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As fuel costs continue to rise, having reliable insulation in your home has never been more important. And insulation just got a whole lot greener and easier thanks to Earthwool.
 
Made using recycled glass bottles, its glasswool has been classified as one of the most sustainable types of loft insulation available. Conveniently available to order online at www.earthwool.com, it is delivered to your door (or even your loft hatch), and installation only takes around two hours.
 
For more information and to claim a ten per cent discount, visit its stand at The Ideal Home Show.
 
Earthwool is offering one lucky reader £1,000 worth of Earthwool Insulation. To be in with a chance of winning, text ‘INSULATION’ followed by your name to 87233 (texts cost 50p plus your standard network rate) or visit www.homesandproperty/co.uk/offers to enter for free before 11 April 08.

With its chunky angles and pure white finish, the new Metropolitan range from RAK Ceramics exudes designer appeal. But the prices remain reasonable with a basin and full pedestal priced at just £98.64. As well as two basin styles, an acrylic bath and a WC, the Metropolitan range includes taps, mirrors, bath shower screens and a spacious stainless steel bathroom cabinet. And RAK Ceramics is offering the chance to win £1,000 to spend across this range. To enter, just text ‘RAK’ plus your name and address to 87233 (texts cost 50p per text plus standard network rate) or log onto www.homesandproperty.co.uk/offers before 23 February 08. www.rakceramics.co.uk

At a time when climate change is at the top of the agenda, now more than ever before, homeowners understand the impact that their way of life has on the environment. This kit from BritishEcoEnergy.com will allow you to collect and recycle rainwater for use in the home, reducing the impact on the environment, and your bank balance.

BritishEcoEnergy.com provides a comprehensive range of renewable energy systems for homes, businesses and charities - and because the company is not tied to any one manufacturer their experts can work with homeowners to find the best system to suit their needs.

To win one of these great Rainwater Harvesting Kits, head over to our sister site Homes & Bargains and enter the draw.

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The countdown to Christmas has begun and the party season is underway. But with all those guests, muddy feet and pets – not to mention accidental food and drink spills, your carpets and upholstery will be lucky to escape unscathed. Which is why Stainbusters – the UK’s premier carpet and upholstery cleaning company – is offering to giveaway a professional clean (worth £250) to each of two lucky readers. For a chance to win, text ‘STAINBUSTERS’ to 87233 (texts cost 50p plus standard network rate) or send your contact details to competitions@myhomeplc.com before 10 December 07. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by 13 December 07. Stainbusters – 0800 137 772 or visit Stainbusters.co.uk

After all that Christmas cooking, what better than a new cooker to see in the New Year? This Belling Sandringham 90DF 90cm dual fuel range cooker will do the trick. It boasts a multifunction electric main oven, a tall fanned oven with four moveable shelves and an electric grill. The hob offers five gas burners, including a wok burner, a removable cast iron griddle and a handy plate warming rack. And Belling is giving one (worth £1,199) to a lucky reader. For a chance to win, text ‘COOKER’ to 87233 (texts cost 50p plus standard network rate) or log onto Homesandproperty.co.uk/offers before 2 January 08. For more information on Belling, call 0871 222 2635 or visit Belling.co.uk
 

Perfect timing for getting the house spick and span for Christmas, on Homes and Bargains this month you can win a year's supply of cleaning products from Ozkleen.co.uk. To read more about this competition and to be in with a chance of winning, click here to visit Homesandbargains.co.uk.

This Fantome Clock designed by Yee-Ling Wan for Innermost combines the feel of an old carriage clock with a modern optical illusion, to give a thoroughly ghostly feel this Halloween. And Post Modern Designs is offering to give one (worth £85) away to each of five lucky readers. Just send your contact details to info@postmoderndesigns.co.uk or click on the link of the homepage at Postmoderndesigns.co.uk before 14 November 2007. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by email on 16 November 2007. Those who don’t win will be able to purchase the clock for a reduced price of £65 until 31 November 07.

