That used car smell: how to deal with a stinky vehicle

From cigarette smoke to stale food, dealing with car smells requires specialised strategies depending on the cause

Toxic reaction: how to clear dangerous pollutants out of your home

After tests revealed the levels of harmful chemicals in her blood, the environmental writer vowed to discover the best ways to keep her family safe

Five great reads: medical mysteries, stolen attention and easy-to-keep resolutions

Guardian Australia’s summertime round-up of written interest and joy selected by Alyx Gorman

Buzz off! Effective ways to deter bites during Australia’s monster mosquito season

Health professionals warn south-eastern Australia is facing a particularly risky summer for mosquito-borne diseases. So how do you keep them away?

The tipping point: how to safeguard your home from falling furniture

Modern interior trends like flatscreen TVs and flat-pack furniture have increased the risk of toppling injuries in Australian homes

I thought moving house would cure my brain fog. But it is still as bad as ever

All my well-worn routines have changed – from my morning walk to my local coffee shop - and now I don’t really know who I am, or how to behave, writes Emma Beddington

‘Forget trends – do what makes you feel good’: how to style a happy home

From experimenting with colour to upping your houseplant game, here’s how to boost your home’s feelgood factor

10 houseplants to make you happier at home

For gorgeous scent or show-stopping blooms, these plants are guaranteed to brighten your space and your mood

The big sniff: why changing the smell of the room you’re in could boost your mood

Introducing a pleasant ambient fragrance is one of the most effective ways to enhance wellbeing

Keep the home fires burning? Don’t even think about it!

They’ve kept us warm for thousands of years, but a new study says open fires may cause more pollution than the traffic on a busy road