find a better way. We revisit articles and update them in place, so you are not left choosing between an old version and a new one. If you spot something that needs a refresh, tell us through Say Hello.

Want to see the process in action? Our mattress cleaning guide is a good example of a piece built around one simple rule and a lot of careful testing. And to find out who is doing all this testing, pop over to Behind the Kitchen Door.