With plans for another NASA space shuttle mission to the moon in 2018, and space tourism an ever more likely possibility this century, it’s time to get a piece of the action. This new Indesit Moon washing machine may not take you into space - but it will get your clothes nice and clean. It features a cutting edge design, user friendly technology and choice of 4 different programmes, and Indesit is giving one (worth £299) away to each of two lucky readers. Just send your contact details to moon@bravepr.com before 5th November 2007.The winners will be picked at random and contacted by phone/email by 7th November 2007.If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. Indesitmoon.co.uk

This week, readers who log onto homesandbargains.co.uk could be in with a chance of winning £2,500 worth of bathroom furniture from Shades. Be you a traditionally or more contemporary minded, Shades can accommodate with this Farini range (pictured) aptly showing one of its more modern collections. For a chance to win, just visit homesandbargains.co.uk and take part in this month’s consumer survey (based around the minefield that is Christmas shopping). You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter which delivers the UK’s best bargain news direct to your inbox.

A cosy pair of slippers is the usual order over chillier months.  Those hankering after the barefooted freedom of summer, however, should invest in some underfloor heating. Simple and cost-effective to install, DEVI has worked with tape manufacturer, Tesa, to develop the new devimat, complete with a unique ultra-strong adhesive. Helping to avoid the floating or uneven surfaces that can often result from badly secured underfloor heating, the devimat features adhesive on both sides to ensure that the mat stays in place for good. DEVI is offering each of three lucky readers the chance to win five square metres of devimat and a thermostat together worth £370. For a chance to win, just send your contact details to giveaway@devi.com before 31 October 07. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 7 November 07. If you do NOT want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. For further information on DEVI, please call 0845 434 9990 or visit Devi.co.uk.

Dread the annual Christmas shopping scrum on the High Street? A more pleasant way to tick the nieces, nephews and various family members off the list is at The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair (14-18 November, Business Design Centre, N1). Helping you avoid the last minute crisis buy of novelty Christmas socks (or some other such disappointing gift), the Fair offers local and national crafts, home accessories, ceramics and more - along with delicious homemade food and drink unavailable on the high street. Tickets purchased in advance cost £11 and £14.50 on the door. And there is a pair of free adult tickets for each of ten lucky readers. Just send your contact details to kmorrison@trickerpr.com before 20 October 07. The winners will be contacted by email by 27 October 07. To book tickets, call 08701 261 800 or visit Countrylivingfair.com.

Better known for its retro take on kitchen appliances, Smeg has now branched out with the launch of three equally trendy ranges of flueless gas fires. Incorporating the latest gas fire technology, these do not require a chimney or flue to operate. Instead, the combustion gases pass through a catalytic converter system, converting 100 per cent of the gas to heat. This is so effective that the air is cleaner going out than coming in, making these as eco-friendly as they are cost-effective. And Smeg is giving away one L30FAB fire worth £950 (as pictured) in a choice of red, cream or black to a lucky reader. To enter the draw, just send you contact details and colour choice to Melissa@publicityengineers.com before 31 October 07. The winner will be notified by letter then contacted by phone to arrange delivery. Call Smeg on 0870 990 9907or visit Smeguk.com for more.

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Allowing you to make free calls over the internet, Skype is a must for those wishing to save money on their phone bills. And it is no longer necessary to switch your PC on every time you make a call either. Just use one of these Philips VoIP841 phones. A dual phone that synchronizes with all your existing Skype contacts, the VoIP841 allows you to chat as you wander round the house or garden - without being tied to your computer. Skype is giving away a Philips phone (worth £99) to each of ten readers. Just send your contact details (full name, telephone number, Skype name and email address) to philipscompetition@skype.net before 24 October, 2007. The winners will be picked at random and contacted via their Skype account. The phone is available to buy from Skype.com/shop (Ts & Cs apply).

Getting out of a hot shower into a cold bathroom is pretty grisly – especially on dark winter mornings, but a heated towel can make the exercise a bit less painful. Up steps JIS Europe, the UK’S largest supplier of stainless steel radiators and heated towel rails. This Adur 620 from the Sussex Range is reasonably priced at just £544.70 and presents an understated, but highly effective towel rail. And JIS Europe is offering to give one away to a lucky reader. Just send your contact details to sales@jiseurope.co.uk marking Really Useful Competition in the subject field before 3rd October 07. Please also state whether you require an electric or central heating version. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone or email. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. JISeurope.co.uk (01444 831 200).

Operating out of its huge warehouse in Hendon, Elite Tiles and Interiors sells quality floor and wall tiles and is one of the largest importers of porcelain tiles in the South East.

Sourced directly from around the world, its porcelain floor and wall tiles are sold at trade prices from just £19 per square metre plus VAT. And there are hundreds of styles and colours to choose from – all held in stock at the warehouse.

