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11 Basic Steps for Building a DIY Dog Wash Station
While we love our furry, four-legged friends, we don’t love it when they smell. Or when they’re tracking in mud. Or, ...
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How to Replace a Toilet Flush Valve Step by Step
Bathrooms are important rooms in the home, providing a convenient place for people to bathe, brush their teeth, shave...
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How to Use a Bissell Little Green
New owners of Bissell’s Little Green carpet cleaning appliance might be a little apprehensive to get started—at least...
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You’re Probably Washing Your Microfiber Towels Wrong—Here’s How to Do It Properly
Microfiber towels are versatile cleaning tools that can help remove dust, dirt, and grime from surfaces both inside a...
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This Is the Best (and Cheapest) Way to Flatten a New Area Rug
From vacuuming to carpet cleaning, keeping the rugs in your home looking their best can be a challenge. New rugs have...
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How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro
Learning how to paint your own furniture opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to create custom pieces whil...
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How to Be Your Own Plumber
Plumbing is a key component in any modern home, playing an important part in delivering clean water to the property a...
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How to Craft Fiber Accessories for Your Home
Looking for a new way to express your creativity? Give fiber arts a try! There are plenty of items you can create wit...
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How to Grow Rhubarb
One of the largest perennial vegetables you can grow at home, tart rhubarb is usually treated as a fruit. When combin...
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How to Strip Laundry the Right Way
Laundry stripping has hit the mainstream. It's a technique that removes buildup and residue embedded in your clothes ...
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How to Wrap a Gift in 4 Attractive Ways
When it comes to gift-giving, it’s the thought that counts—but there’s something to be said about the presentation as...
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How to Build a Classic Adirondack Chair
Few pieces of furniture are as recognizable as the Adirondack chair. Its low center of gravity enhances stability, wh...
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How to Measure for Wallpaper in 6 Quick Steps
Wallpaper can add so much personality and texture to your space. However, wallpaper projects can seem intimidating fo...
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How to Open a Bottle Without a Bottle Opener: 10 Easy Methods
No one can claim innocence here. We’ve all been in a position where the only thing between us and a cold one is a pop...
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What to Do With Old Computers: Environmentally Friendly (and Secure) Solutions
Q: I finally upgraded my old, slow laptop for a newer model. I know throwing old computers in the dumpster is bad for...
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What to Do With Old Cell Phones (Because You Can’t Throw Them Away)
Q: While cleaning out my desk I realized that I have several old cell phones that I’ve been meaning to get rid of. I’...
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12 Bookshelf Plans You Can Build in a Weekend
Building a bookshelf can be a fun and rewarding project, and it’s a task suitable for woodworkers of all levels, even...
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I Started Recycling in 2023—Here’s Why It’s Not What I Expected
In January I kicked off my New Year’s resolution to recycle at home. For full disclosure, I’ve paid for and participa...
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The Best LLC Services of 2024
Whether one is starting a side hustle or launching a new business, it’s important to consider forming a limited liabi...
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How to Build a Workbench That Fits Just About Anywhere
Stationary and sturdy by day, mobile and minimal by night, our workbench is designed to assist DIYers with a wide var...
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How to Macrame: 7 Key Knots to Know
Learning how to macrame is straightforward, and once you have a few basic knots under your belt, you can make a range...
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How to Install a Bidet Attachment
Toilet paper is a bathroom staple, but paper products aren’t cheap—and anything thicker than one-ply isn’t great for ...
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The Best Winter Grass Fertilizer of 2023
Summer takes a toll on lawns, but winter grass fertilizers help them grow new roots and green up in spring. Don’t let...
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Solved! What Are the 8 Different Types of Business Licenses?
Q: I’m thinking about starting a professional contracting business, but I’m not sure what I need to do in terms of li...
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How to Get a Business License in 7 Simple Steps
Getting a business license is an important step when an entrepreneur starts their own venture, and it doesn’t have to...
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How to Install Butcher Block Countertops
Butcher block is essentially a type of wood construction that typically consists of solid wood strips that have been ...
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How to Freeze Dry Food the Right Way
Freeze drying is a process for preserving different types of food, and the benefits of freeze-dried food are many. Wh...
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How to Embroider By Hand: 8 Key Stitches to Know
Hand embroidery looks difficult, but it’s actually one of the easiest fiber crafts to learn—not to mention one of the...
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15 Embroidery Patterns for Beginners
Learning how to embroider is easy, and best of all, it’s possible to make a huge variety of artwork with even the sim...
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How to Organize a Chest Freezer for Safe, Long-Term Food Storage
A chest freezer is a terrific asset for food storage, but these appliances aren’t always easy to keep organized. An u...
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Building a Shed Looks Easy—Here's What We Learned When Building a ShelterLogic Shed
Tired of all that clutter in your garage? Maybe it’s time to give your yard tools their own space. When it comes to s...
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How to Install a Shade Sail
Shade sails have quickly become one of the most popular ways to create an open-air outdoor living space shaded from t...
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How to Clean a Sand, DE, or Cartridge Pool Filter
True to its name, a pool filter catches and removes dirt, oils, and other debris out of the pool water. However, thes...
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How to Vacuum a Pool Like a Pro
A pool is a huge benefit when the weather is hot, but without proper care and maintenance, the water can become an un...
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How to Install a Chain Link Fence
Chain link fencing has many benefits. It’s more affordable than other fence types and it adds a measure of security t...
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“Jobber Saved My Company”: Is Jobber Really the One Tool That All Home Service Pros Need?
From house painting to lawn care, the home-service industry thrives on offering property owners specialized services ...
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I Tested the KitchenAid FreeFlex Dishwasher: Does the Handy Third Rack Justify Its Price?
I knew the time was coming to replace our 16-year-old dishwasher, and as I began my research into the best dishwasher...
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The Best Sanders for Hardwood Floors of 2023
It’s possible to use just about any sander for hardwood floors, but some can involve a long, laborious, and uncomfort...
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How to Remove a Tick Safely
Discovering a tick in one’s hair or stuck to another place on the body is distressing. Unfortunately, there are sever...
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How to Clean a Bathroom Fan
Keeping the bathroom exhaust fan clean is an important—yet often overlooked—home maintenance task. A layer of dust co...
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How to Insulate a Shed in 8 Easy Steps
A shed can often benefit from insulation. Whether it’s a simple storage space for lawn and garden equipment, a backya...
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How to Dispose of a Grill Properly
Q: We just ordered a new grill for our deck. I need to get rid of the old grill to make space for the new one, but I’...
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How to Knit for Beginners: 6 Key Stitches to Know
Knitting is a fun and productive pastime—not only is the process itself meditative, but when done right, it should en...
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How to Use a Torque Wrench
Especially important when it comes to car maintenance, a torque wrench tightens bolts to a specific torque level, ens...
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How to Clean Battery Terminals for At-Home Auto Maintenance
At some point or other, most car owners will need to learn how to clean battery terminals if they don’t already know ...
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How to Reupholster a Couch Like a Pro
Cleaning upholstery with a steam cleaner or other cleaning products can only go so far. Sometimes the fabric on your ...
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How to Use a Belt Sander
A handheld belt sander will rip through old paint or varnish in minutes. It can smooth flooring or decking at remarka...
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How to Grow Raspberries
Packed with vitamins and flavor, raspberries are growing in popularity in home and restaurant dishes. Since lusciousl...
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Don’t Forget This Crucial Safety Step When Arranging Rooms
Knowing how to anchor furniture to the wall (as well as televisions) is a crucial part of making a home safe for chil...
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How to Install LED Light Strips
Many lighting projects might challenge the average DIYer, but learning how to install LED strip lights while avoiding...
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How to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve
Typically, toilet fill valves last about 5 years without any issues, depending on the quality of the valve, hard wate...
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How to Clean a Nespresso Machine
A morning espresso is a boost that can help start the day off right, and, for many, a Nespresso machine is the magica...
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How to Be Your Own Tech Support
High-speed WiFi networks and smart home devices make our lives easier by providing us with entertainment, security, a...
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Resolved to Get Involved in 2023? How to Put Your Skills to Use Around Your Community
Is 2023 the year you become more active in your community or more impactful with the causes that are important to you...
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How to Restart a Router and Modem
For most folks, slow internet is a nightmare from the past. Needing 15 minutes to load a video or several hours to do...
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How to Crochet for Beginners: 6 Key Stitches to Know
Learning how to crochet opens up a world of crafting possibilities. From cozy blankets and custom clothing to decorat...
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How to Weld Your Own Stuff
Welding is an increasingly popular hobby, and for good reason. It can be used to fix a gate or repair a car, saving a...
