'I tried the TikTok paddling pool hack parents say is a game-changer for heatwaves'

With much of the country back sweltering in the heat and school holidays in full swing, many families will be busting out the paddling pool to help keep everyone cool and entertained this week. However, while splashing in the pool is an idyllic childhood tradition, as a parent I have long since realised it can bring hassle and expense - although thanks to my social media habit I've found a couple of ways to make it a bit simpler.

For my little ones, who are already decked out in their swimwear (and goggles, despite the pool being less than a foot deep, they're nothing if not optimistic), lounging on deck chairs and munching on ice lollies while eagerly awaiting the hose to fill up the pool is a summer highlight, especially in scorching temperatures. But for grown-ups it can be a bit of a thankless task filled with faff, even assuming the paddling pool has survived the long winter in the shed and you've not been hit by a hose pipe ban.

If you're looking for a new paddling pool, Amazon and Argos are currently the best options for buying something that you can have up and ready before the weather turns. Prime delivery is available on plenty of options from as little as £17.99 getting something suitable direct to the door within hours, including the Intex four person poolwe've been using for several years now which has seats, cup holders and is currently 31% off at £37.99, making it cheaper than when I bought it. Meanwhile, Argos paddling pools can be click and collected within minutes once the order is placed.

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But whichever pool you pick, either a new one or one unearthed from the back of the shed, TikTok is packed with life hacks aimed at helping make life simpler. I stumbled across one involving a simple £6 fitted sheet that has been a game-changer, making pool time easier, tidier, and crucially in these times of soaring bills and concerns over water shortages, both cheaper and more eco-friendly.

The video, shared by user KirstyKetley, is one of hundreds of paddling pool life hacks on the popular platform. It suggests covering your paddling pool with a fitted sheet overnight to prevent bugs and debris from getting in, reports the Liverpool Echo. It's great for larger poolslike ours which, while loved by grown ups and kids alike, takes a fair bit of time to inflate - and even longer to fill.

Filling ours with a garden tap takes over an hour to reach a reasonable level. Despite the hot weather meaning we're hardly cooking and the heating has long since been switched off, that is going to have an impact on our water bill so it's important to make it count.

After a joyous day of splashing in and out of the pool, I used the TikTok tip and used a fitted sheet like this £6 super kingsize one from Dunelm to cover the paddling pool overnight. I was sceptical about its effectiveness, but when I removed the sheet on Sunday, the pool was, aside from the usual grass clippings attracted by little feet hopping in and out, surprisingly free of debris. This meant that instead of considering refilling it as I usually would, I was content to use it again - and it looks like we're going to continue using it throughout the week as we covered it again last night too.

This clever yet straightforward advice makes paddling pool time much less hassle. Instead of needing to replace the water daily, spending time filling, draining, inflating and deflating it rather than enjoying it it's possible to use one pool of water making it not only cheaper but also more environmentally friendly.

The humble fitted sheet is also the subject of another tip being shared online to help keep people shaded out in the garden, and we were able to try that too as the sun moved across the back of the garden making part of the pool no longer in the shade.

Pegging a light sheet to a rotary washing line can give you some much-needed additional shade. We used it alongside our Dunelm gazebo, which is currently £10 in the brand's mid-season sale, to keep the full pool area shaded.

Combining the two together meant the garden was so well shaded that even at 28 degree heat my son was a little bit shivery when he went for a late afternoon dip. It also had the added bonus of drying the sheet that had been over the pool overnight.

Shoppers keen to invest in something more substantial to take advantage of the summer have plenty of other options available though. Argos has gazebos and pergolas from £30which can be collected immediately. Meanwhile, Amazon has a £22 three metre square option which can be delivered within 48 hours.