Already selling at some of the best prices around, Elite Tiles and Interiors is offering  readers a further 30 per cent off of the already discounted prices across the range of tiles. To claim, just present this page in store at Elite Tiles, Elite House, The Broadway, West Hendon, NW9. Call 020 8202 1806. Offer lasts throughout September 07. Elite-Tiles.co.uk

As the UK's largest specialist bathroom retailer, Bathstore knows its stuff when it comes to delivering quality bathrooms with superior service - and at prices that won't break the bank. Bathrooms such as this PLAY range (from £99 for the Semi-inset basin) form part of the collection, with many more options available. Bathstore has just opened a new showroom in Baker Street, and, in celebration, is offering one lucky reader the chance to spend £500 in store. For a chance to win, just send your contact details to pr@bathstore.com before 12th September 2007. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone/email by 19th September 2007. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. Bathstore, 95-97 Baker Street, W1U; 020 7224 1000; Bathstore.co.uk

The end of your summer holiday is bad enough without coming home to a less than sparkly clean house. But Myhome’s teams of trained, fully-insured, professional cleaners are on hand to take the hassle out of your housework. Myhome provides premium cleaning services, tailor made to the meet the individual needs of each household - all at sensible rates. And Myhome is offering a Summer Cleaning Blitz worth £250 to two lucky Really Useful readers. For a chance to win, just send your contact details to myhomegiveaway@aol.com before 23rd August. The winners will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 3rd September. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. Myhome: 0845 066 8866 MyHome plc.com

Calling all the shots when it comes to quality and exceptional value tableware, Maxwell & Williams has proved its cutlery credentials once again with the launch of its Allure range. Allure by name, alluring by nature, the range is made from dishwasher safe stainless steel with each handle featuring a distinctive curve (designed for comfort to mould your hand) and a stylish squared end. And Maxwell & Williams is offering a 40 piece set (worth £145) to each of four lucky Really Useful readers. For a chance to win, just send your contact details to win@maxwellandwilliams.co.uk before 14th August 2007. The winner will be contacted by phone or email by 21st August 2007. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. Maxwell and Williams.co.uk/ 020 8200 5100.

Silentnight’s annual “National Love Your Bed Week” (as if we needed reminding) is coming up soon (6-12th August), and in celebration, Silentnight, the UK’s leading bed manufacturer, is offering two lucky readers the chance to win a brand new Silentnight Mattress. Just send your contact details to Silentnight Marketing Dept. PO Box 9, Barnolbswick, Lancashire, DB18 6BL before 15th August 2007. The first name to be drawn from the hat will win the MiraPocket 2100 (£449), a unique two-tier spring mattress that offers the ultimate in lavish comfort and support; the second name will win the Miratex (£419), a memory mattress that moulds round your body to give personalised support. The winners will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 31st August 2007. Silent Night.co.uk.

There’s nothing worse than a chipped, stained bath to ruin the post-work soak, but before you waste money on a complete replacement, it’s worth bearing in mind Surface Doctor.

A leading bathroom and kitchen resurfacing company, it can give a new lease of life to baths, basins, shower trays, kitchen cabinets and more, and on a range of surfaces including ceramics, porcelain, acrylic and plastic. Surface Doctor can help minimise disruption and save you up 70 per cent of the cost of a replacement. And it is offering to give away a bath resurfacing job (worth £250) to two Really Useful readers.

For a chance to win, send your contact details to becky@lloydrobertspr.co.uk before 26th July 2007. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 3rd August. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, write NO clearly after your name. Surface Doctor: 0800 9800 900.

Better weather lends itself to weekends spent doing DIY jobs in the garden or around the home – but DIY isn’t just for the boys. Encouraging you to tackle odd jobs as a couple, Loctite (Making DIY Easier) is giving away 20 his and hers toolkits as well as a selection of the latest Loctite superglue products (worth £50 in total). Its famous ‘Hanging Man’ advertisement showed that the strongest superglue available can stick a man to the ceiling in just three seconds. For a chance to win, just email info@spreckley.co.uk with your contact details and your answer to the following question before 27th June 2007.

How long does Loctite take to stick a man to the ceiling?
 
1)      One seconds
2)      Three seconds
3)      Five seconds

The winners will be picked at random and contacted by email. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company write NO clearly after your name.

It’s one thing to recycle but, when it comes to making a significant difference, this Genersys.com Solar Hot Water System with vented 220L twin coil solar hot water cylinder from British Eco wins all the prizes. Unlike conventional heating, which burns up mains gas and electricity, this system will reduce your hot water bills by 70 per cent,  using free energy from the sun . 