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How to Clean an Air Fryer
If you love crispy fries or a speedy weeknight meal, then an air fryer provides a healthy, easy way to prepare food. ...
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How to Put on a Duvet Cover: 2 Stress-Free Methods
When it comes to choosing your bedding, there are plenty of options, from quilts to comforters. Duvet covers can also...
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How to Use a Router the Right Way
Woodworking can challenge your DIY skills and encourage creativity. However, sticking to the most basic tools can be ...
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This One Repair Can Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
A water heater is an essential part of most homes, providing hot water for cooking, cleaning, and personal care. With...
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How to Paint Particle Board
Whether or not particle board can be successfully painted is a question that crops up quite often, and usually it’s f...
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How to DIY a Board-and-Batten Wall
Board-and-batten has traditionally been the stuff of barns and exterior cladding. Often rough-sawn and ready for the ...
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How to Darn a Sock by Hand
With all the wear and tear from walking around, it’s no surprise that socks deteriorate quickly, often sprouting hole...
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How to Clean a Blender
While there are a few things you should never put in a blender, overall, they’re valued as versatile kitchen timesave...
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How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets
If you live in the Southeastern United States, you might be dealing with a mole cricket problem. These pests (which a...
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How to Test for Radon in Your Home
Do you know if radon gas is present in your home? Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is naturally...
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How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress Properly
Memory foam mattresses have become the go-to construction for most of America’s bedding manufacturers due to memory’s...
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How to Glue a Puzzle
Seeing the finished product after spending hours putting the pieces together over a puzzle table can feel quite rewar...
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This Is the Best Way to Clean Leather Car Seats
Let’s face it, no one likes getting into a dirty car, whether it’s their own or someone else's. And if you’ve got nic...
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How to Build a Classic Snowman
Snowflakes are falling, and you know what that means! It’s time to put on your snow gear and head outside. The arriva...
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How to Install Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Like a Pro
Wallpaper adds character and dimension to any space, but hanging it can be difficult, messy, and time-consuming. Not ...
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How to Sew Curtains
Curtains do more than just block light and offer privacy. A stylish window covering can bring color, texture, and cha...
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How to Clean an Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oil diffusers can help set the right mood at home, depending on the scents you choose. If you enjoy diffusi...
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How to Grow Microgreens at Home
When it comes to young vegetables, microgreens are “the next size up from sprouts,” according to North Carolina Unive...
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How to Grow Purple Heart Plants
With their striking purple leaves and gorgeous flowers, purple heart plants are a beautiful addition to any ornamenta...
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How to Hang a Chair From the Ceiling Securely and Safely
Hanging chairs are a staple of retro and modern interior design aesthetics and common on traditional porches. They of...
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How to Grow Gerbera Daisies
Although not actually a daisy, gerbera does belong to the same plant family as daisies, but it more closely resembles...
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Master Umbrella Plant Care for a Cheerful Indoor Tree, Rain or Shine
Umbrella plants are known for their whorls of glossy leaves. When they hang downward, the leaves resemble umbrellas o...
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This Guide to Pitcher Plant Care Can Help Keep Bugs at Bay Naturally
Pitcher plants are carnivorous, which eliminates their need for plant food. Tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp. )...
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How to Grow a Beard for No-Shave November: Bob Vila's Best Tips
Since 2009, No-Shave November has been an annual opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support nonprofits that ...
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How to Use a MIG Welder
MIG welding is extremely popular with both beginners and professionals. It is undoubtedly the easiest to learn of the...
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How to Read a Power Meter to Monitor Your Home’s Energy Usage
There’s a growing focus on electric meters lately. With energy prices rising, many folks may have developed trust iss...
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These DIY Upholstery Cleaners Work as Well as Store-Bought Options
Even the most careful among us can get dirt and stains on our furniture upholstery, but store-bought chemicals aren’t...
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How to Get Rid of Cabbage Worms
Cabbage worms can pose a real threat to cruciferous vegetables in the garden. These velvety green caterpillars nibble...
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How to Grow a Eucalyptus Plant Indoors
If you’ve ever dabbled in aromatherapy—or if you’re a koala bear—you’re probably familiar with the fragrant leaves of...
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How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs
Boxwood shrubs are dense evergreens that don’t feel like typical evergreens. This slow-growing perennial features lea...
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How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers Naturally
Whether you just spotted a grasshopper inside the house or have noticed a recent uptick in grasshopper damage in your...
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How to Roll Up an Extension Cord: 4 Tangle-Free Methods
Keeping a workspace organized and free of clutter, regardless of the project, improves the overall safety conditions ...
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How to Get Rid of Maggots Naturally
The presence of maggots is a dreaded sight for homeowners unlucky enough to have attracted them. These slimy white wo...
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Venus Flytrap Care 101: How to Grow This Carnivorous Plant Indoors
It’s almost impossible to not be fascinated by a plant that gets most of its nutrients by actively luring and trappin...
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Follow This Guide to Ivy Plant Care to Grow Colorful, Contained Vines Indoors
From Greek myths to English ballads, the ivy plant has long held a prominent place in popular culture. Like the beaut...
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How to Declutter Your Home Once and for All
No matter how hard we try to keep our homes tidy and organized, clutter inevitably creeps in over time. Not only is i...
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This Is the Absolute Best Way to Clean a Couch
Couches are designed as a comfortable spot to sit and relax day in, day out. Unfortunately, this means keeping a couc...
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How to Remove Heat Stains From Wood: 7 Methods That Work
Heat stains are an enduring concern for both seasoned homeowners and those who have just made their first furniture p...
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This is the Best Way to Clean Car Windows
Knowing the best way to clean car windows is important for safe driving. Improper cleaning can leave behind unsightly...
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How to Replace a Circuit Breaker
A home’s entire electrical system runs through one distribution hub: the electrical panel. The electrical panel, or b...
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How to Get Rid of Woodworms to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture
Woodworms are one of those common household pests that many have heard of, but most people know little about. In fact...
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Maidenhair Fern Care: How to Master This Humidity-Loving Houseplant
Among the frilliest of outdoor ferns, the maidenhair also can be the most formidable to grow indoors. Don’t blame thi...
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How to Test Pool Water
Keeping the water clean, clear, and ready for swimmers is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a swimming...
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The Best Railing Planters
An easy way to add greenery to an outdoor space is with a railing planter. They can house colorful flowers, herbs, or...
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How to Grow Wisteria
Wisteria, with its grape-like clusters of usually purple blooms, often is identified with the South. However, hardy w...
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How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener: 3 Tried-and-True Methods
Canned goods—such as soups, meats, beans, and vegetables—are a staple in many kitchens. Manual and electric can opene...
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How to Grow Coleus
There’s a reason that coleus plants have been popular since the 19th century—after all, how often are ornamental plan...
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How to Use a Lathe for Woodturning
As far as woodworking projects go, few are as satisfying as those turned on a lathe. But what is a lathe? A lathe is ...
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How to Use a Charcoal Grill
Regardless of whether you are preparing steaks, burgers, or chops, grilling with charcoal is a great way to add a smo...
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How to Siphon Gas From Outdoor Power Equipment for Seasonal Storage
While siphoning gas is normally associated with nefarious activities, there are many aboveboard reasons to learn this...
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The Best PVC Pipe Cutters
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is a common material in drains, vents, water mains, and irrigation systems because it’s...
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How to Protect Your Windows From Hurricane Damage
Those who live in coastal regions in the Southern U. S. know all too well about the damage and destruction a hurrican...
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Earn Your Stripes as an Indoor Gardener by Mastering This Zebra Plant Care Routine
Although zebra plants (Aphelandra squarrosa) have a reputation for being among the hardest-to-please houseplants, the...
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How to Open Painted-Shut Windows
When you move into an older home, it's not uncommon to find at least one window painted shut. Wood windows add plenty...
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How to Clean a Lampshade
Keeping your home dust-free is sometimes easier said than done. Unfortunately, dust collects everywhere, not just on ...
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How to Grow Brussels Sprouts
If tomatoes are the heroes of the summer garden, then brussels sprouts are the kings of cool-season crops. Not only d...
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How to Grow Broccoli
The phrase “eat your veggies” might bring back memories of overcooked greens, but fresh broccoli from your vegetable ...
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How to Clean a Bird Bath the Right Way
If you want your yard to be a welcoming place for birds, there are a few things you should do, including make your wi...
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The Best Ant Farms
Keeping an ant farm is a rewarding pastime for children and adults. Formally known as a formicarium, these fascinatin...
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How to Grow Petunias
Petunias may just be the teacher’s pets of the plant world. They work hard at blooming and almost always look good. T...
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How to Pack Dishes for Moving to Avoid Breakage
Perhaps no belongings are more at risk during a move than the dishes, plates, glasses, and cookware that inhabit your...
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How to Grow Marigolds
Marigold care is easy, since the plants thrive almost anywhere they have sun and well-draining soil. They are often g...
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How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper
One of the most overlooked parts of a bathroom sink is the sink plug; this is because many people don’t understand th...
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Water-Bath Canning for Beginners
 Water-bath canning is a terrific, cost-effective way to preserve produce for later in the year. All summer long, hom...
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What Is Banana Water and Is it Actually Good for Plants?
Q: I recently saw a viral video recommending that gardeners make banana water for plants. Is banana water an effectiv...
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How to Stain Brick
Many homes have brick facades, fireplaces, mantels, interior walls, and walkways. Although it’s a long-lasting buildi...
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How to Grow Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii) are prized for their showy cones of tiny fragrant flowers, which attract butterfl...
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How to Grow Asparagus
If walking through the farmers’ market gives you garden envy, then you know the joy and satisfaction of growing your ...
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How to Grow Lantana
Popular for its ability to produce clusters of long-lasting flowers year-round in frost-free zones, lantana also can ...
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The Right to Repair Movement Is Heating Up—Here's What All DIYers Need to Know
After you purchase a car, grill, phone, generator, or pretty much any other product, the general assumption is that y...
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How to Grow Zinnias
When it comes to pops of color in the garden bed, few flowers rival a hardy zinnia. Zinnias grow in a variety of colo...
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How to Grow Carrots
Bugs Bunny was onto something, always munching on carrots. These root vegetables aren’t just tasty—they’re good for y...
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How to Grow Geraniums
If the sight of a bright red geranium in a pot on the porch gives you a nostalgic feeling, you’re not alone. This har...
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How to Dispose of Tires Properly
Q: My car got a flat tire the other day. I was able to change the tire without issue, but I realized I don’t know how...
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How to Grow Citronella Plant Outdoors
The supposedly mosquito-repellent citronella plant contains only a tiny amount of citronella. The citronella used in ...
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The Best Underlayments for Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to recreate the look of solid wood while being ...
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The Best Moth Repellents
While moths aren’t a dangerous creepy-crawly to find in a home, they can be destructive, so it’s worth preventing or ...
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What is a Gabion Wall and How Do You Use It in Your Home Landscape?
A gabion wall offers numerous home landscaping possibilities: They can serve as a budget-friendly retaining wall, enh...
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The Best Yarn Winders
Yarn winders are useful tools for knitters and crocheters, making it simple to turn other yarn ball types into yarn c...
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The Best DeWalt Table Saws of 2023
Table saws are a versatile staple of DIY enthusiasts, home woodworkers, and jobsite contractors, capable of accuratel...
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The Best Sauna Heaters for the Most Comfortable Home Spa Experience
A key component to an efficient, comfortable home sauna is the choice of heater. There are a number of different opti...
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The Best Greenhouse Heaters
A greenhouse heater makes it possible to create suitable plant and vegetable growing temperatures year-round. Greenho...
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How to Properly Dispose of a Fire Extinguisher
Q: I was cleaning out my parents’ house the other day, and I found an fire extinguisher that looks like it’s about 20...
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How to Attract Birds to Feeders: 13 Simple Strategies That Work
It’s fun and relaxing to watch a diverse assortment of birds flit in and out of your yard, and it’s gratifying to kno...
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10 Smart Ways to Upcycle Old Tablecloths
Need yards of fabric for a craft project, but don’t want to spend big bucks on fancy textiles? Look no further than y...
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Have a Green Thumb? These Side Hustles Could Make You Big Money
The gig economy is here to stay. If you’re looking to make some extra money outside of your full-time employment, why...
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3 Surefire Ways to Attract Dragonflies to Your Yard for Natural Mosquito Control
Dragonflies and damselflies are known for their colorful appearances—but they aren't just pretty to look at. They're ...
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How to Prune Lilacs
When considering how to prune lilacs, keep in mind that those shrubs reportedly flower better on newer wood, so you c...
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How to Install Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro
Learning how to install kitchen cabinets isn’t as difficult as it may seem. The most important part of installation i...
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This Is the Correct Way to Dust Your Home
Have you ever wondered what dust is made of? Skin cells, animal dander, pollen, and lint are some of the more commonl...
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How to Get Candle Wax Out of a Jar: 4 Effective Methods
Candle jars come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Once the candle has finished burning, the glass container lends it...
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How to DIY the Terrazzo Tile Trend
Terrazzo is everywhere in home decor, from coffee tables to wallpaper to pet food bowls. But the price tags for these...
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How to Dry Flowers: 5 Easy DIY Methods
Dried flowers provide colorful, long-lasting, low-maintenance floral arrangements without the need for watering. Beca...
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How to Steam Clean an Oven: 3 Surefire Methods to Get Rid of Baked-On Gunk
While important, cleaning the oven is one of those tasks that many homeowners would rather put off. Being up to your ...
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How to Make a Bed the Right Way
Many of us were taught to make our bed every morning, but not everyone knows the proper way to make a bed. What order...
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13 Ways to Boost Your WiFi at Home
Streaming video lag, dropped video calls, and dead zones in the far reaches of your home are all symptoms of a frustr...
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How to Cut Screws: 5 Tools That Can Get the Job Done
When a screw head becomes damaged, it can be very difficult to remove from the material in which it is situated. Some...
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How to Make Chalk Paint: 4 Super-Simple DIY Recipes
Chalk paint creates a soft, chalky patina that gives furniture an antique look and it makes refinishing furniture and...
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How to Organize a Tool Box Like a Pro
Whether you’re a keen DIYer or a pro, there’s little more frustrating than being unable to find the right tool when y...
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How to Change a Drill Bit
Changing a drill bit is one of the first steps in a DIYer’s journey from green to great. But, for someone who isn’t q...
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How to Use a Drill
One of the most important DIY tools is the trusty power drill. Equipped with speed and torque, a power drill can bore...
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How to Pressure Wash a Deck for Annual Maintenance
Pressure washing is an effective method for cleaning off dirt, dust, and other debris, as well as stripping layers of...
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How to Arrange Flowers Like a Floral Designer
Whether to commemorate special occasions or just brighten someone’s day, flowers enhance our lives. Beautiful blooms ...
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How to Use a Circular Saw
DIYers have a wide variety of cutting tools available to them, but few are as convenient and versatile as the circula...
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Airbnb Proves a Surprising Donation Platform for Ukrainians—Here’s How
The conflict in Ukraine has captured the attention of the international community, with many looking for a way to off...
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How to Open a Garage Door Without Power
An automatic garage door opener saves a lot of time and effort while ensuring the security of your vehicles, tools, a...
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How to Properly Dispose of a TV
Q: I recently purchased a new television for my living room, but I’m unsure what to do with the old one. What are the...
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How to Stack a Washer and Dryer
If your laundry room is tight on space or you are looking to maximize the square footage, consider stacking your wash...
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How to Remove Pilling From Clothes Using an Item You Probably Have in Your Bathroom
After a few washes, once-pristine wool or cotton fabric often grows visibly fuzzy. The all-too-common tragedy of pill...
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The Definitive Guide on How to Clean All Your Furniture
It might be nice to imagine a special potion that could magically clean and protect all your furniture, regardless of...
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Make This DIY Accent Wall in a Day
Instead of trying to decorate a blank wall with pictures and other decor, consider creating a modern wood accent wall...
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13 Surprising Pantry Items That Naturally Clean and Freshen Your Home
A Cleaner, More Natural HomeMore and more of us are turning away from traditional cleaning products and toward eco-fr...
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What Do the Numbers on a Tire Mean?
Tires hold a lot of information if you know how to read the numbers and letters on them, but many people don’t know h...
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How to Dispose of Knives Properly: 3 Safe Solutions
Q: My old knives have seen better days, and I’m ready to purchase a new kitchen knife set. However, I’m not sure how ...
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Solved! How to Find Your Septic Tank
Q: When I bought my home, I was told the house’s septic system needs to be cleaned out every three to five years. I r...
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Air Plant Care 101
Air plants are ideal houseplants for beginners or anyone who doesn't want to get their hands dirty because they don't...
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How to Sew a Zipper in 6 Zippy Steps
For new seamsters, learning how to sew a zipper can be intimidating, but it’s a must-know skill for many projects. Zi...