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There have been a few sniffles in my office of late as the start of the summer season takes its toll on hayfever sufferers; and the number of people with allergies in the UK is on the rise. Eczema, asthma, food allergies and sensitive skin - whatever your complaint, it's well worth a visit to this year's Allergy Show (15 - 17 June 2007) at Olympia where there'll be free specialist seminars on how to reduce allergens in your home, as well as hints and recommended products. Tickets are £6 in advance and £9 on the door, but The Allergy Show is giving away 10 pairs of tickets to Really Useful readers. For a chance to win, just send your contact details to ES Tickets, PO Box 28855 London SW13 0XA before 30 May 2007. The winners will be picked at random and receive their tickets by 8 June. Call 0870 272 0020 or visit Allergyshow.co.uk for more information.

The annual Chelsea Flower show starts next week (22-26 May) bringing a host of gardening ideas, plants and products to London’s Embankment. One to watch out for at the show is Nova Garden Furniture, showcasing a selection of its stunning contemporary and traditional outdoor furniture. In celebration, Nova is offering to giveaway this elegant Forge set, worth £1,100 to one lucky reader. The second name to be drawn from the hat will win a weekend at the fabulous Glencot House Hotel in Somerset (worth £800) and, as award winning Miller’s Gin is hosting drinks on the Nova stand at Chelsea this year, the third prize is a year’s supply of its premium English Gin.

To enter the draw, send your contact details to nova@smees.co.uk with ‘Chelsea’ in the title before 27 May; or visit the Nova stand at the Chelsea Flower Show for a second chance to enter. The winners will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 1 June.

Novagardenfurniture.co.uk; Glencothouse.co.uk; Millersgin.com

A great little find, Day2dayshop.com is based in Jersey and, as a result, can offer UK customers VAT free prices on all products priced under £18 – and there are plenty of those. The site sells all manner of useful things such as Printer Inkjet Cartridges, Batteries and Travel Accessories such as adaptors and travel pillows. Amongst its collection of Vacuum Cleaner Consumables, you can save £1.04 VAT on Miele Original FJM Dustbags, usually £6.99 but without VAT £5.95. And, until 31 May 2007, there’s a 3 per cent discount on all products. Just enter ‘Day 2’ to when ordering at Day2dayshop.com (valid once per customer).

Cutting edge designer furniture sourced direct from the continent makes Europe by Net one of my latest favourites in the furniture world. This Fat-Fat Side Table shows the kind of unusual offerings available. Designed for B&B Italia by Patricia Urquiola, it adopts a unique shape inspired by Moroccan ottomans. Made from a light peach coloured leather, it can be used as a low table; or you simply lift the metal tray to reveal storage space for newspapers or toys. And Europe by Net is offering one Really Useful reader the chance to win the Fat-Fat table (worth £704). For a chance to win,  just log onto www.europebynet.com/hpgiveaway and register your contact details before 16 May 2007. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone/email by 21 May. If you do not want your contact details to be kept by the company, click the box on your entry form. Europebynet.com (020 7734 3100).

A good one for smaller back gardens or balconies, this New England Four Seater Patio Set from Argos comes in an elegant white painted finish, and is priced at just £499. Made with long-lunches in mind, the set includes four cushions for added comfort. And   Argos is offering to give one of these sets away to a lucky Really Useful reader. To find out how to enter the draw, just log onto homesandbargains.co.uk ,  click on Bargains  by Email and sign up for the free weekly newsletter before 16 May 2007. For the very latest bargains from Argos, log onto Argos.co.uk, call 0870 600 8784 or text the catalogue number to 61201

It’s always a treat to find something that is aesthetically pleasing as well as being good for the environment. A material long loved by the Italians, polished plaster is a naturally breathable and eco-friendly material, containing no cements, resins or acrylics; and, because it is lime-based, has a natural resistance to mould and bacteria – making it ideal for bathroom and kitchen walls.  Specialists in this field, The Polished Plaster Company can not only supply and put up polished plaster - it also offers four day intensive polished plaster application courses. And it is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a course (worth £410 inclusive of VAT) plus a supply of plastering materials.  For a chance to win, just send your contact details to compo@polishedplastercompany.co.uk before 2 May. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 9 May 2007. For more information on these stunning wall finishes visit Polishedplaster.co.uk or Polishedplastercompany.co.uk (07789 861 315)