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How to Change a Bike Tire
Experienced cyclists know punctures occur frequently, so it’s important to learn how to change a bike tire even if yo...
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How to Sew on a Patch in 5 Easy Steps
A patch can add personality to your closet staples or give a well-loved garment new life. Patches can be used to cust...
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How to Sew by Hand: 7 Key Stitches to Know
Knowing how to sew by hand is a versatile skill, and once you know the basics, you can build on your knowledge to cre...
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How to Sew a Hole in 5 Quick Steps
You can fix small tears in just about any fabric once you know how to sew a hole. Armed with a needle and thread, it’...
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How to Use a Sewing Machine Like a Pro
Knowing how to use a sewing machine opens the door to a whole new world of DIY projects. These tabletop machines are ...
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What Is Leaf Mold and How to Use It in Your Home Landscape
Q: I have several large oak trees that cover my yard in leaves every fall. I’m trying to reduce the cost of disposal ...
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How To Move a Piano Safely
Most homeowners have probably never moved a piano. You don’t need to search, “How much does a piano weigh?” to know t...
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How to Sew a Button in 5 Easy Steps
Knowing how to sew on a button is a useful skill for everyone. It’s an easy-to-do task once you get the hang of it, a...
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How to Dispose of Styrofoam Without Throwing It in the Trash
Q: Between delivery boxes filled with Styrofoam peanuts and takeout orders packed in Styrofoam containers, I always s...
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How to Grow a Banana Plant Indoors
Banana plants are native to Asia, Africa, and Australia, but they are grown in 135 countries around the world for the...
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How to Turn Donated Goods Into a Bigger Tax Refund
If you’ve recently done some downsizing or decluttering, you may have taken a car full of items you no longer needed ...
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How to Pack for a Move
Whether you’re moving out of a small apartment or a multistory house, moving out of one space and into another requir...
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How to Dry Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They impart a lovely, earthy flavor to soups,...
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How To Clean a Dry Erase Board
Whiteboards have replaced blackboards in many classrooms and are also commonly used in workplaces and home offices. W...
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How To: Move a Shed
If you don’t know how to move a shed, it might seem like an impossible task. But, with the right information and prep...
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Solved! How Much Concrete Do I Need Per Fence Post?
Q: The last time I installed a fence it didn’t last long because I underestimated the amount of concrete necessary fo...
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How To: Change Hydrangea Color
Hydrangeas are one of the only types of flowers that can change color. The change in hue happens in response to the a...
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Pitiful Patio? 5 Ways to Rescue a Deteriorating Concrete Patio
If your patio has seen better days, don’t worry; you’re not alone. While concrete is incredibly strong and durable, n...
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Bob Vila's 75 Best Tips for Homeowners
Whether you’re looking to learn about lawn care or tool maintenance, DIY fixes or safety reminders, we know a guy who knows a few things about home care and repai...
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How To Get Rid of Hornets Safely and Effectively
Hornets are a vital part of any garden ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean they are welcome buzzing around the patio or ...
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How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Among all types of insect infestations, bed bugs are among the most feared for homeowners. These tiny insects like to...
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How To Get Rid of Frogs
Frogs are exciting and beneficial creatures to have in your yard—in moderation. The loud croaking that might draw a l...
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How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Effectively and Humanely
When people think of groundhogs, they may picture Punxsutawney Phil or think of the fascinating history of Groundhog ...
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How To: Use Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid, a less-pure variant of hydrochloric acid, is available in high concentrations for use in a host of hom...
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Solved! The Great Debate on Mowing Wet Grass
Q. I’ve seen a neighbor mow the lawn in the morning shortly after the sprinklers were turned off, but I thought this ...
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Solved! Why Is My Smoke Detector Beeping?
Q: This past week, one of our home’s smoke detectors has chirped a few times. We weren’t cooking at the time, and can...
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How to Kill a Tree Stump
Having a tree in your yard cut down can be a tricky and expensive process, but it’s especially frustrating when, afte...
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How to Get Rid of Crickets
The chirping of crickets may be a pleasant sound of summer, but these insects can become a real nuisance, especially ...
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How To: Get Rid of Clover
Stubborn weeds are the bane of a beautiful lawn. Yet, although it’s pretty stubborn, clover (aka Trifolium repens) is...
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How to Make Homemade Window Cleaner
Dirty windows or a streaky glass door are easy to notice and are easy to clean. Yet, cleaning windows and doors alway...
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How To: Repair a Screen Door in 5 Easy Steps
I don’t mind the squirrels taking their turn at the bird feeder, but our dog seems to have developed a personal vende...
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How To: Make a Homemade Deck Cleaner That Works Like a Charm
An outdoor deck sees lots of traffic. Muddy shoes, spilled food, and wet dogs can leave it dirty, stained, and smelly...
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The Best Space Heaters Tested for the Home
Ever-rising utility costs can make heating an entire house prohibitively pricey. To save money but still keep occupie...
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How to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floor refinishing and sanding is unforgiving work. Make a mistake, and it will show. However, a refinished f...
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The Best Book Lights
For voracious bookworms and avid bedtime readers, a reliable book light is a handy tool. These gadgets make reading i...
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How to Stain Concrete
Homeowners used to think of concrete as strictly utilitarian stuff, resorted to only when a better-looking material w...
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Installing a Pocket Door
What's true about fashion can be applied to interior design: If you wait long enough, the old styles come back in vog...
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How To: Water a Christmas Tree
For many, nothing quite says “Christmas” like a real tree. With it comes the tradition of picking one out with loved ...
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How to Jump-Start a Car Without Another Car
A version of this story originally appeared on The Drive. BobVila. com is partnering with The Drive to share syndicat...
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10 Things You Should Know Before You Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree
Whether this is your first time cutting down your own tree or it's an annual tradition, keep these 10 important tips in mind before you head out to the Christmas ...
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The Best Glues to Repair Your Most Treasured Ceramics, Tested
Breaking a ceramic household item is frustrating, but most can be repaired—so long as you have all the pieces and a h...
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7 Reasons Your Car Heater Isn't Working Properly
A version of this story originally appeared on The Drive. BobVila. com is partnering with The Drive to share syndicat...
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The 10 Best Snow Blowers for Driveways and Sidewalks, Tested and Reviewed
When there’s snow on the ground, it can be tempting to run out and buy a snow blower. After all, they do make short w...
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DIY Lite: Set Up a S'mores Station Anywhere with This Tabletop Fire Pit
What's summer without s'mores? Even if your outdoor living space is limited to a small side yard, you can still enjoy...
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Solved! This is How Long It Takes Concrete to “Dry”
Q: I will be pouring a concrete slab as part of a landscaping renovation project and I’d like to know how long it wil...
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Make Your Home Less Chaotic With These 12 Simple Changes
Don’t let clutter and disorganization take charge of your home. These easy tips will help you bring the chaos under control.
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How to Get Rid of Gnats, Indoors and Out
Whether they’re hovering by the hundreds around your fruit bowl, clouding your vegetable garden, or swarming your fac...
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How to Overseed a Lawn
A full, green lawn creates curb appeal and makes you feel like sipping an iced tea on the back patio. But if bare spo...
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The Simple and Mess-Free Way to Install Tile
Considered a high-end upgrade—until now—installing tile has been the domain of professional tile setters, due in larg...
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12 Tips and Tricks We Learned from Professional Movers
Take some of the stress, accidents, and guesswork out of moving with these top tips from the pros.
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The Best Portable Air Conditioners Tested in 2023
True to their name, portable air conditioning units are, well, portable—especially when compared to virtually all oth...
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The Best Tower Fans of 2023
Many people use a fan to assist in circulating indoor air and increasing comfort. Of all the different types of fans ...
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The Best Lawn Fertilizers of 2023
Whoever said, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” probably wasn’t using the right stuff. When it comes t...
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How To: Remove Stain from Wood
If you're updating hardwood floors or refinishing a piece of furniture, for the best results, you need to remove the ...
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5 Things to Know When Removing Carpet from Stairs
There’s a lot to love about carpet when it’s new. It’s thick and fluffy, feels great on your feet, and adds warmth an...
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How To: Install a Smoke Detector
Your home’s first line of defense against fires and smoke should be a trusty set of smoke detectors. These devices pi...
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Testing the Best Patio Heaters for Your Outdoor Space
Investing in a patio heater is a great way to extend the entertaining outdoor season any time of year. We recently te...
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Top Tips for Keeping Countertops Like New
Maintaining your countertops may require more than a simple cleaning. Here are top tips for maintaining every material.
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5 Tips for Building a Strong Shed Foundation
A shed can be a great place to store yard tools and equipment, or it can serve as a useful area for completing projec...
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3 Ways to Cut PVC Pipe
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a type of plastic tubing commonly used for drains. These are the white pipes with pu...
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8 Top Tips for How to Use Compost
Composting is great for your garden and the environment. Instead of dumping vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, grass c...
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15 Cleaning Mistakes Everyone Makes
Believe it or not, there are right and wrong ways to clean the house. Check out what cleaning mistakes you might be making and how to fix them.
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7 Types of Wall Texture and the Techniques Behind Them
Modern trends have tended toward flat, blank walls and a focus on color to bring a room together, but adding a unique...
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The Best Chainsaws Tested in 2023
Landscapers and lumberjacks, whether pros or DIYers, need reliable chainsaws for maintenance, cleanup, and cutting fi...
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5 Fixes for Mold in Hiding in Your Washing Machine
Over time, the moisture inside the washing machine can get trapped in hard to reach places and can easily become a gr...
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7 Things to Know When Painting Kitchen Cabinets
If your kitchen needs a makeover, but you lack the funds or time for a costly renovation, consider simply painting ki...
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The Best Tips for Selling Your Stuff Online
Selling your old stuff online can be a great way to make a few bucks, but a word of caution: It takes a lot more initiative, planning, and follow-through than ope...
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The Best Lawn Edgers Tested in 2023
Whether your yard is large or small, minimally landscaped or filled with flower beds, one of the easiest ways to tame...
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6 Things to Know Before Cutting Metal
Around the home, you won’t frequently run into situations that require you to cut metal, but there are a few DIY proj...
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How to Remove a Broken Bolt
In theory, metal bolts—headed fasteners with external threads that fit into suitable non-tapered nuts—can be removed ...
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5 Things to Know About Succession Planting
If you’d love a steady supply of fresh vegetables, the tried-and-true farming practice of succession planting could f...
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How to Clean Windows
Even when the sun is shining, you may not get the maximum amount of natural light in your home if your windows are co...
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The Best Garage Heaters For Workshop Comfort, Tested
For DIYers and hobbyists, a garage can often be project central. It can be the place to store tools and to work on a ...
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The Best Air Purifiers for Allergies of 2023
Our homes are loaded with dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other indoor air pollutants. Poor ventilation and the u...
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The Best Solar Path Lights Tested in 2023
Path lights help extend outdoor enjoyment well past sunset, and when solar powered, they don’t even add to your elect...
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The Best Robot Vacuums Tested in 2023
The advent of robot vacuums heralded a new era of more convenient carpet and hard floor cleaning. Robot vacuums have ...
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Why Is My House So Dusty? 8 Common Culprits–and What to Do About Them
Q: I pride myself on keeping a tidy home, but I can’t seem to get a handle on the dust. It seems like a layer of dust...
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The Best Portable Grills, Tested and Reviewed
Those who host frequent backyard cookouts tend to have firm opinions about what kind of grill keeps mouths watering. ...
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Solved! Why Are My Succulents Dying?
Q: I thought I’d finally found a plant I couldn’t kill, but the small collection of succulents I arranged in my livin...
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The Best Kitchen Trash Cans Tested in 2023
Management of kitchen waste is a daily chore. To make it easier on yourself, equip your kitchen with the best trash c...
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8 Types of Nail Guns You Should Know—and How to Use Them
Whether you’re looking to add shiplap, install trim, or tackle one of the hundreds of other carpentry projects, a nai...
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The Best Air Mattresses for Camping, Travel, and Overnight Guests
Air mattresses enable you to host guests when you don’t have extra beds and make roughing it a little less rough. You...
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5 Things to Know About Replacing a Garbage Disposal
Uh oh! You turn on the tap, flick the switch, and after a groan your garbage disposal goes silent, leaving you with a...
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The Best Drill Bits Tested in 2023
When one is assembling a tool kit for home improvement, maintenance, and construction projects, one of the first item...
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The Best Cordless Drills for DIYers
With many of today's tools running on powerful, long-lasting batteries, DIYers aren't limited by the length of a cord...
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6 Things to Know Before Spraying Insecticide
The much-anticipated arrival of spring also brings a plethora of insects. Some, like ladybugs and honeybees, are bene...
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The Best Power Hedge Trimmers of 2023
Hedges establish boundaries in landscaping, add privacy, and benefit curb appeal, but to look their best, they need s...
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14 Easy Ways to Increase Humidity in a Dry House
Q: In winter, the central heating in our home makes the air very dry. I also suspect that the lower temperatures and ...
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The Best Standing Desks for Elevating Your Workspace
Sitting all day while working can get uncomfortable and it isn’t ideal for your health. For fitness—or even just for ...
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What's the Difference? Prefinished vs. Unfinished Hardwood Flooring
The to-do lists are long in a home renovation—and that's before you account for unexpected tasks like running to the ...
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The Best Paint Sprayers Tested in 2023
Want to speed up your paint job? Equip yourself with a paint sprayer! We field-tested some of the most capable, popul...
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The Best Door Locks of 2023
An entry door lock is an essential element of home security. Choosing one might seem like a simple decision, but ther...
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The Best LED Light Bulbs of 2023
Nowadays, many renters and homeowners choose light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) over the classic incandescent, fluores...
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4 Important Tools for Detecting a Gas Leak
Stop for a moment and consider the number of appliances in the home that run on gas.  These days, many stoves, furnac...
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Solved! What is Water Hammer, and How Can I Fix It? 
Q: When the water reaches the fill level in my washing machine and the agitation cycle starts, I always hear a loud s...
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Solved! Can You Paint Over Wood Stain?
Q: My childhood dresser is beautiful but the wood stain looks faded. I’d love to update it with fresh paint and new h...
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How To: Install Base Cabinets
One fundamental rule applies to the installation of just about anything: If you get the first piece right, the others...
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How to Make Your Christmas Tree Last All Season
You found the perfect Christmas tree, now you just need to make sure it survives until December 25. Luckily, with these helpful tips keeping your fir fresh isn't ...
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Solved! What to Do About a Broken Window Seal
Q: Until last week, I could look out my kitchen window to watch the songbirds at my backyard feeder. But something mu...
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How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace
At first, it may seem like a foolproof undertaking: You put some wood in the fireplace, light a match, then sit back ...
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7 Easy Ways to Increase Your Garage Door Security
Your house is only as safe as its weakest entry point, and for many, that point is an overhead garage door. While hom...
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Solved! How to Keep Squirrels Away from Bird Feeders
Q: We love to watch the birds in our backyard, and have installed several feeders that have successfully attracted th...
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How To: Find a Roof Leak
The hardest part of fixing a roof leak? A lot of times, it's simply locating the problem. Sure, it's easy enough to s...
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How To: Dispose of Paint
No matter what you're painting—your home's exterior, the living room, or the furniture you recently bought secondhand...
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Solved! How Often to Change a Furnace Filter
Q: I turned on my furnace for the first time this year, and it made the whole house smell musty. I checked the filter...
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How to Remove Water Stains From Wood
Wood furniture is beautiful, but it’s not impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. To retain their looks, ne...
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How To: Build a Temporary Wall
If you can't live with the layout of your space, a temporary wall may be just the solution you need. For decades, ren...
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5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder
We’ve all been in this situation: "Oh, I just need to find a wall stud so I can securely hang this picture/TV/floatin...
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5 Fireplace Maintenance Tasks to Complete Every Fall
As days get shorter and the weather gets colder, we retreat indoors to the warmth of our homes and hearths. If you ha...
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Solved! When—and How—to Repot a Plant
Q: When should I repot a plant? And how do I ensure success?A: Plants don’t stay little for long, especially if they ...
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How to Use Wood Filler to Repair Furniture, Flooring, and More
Badly scratched hardwood flooring, rotted window frames, and chipped furniture are common problems that can be time-c...
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How to Clean a Humidifier
A hardworking room humidifier is a lifesaver during the dry, cold months of winter. Its dedicated function—adding moi...
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What Would Bob Do? Hanging a Heavy Mirror
Q: What would be the best way to hang a 40-pound framed mirror? Should I find the studs in the wall or use a picture ...
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How To: Whitewash Wood
In contrast to a regular paint job, whitewashing brightens the look of wood surfaces while allowing their natural gra...
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The Easiest Way to Clean Shower Doors
It's always a challenge to clean shower doors of the hard water stains and soap scum that lingers after a wash, but y...
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Gas vs. Electric Stove: Which is Better?
Gas stoves cook food using an open flame when the gas is ignited, while electric stoves use electricity and metal hea...
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10 Things to Know About Disposing of Old Electronics
Save cash and protect the environment by doing the right thing with your outmoded cell phone, tablet, and other gadgets.
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10 Ways to Know Whether You Should Repair a Foundation Crack
Your home’s foundation—the concrete walls surrounding a basement or crawl space—supports the entire weight of the hou...
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4 Tips for Repairing a Leaky Roof
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for homes today, accounting for nearly 70 percent of domestic ...
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How to Close a Summer Home
End-of-summer chores at the shore aren’t much fun, but will prevent leaks, smells, and pests in the long run. Follow our checklist for what needs to be done befor...
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9 Pro Tips for Building an Outdoor Kitchen
To create a functional and beautiful outdoor kitchen, you need materials that can really stand up to the elements—and few materials surpass the durability of ston...
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9 Tips for Keeping Your Garbage Disposal in Top Shape
Your under-sink workhorse doesn't need strict maintenance to continue out its duties—only sensible care. You probably...
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Replace Dated Popcorn Ceilings with This New Texture
They are cheap and easy to install, and they camouflage a host of flaws, but popcorn ceilings are also dated and tend...
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Garden Hose Repair: 4 Fast (and Frugal) Fixes
When intact, your garden hose is a trusty tool for hydrating your lawn, rinsing debris from your deck, and just about...
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The Bug Behind Your Patchy, Brown Grass
Q: Until this year, my tall fescue lawn has always been plush and green, but a few weeks ago, some yellow spots devel...
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Why Is My Dryer Not Heating? Solved!
Are you stumped by the fact that your dryer seems to take forever these days? If your clothes dryer needs more time t...
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The Biggest Mistakes Most People Make at Garage Sales
Garage sales are go-to destinations for bargain hunters and antiques aficionados in search of one-of-a-kind pieces to complete their home or wardrobe. But make a ...
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10 Things You Should Always Do When You Stay in an Airbnb
Staying in a stranger’s home on your next trip? To ensure a snag-free visit, follow these 10 rules gathered from seasoned travelers as well as Airbnb. With all th...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Kitchen Sink Is Clogged
Q: Last night my kitchen sink clogged up while I was in the middle of a load of dirty dishes. By morning, the sink ha...
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The Secrets to Pouring Concrete in the Heat of Summer
While summer sunshine encourages outdoor projects, it also poses its own set of challenges. Ahead, learn how to beat the heat when pouring garden edging, patio sl...
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How To: Paint Over Wallpaper
Looking to redo a wall that has been papered? If you weren't the one to put up the existing layer wallpaper, any numb...
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How to Clean Battery Corrosion in 4 Steps
 Batteries—particularly the alkaline kind—can leak over time, and when they leak inside an electronic device, they ca...
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5 Ways to Prevent Cracks in Concrete—and 1 Easy Fix
Even if it's your first concrete project, you can ensure a long-lasting, professional finish by steering clear of a few pitfalls and, if necessary, using the righ...
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Solved! What It Means When Your Toilet Hisses
Q: How’s this for a peculiar plumbing problem: After every flush, our toilet hisses, just like a loud snake. It start...
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11 Things to Know Before Visiting the Lumber Yard
Choosing the right wood for a home improvement project can be tricky for experienced woodworkers and novice DIYers alike. Luckily, knowing a few key lumber facts ...
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How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie or Glechoma hederacea, also commonly known as ground ivy, is an insidious weed that is both resilien...
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16 Pro Tips for Painting Interior Doors
Give your doors a fresh coat and you’ll be surprised by the striking impact it has on a room.
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The Best Options for Bathroom Floor Tile in 2023
Bathroom floor tile is available in a surprising number of materials. Ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl tiles often come ...
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Solved! How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your House
Q: I recently inherited a beautiful chair from my grandparents. Unfortunately, they were heavy smokers, and the cigar...
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How to Paint a Ceiling
Painting is perhaps the easiest of DIY home upgrades, but tackling the ceiling can be a daunting endeavor, particular...
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How to Grout Tile on Floors and Walls
Applying grout is the final step in laying or adhering tile. It’s a messy process but a satisfying one: Yes, grout gi...
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Solved! Here's Exactly When You Should Aerate the Lawn
Q: I recently moved down south from the Northeast and want to keep my new lawn healthy. When is the best time to aera...
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How To: Paint a Bathtub
The focal point of a full bath is often its tub, which ought to be pristine and gleaming. If yours is pitted, chipped...
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How To: Clean an Area Rug
For many of us, area rugs are a significant investment in decor. They warm up and add color to our rooms. They provid...
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How to Clean Paint Brushes The Right Way
 After completing a big painting project, you may be tempted to plop down to rest and leave the cleanup until later. ...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Dishwasher Isn't Cleaning
Q: My dishwasher is only two years old, and until recently, it’s done a great job. For the past month or so, it’s bee...
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How To: Clean Stainless Steel
Gleaming and shiny, stainless steel brings a bright and polished air to any kitchen. Keeping that brilliant sheen, ho...
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Solved! How to Repair Popped Nails
Q: I just bought a house and am planning to paint over its existing green interior walls with a fresh coat of country...
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Tackle this Task Right After the New Year to Protect Your Property
No one likes to think about the possibility of fire, flood, storm damage, or theft. But should such a disaster occur,...
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Solved! How Often You Should Actually Be Vacuuming
Q: I only vacuum my floors when I notice them looking dingy. How often should you vacuum?A: Interior designers and hy...
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8 Ways to Clean Stained Grout
Tile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout? That’s a different story. Because it’s t...
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Bob Vila's 14 Best Tips for Drilling
Every homeowner encounters a bit of drilling sooner or later in their list of projects—whether that's installing curt...
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3 Reasons Why a Sealant Is the Key to Winter-Proofing This Year
Along with colorful falling leaves, tailgate parties, and family gatherings, autumn’s crisp air brings a reminder of ...
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How to Use Drywall Anchors
So, you want to hang something heavier than an average photo frame from your drywall: Whether you’re putting in a scr...
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14 Store Policies You Should Be Taking Advantage Of
Whether you’re holiday shopping or planning a wedding, these stores make life easier with their generous return policies. Fortunately, they also carry a wide arra...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
Most of us spend the majority of our kitchen cleaning time focusing on the big three—sink, counters, and floors. It's...
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12 Things You Never Thought to Do With Packing Peanuts
Loose-fill packaging materials like polystyrene packing peanuts do a great job of protecting fragile items during transport. But what to do with them once you’ve ...
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The Right Way to Wash Your Towels
Tossing soiled towels in with the rest of the wash won’t get them as clean and fresh as possible because stains, germ...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Caulking Windows
Caulking windows—to give them a finished look (inside and out) and seal out leaks and drafts—is a fairly common DIY t...
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How To: Clean Wallpaper
Is your wallpaper looking a little tired? Over time, dust and moisture can discolor, leaving papered walls dingier th...
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How To: Clean with Mineral Spirits—and Why You Should
Commonly used as paint thinner, mineral spirits—an inexpensive petroleum distillate—is also a versatile cleaner. Whil...
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8 Clever Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality Without a Humidifier
Winter doesn’t just bring colder temperatures outdoors; in most areas, it also means bone-dry air inside your home, a...
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How To: Remove Texture from Walls
Texturing walls is a time-honored method of adding character to a wall or covering such imperfections as drywall tapi...
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How To: Clean a Porcelain Sink
Maintaining a spotless porcelain sink will add charm and luster to your bathroom or kitchen—not to mention value to y...
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Solved! How to Freshen Up a Smelly Fridge
Q: Every time I open the fridge, I get a whiff of sourness that I can’t identify. I’ve already cleaned out all the ol...
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Never Combine Bleach and Vinegar When Cleaning—Here’s Why
Heavy-duty dirt, grime, mildew, and mold accumulations call for powerful household cleaners. And chances are you have...
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How To: Paint Behind a Toilet
The cramped space behind the toilet is a difficult portion of the bathroom to maintain, posing a challenge when it co...
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Solved! When, Why, and How to Use Pilot Holes Correctly
Q: I know it’s a good idea to pre-drill before nailing or screwing two pieces of wood together, but I can’t seem to g...
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How to Clean an Electric Oven
Avid home cooks put their ovens into overdrive not just during the holidays, but year-round. Inevitably, what doesn’t...
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The Easiest Way to Make an Outdoor Bar for All Seasons
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or entertaining Christmas carolers around the chiminea, an outdoor bar provi...
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How To: Check and Dispose of Old Antifreeze
Changing your antifreeze is an important part of preparing your car for cold weather. Antifreeze (also known as coola...
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The Recycling Symbols Every Responsible Homeowner Should Know
Want to recycle more, but don't know what—and what not—to toss in the green bin? Recycling symbols have been imprinte...
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Homeowners, Beware: This Hidden Problem Could Cause Your House to Crumble
In nature, wood rot is a vital decomposition process, turning fallen logs into nutritious soil. But few things send h...
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7 Things to Consider Before Starting a Skylight Installation
Need a little extra light in your life? Consider installing a skylight above an interior room that’s low on natural l...
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How to Match Paint: Our Favorite Old School and High-Tech Methods
Over time, your home’s walls accumulate dings, nail holes, even random spots where some not-so-temporary tape pulled ...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Finishing Basement Walls
With the cost of living space going up, many homeowners are looking down to expand their home’s square footage with a...
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9 Tips for Removing Scratches from Wood Floors
Wood floors bring beauty and value to a home—as long as they are well-maintained. Natural wood is at constant risk of...
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How To: Polish Marble
Marble—a white or uniquely variegated type of limestone that has been exposed to extreme heat and pressure—has a long...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Taping Drywall
Professional drywall taping crews make it look so easy: They move quickly, slather compound on every joint and nail h...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Garage Door Won’t Open
Q: When I returned from work today, I pushed the button on my remote garage door opener but the door didn’t budge. Ev...
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5 Things to Know Before Installing a Shower Drain
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Replacing...
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How to Light a Pilot Light on Gas Appliances
You woke up shivering in a cold house. Your morning shower, usually a warm and pleasant revitalization, was spent fut...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Bathroom Ventilation
Your bathroom is the wettest room in your home. Steamy showers, flushing toilets, running sinks, and occasional drips...
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Solved! Why It's a Mistake to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace
Q: I’d like to hang a new 65-inch TV over the fireplace in our family room, but my partner’s afraid that heat from th...
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8 Things to Know Before Installing Recessed Lighting in Your Home
Unobtrusive illumination installed flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can be found in virtually all types of h...
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How To: Get Rid of Chipmunks
Surely one of the cuter rodents you’ll ever counter, chipmunks are also among the most destructive. These small, stri...
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Why Is My Circuit Breaker Tripping? 4 Potential Problems and Solutions
Q: Every few hours—sometimes minutes!—my living room and one side of my kitchen lose electrical power. I’ll check the...
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How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet: Everything You Need to Know About Selecting and Installing a New Fixture
Has your old kitchen faucet seen better days? Whether yours is leaking water or is simply outdated, replacing a kitch...
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How to Etch Glass—and How to Fake the Look Using Spray Paint
If you’re someone who keeps jars and canisters because “you never know, they could come in handy,” this project is fo...
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Solved! The Best Paint for Ceilings
Q: I’d like to repaint the gray drywall ceiling in my study a fresh white to brighten up the room. Are the pricier pr...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Waterproofing Basement Walls
Because they’re built below grade, basements tend to take on water. You may notice moist basement walls from time to ...
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Solved! How Long Does Gas Last?
Q: I have a gas lawn mower and a gas generator, and I worry that the gas in those tanks has been in there too long. D...
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Backyard Makeover: DIY a Patio Table with a Built-In Cooler for Drinks
Has a relatively empty patio left you uninspired to head outdoors?When it comes to setting up the deck or balcony, yo...
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Cool Tools: The All-in-1 Fix for Just About Any Hole in the Wall
What do you do when you find yourself staring at a hole in a wall caused by a furniture ding, a too-eagerly opened do...
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This DIY Project Provides the Ultimate Finishing Touch for Your Curb Appeal
This content has been brought to you by Quikrete. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Lawn and garden e...
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What You Need to Know Before Burning Leaves at Home
Rake, rake, repeat! That activity seems to sum up many homeowners’ autumn weekends, and just when you think you’re of...
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How to Turn Off Water to Your House
Chances are, there will come a time when you’ll have to turn off the water supply to your home: You may need to do so...
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How To: Wall Mount a Bike
For all of the benefits that come with regularly hitting the road on a bicycle (from a reduced carbon footprint to fe...
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Solved! The Best Time to Plant a Tree
Q: I’d like to plant some new trees to boost our home’s curb appeal. Will they survive if I plant in the fall, or sho...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Gluing PVC Pipe
Pipe made of polyvinyl chloride, commonly called PVC, is used in a variety of residential applications, from plumbing...
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How to Fix a Crack in Glass
A pebble from the lawnmower that flies against a window. A drink set down too heavily on your glass-topped coffee tab...
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10 Classic DIY Projects for the Outdoors
It's time to embrace the warmer weather by tackling a couple of outdoor DIY home improvements. There's so much to be done, where do you start? How about right her...
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Solved! How to Prevent Doors from Slamming
Q: A door in my home tends to slam shut—even occasionally when no one is using it! What causes this and how can I pre...
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10 Tips for Pulling Weeds and Keeping Them Out of Your Yard
Ask any group of gardeners about their least favorite task, and you’re bound to hear a chorus of “Weeding!” Rampant w...
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Solved! What to Do When You Find Ticks in the House
Q: Yesterday I spotted a tick on my bathroom floor, and last week I found one on my clothing. Is it possible that I h...
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10 Brilliant Hacks for Your Best-Ever Paint Finish
Get pro-quality results on your next paint job with these expert tips and tools that promise ease of application, consistent color and texture, and crisp, clean e...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Building Retaining Walls 
Reducing soil erosion, turning steep slopes into terraced backdrops, creating focal points in the landscape—retaining...
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5 Ways to Remove Rust Stains with Common Pantry Staples
You might recall from Chemistry 101 that only iron or iron alloys like steel can form rust when exposed to oxygen and...
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How To: Remove a Broken Light Bulb
Incandescent light bulbs are known to occasionally shatter in their fixtures—and when they do, it’s both difficult an...
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10 Doable Designs for a DIY Rug
Though not always considered essential, area rugs provide comfort and warmth for hard floor surfaces, while adding aesthetics to a room’s design. But the hunt for...
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Solved! What to Do About Cracks in a Concrete Driveway
Q: We just bought a new house and we love it, but the driveway has a few cracks and I’d really like to fix them. Is r...
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How To: Balance a Wobbly Ceiling Fan
Even in the age of central air, ceiling fans still have their lofty place. The welcome breeze they provide evaporates...
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How To: Drain a Toilet
Whether fixing a toilet that’s running or leaking from the base, cleaning the tank, or replacing a unit that’s beyond...
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Solved! What to Do About Mold in the Air Conditioner
Q: There’s been a mysterious, slightly moldy smell in my home all summer, and this morning, when our window air condi...
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Makeover an Ordinary Outdoor Space with a Wall-Mounted Trellis
It's not news: You don’t need to have a huge backyard to enjoy greenery. The key is to embrace your vertical space, a...
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Dos and Don'ts of Building a Fire Pit
Fire pits are a hot commodity! These attractive backyard additions can dress up a drab yard with mesmerizing flames w...
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How to Get Rid of Moss in Your Lawn
Low-growing greenery that reproduces by means of spores, moss can be a lovely velvety addition to your landscape if g...
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How To: Remove Concrete Stains
Concrete driveways, patios, and garage floors may take a beating, but that doesn’t mean they must show the signs. Whi...
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Solved! This is How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen Once and for All
Q: I squashed an ant on my kitchen countertop this morning only to spot more circling the sink. Where did all of thes...
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All You Need to Know About French Polishing
If you’ve ever admired the extraordinarily glossy finish on an antique piece of wooden furniture or a wooden instrume...
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5 Smart Ways to Use a Slab of Concrete
Concrete, that durable, go-to material for foundations and footings, also deserves a place in your home's yard—and we...
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So, You Want to... Paint Your Window Trim
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Whether you hav...
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How To: Clean Bronze
Durable and resistant to water corrosion, bronze has a lovely, warm glow shown off to perfection when crafted into je...
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Solved! This Is How Many Coats of Primer You Need for the Perfect Paint Job
Q: I’ve given in to my daughter’s request to paint her bedroom pink. Is primer required for a job like this and if so...
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5 Keys to Choosing the Right Size Shed
When the time comes to buy a backyard shed, size is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Surprisingly, th...
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The Fastest (and Most Foolproof) Way to Install Fence Posts
Good fences start with good foundations.  Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee ...
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Solved! The Rules for Painting Over Oil-Based Paint
Q: I’d like to repaint my kitchen cabinets, which had been done with oil-based paint. Must I use oil-based paint for ...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Wet Sanding Drywall
When it comes to interior walls, drywall has a lot going for it. It’s inexpensive, fairly easy to install and repair,...
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12 Things Never to Leave in a Hot Car
Common sense dictates that you not leave babies, pets, and expensive gadgets in hot cars. But did you know that some everyday objects, from sunscreen to art suppl...
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How To: Get Rid of Flies Outside
Landing on the food at your backyard barbecue. Buzzing around your face as you do yard work. Zipping through your fro...
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5 Plumbing Repairs Every Homeowner Should Know
While the pleasures of homeownership are great, there will invariably be repairs along the way, especially when it co...
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How To: Paint a Radiator
Radiators have been keeping homes toasty for about 150 years. While yours probably doesn’t date back that far, it may...
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Solved! Does Using Epsom Salts in the Garden Actually Help?
Q: I have heard that Epsom salt can do everything from jumpstarting tomatoes to fertilizing garden shrubs. How do I k...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Safely Felling a Tree
Whether it's blocking your view, is diseased or damaged, or is taking up space you'd rather use for something else, f...
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How To: Attract Owls to Your Yard—And Why You Should!
If mice, voles, or spiders have taken up residence on your lawn or in your garden, consider befriending their enemy: ...
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Mold on Walls? The Key to Permanent Removal Is Knowing Where It Hides
Q: Ugh! I’ve recently discovered gross patches of mold on the walls in my bathroom. Is it dangerous? How do I get rid...
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How to Get Rid of June Bugs
Despite their name, June bugs (Phyllophaga spp. ) are active in adult form in May as well as June. Though the way the...
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How To: Tighten a Toilet Seat
From the pressure of people sitting to the constant opening and closing of the lid and/or seat, your toilets probably...
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How to Install Shiplap
Homeowners can’t seem to get enough of the shiplap look! The on-trend design that mimics historic shiplap—the horizon...
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The Best Outdoor Rugs
The line between indoors and out continues to blur as people take advantage of warmer temperatures, patio heaters, an...
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How To: Paint Textured Walls
While an attractive way to update a knockdown, skip trowel, or orange peel finish, attempting to paint a textured wal...
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6 Things to Know Before You Paint Over Rust
Elegant and durable, metal makes an appearance on furnishings and decor in and out of the house, from entryway benche...
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The Best Dehumidifiers for Basements Tested and Reviewed
Dehumidifiers for basement ventilation reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth leading to cleaner, safer air ...
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How To: Drain a Washing Machine
A hardworking washing machine may stop draining mid-cycle for a number of reasons, such as a kink in the drain hose, ...
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Solved! Which Comes First: Painting the Wall or Trim?
Q: We're gearing up to repaint my living room, but it’s been awhile since I’ve picked up a brush. Friends and family ...
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3 Key Steps to a Concrete Floor Refresh
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Concrete is one...
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How To: Cut Pavers
Pavers—be they brick, stone, or concrete—are a pleasing alternative to large expanses of plain concrete, adding visua...
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Solved! Why Is My Refrigerator Leaking Water?
Q: There’s a small puddle on my kitchen floor that seems to be coming from my refrigerator. Why is my refrigerator le...
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How To: Remove Grout Haze
If you notice a cloudiness suddenly appear across your tiled surfaces only days after a bathroom renovation, it's pro...
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How to Polish Wood Floors
Think about the beating your wood floors endure on a daily basis: high heels, pet nails, children’s toys, and shiftin...
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Solved! What Is a SEER Rating?
Q: My 15-year-old air conditioning unit finally gave up, so I’m in the process of shopping for a new one. I’ve heard ...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Replacing a Toilet
Thanks to their solid construction and simple design, toilets often outlast other bathroom fixtures, but they don’t l...
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How to Paint Bathroom Cabinets
Whether your bathroom vanity has gone dingy with heavy use and exposure to moisture, or it’s just looking dated, pain...
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How To: Remove Scratches from Plastic
Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and...
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How To: Fix a Hole in a Door
Hollow core doors—consisting of a lightweight wood frame covered with composite veneer—are affordable (around $50 per...
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How to Clean Stove Drip Pans Using Products You Already Have in Your Kitchen
Kitchen surfaces are bound to get messy from meal prep, but arguably none more than your stovetop. Take a good look a...
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How To: Dispose of Paint Thinner
Composed of mineral spirits, turpentine, and acetone or other solvents, paint thinner effectively does its job of thi...
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How To: Shellac Wood
Shellac is a versatile, non-toxic wood finish that enhances the natural grain while adding smoothness without the pla...
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How To: Paint Formica Countertops and Cabinets
It’s a dilemma shared by many homeowners: Yes, those tired Formica countertops and cabinet doors in the kitchen or ba...
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How To: Dispose of Dry Ice
Solidified carbon dioxide—better known as dry ice—is commonly used to freeze food or keep it cold longer than regular...
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How To: Patch an Air Mattress
Though invaluable for slumber parties, camping trips, and out-of-town visitors, an air mattress can be rendered usele...
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Solved! This is How High to Mount Your TV on the Wall
Q: I want to get my new TV off of its stand and up onto the wall. How high should I mount my TV? Do you have any advi...
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How to Test for Mold in Your Home in 6 Steps
Damp rooms, such as a bathroom, are prime breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Some of the most common signs of a mo...
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How To: Cut Granite
A popular choice for kitchen and bathroom upgrades, polished and sealed granite has the timeless allure, durability, ...
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How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter
Dishwashers have a filter located under the bottom rack that traps food particles and other debris that comes off of ...
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How To: Remove Epoxy
Epoxy is a heavy-duty bonding adhesive that comes in handy in many different repair projects, from fixing wobbly furn...
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How To: Clean a Stone Fireplace
Dust and dirt may go undetected on the lighter patina of stone fireplaces compared with brick, but your fireplace mus...
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How To: Remove Carpet Glue
Ripping up old carpeting is no small task, but removing the glue used to secure it to the subfloor is a major job all...
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How To: Remove a Wall Mirror
Covering your wall with floor-to-ceiling mirror (or, rather, mirror tiles) seemed like such a good idea back in the 1...
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How To: Dispose of Light Bulbs
If you recently set out to upgrade your home with more energy-efficient light bulbs, you've likely seen there's a big...
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How To: Clean a Popcorn Ceiling
If you live in a house that’s more than a few decades old, you likely have popcorn ceilings, which rose in popularity...
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How to: Clean a Fish Tank
Generally speaking, aquarium fish make great low-maintenance pets with minimal needs for attention and cleaning—perfe...
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How to Prevent and Remove Ice Dams
Q: After a recent snowstorm, a large band of ice formed above the edge of my roof and created some heavy icicles as w...
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How To: Clean Silver Plate
Silver plate platters, tea sets, and flatware—typically made of copper, brass, or nickel and topped with a thin layer...
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How to Clean Granite Countertops
In many people’s minds, granite symbolizes strength and resilience. But if you want to know how to clean granite coun...
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How To: Defrost a Windshield
If you’ve ever parked your car outside during an onslaught of sleet or a frigid winter’s night, you’re familiar with ...
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How to Clean a Waffle Maker
While it’s no one’s favorite chore, cleaning a waffle maker thoroughly after each use is definitely best practice. If...
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How To: Remove Rust from Chrome
Manufacturers add chrome plating to their products to give them a mirror-like finish that says, “I’m high-class. ” As...
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How To: Caulk Baseboards
Prepping to paint your walls a new shade? While you may understand how essential priming is when it comes to hiding t...
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How To: Remove Grease From Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets, thanks to their close proximity to the stovetop, are natural hotspots for grease. Ideally, you’re c...
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This DIY Christmas Tree Stand Makes Your Fake Fir Look Real (and Taller!)
You've adorned every limb with baubles, tinsel, and ribbon, but what's a fully decorated tree if its base remains bar...
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How To: Clean Mattress Stains
A good mattress is a big-ticket purchase, but stains—from bodily fluids to breakfast-in-bed accidents—are often inevi...
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How To: Make Your Own All-Natural Granite Cleaner
Homeowners gush over granite for kitchen counters, bathroom vanity tops, and other surfaces for its ability to handle...
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How To: Hang Christmas Lights Outside
'Tis the season for all things twinkling and bright. In countless communities nationwide, hanging outdoor Christmas l...
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How to Clean a Dishwasher
At first, the idea of cleaning a dishwasher, an appliance that fills with suds and water on an almost daily basis, ma...
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How to Clean a Toilet Tank
You may think that your bathroom is sparkling clean: The faucets gleam, the room smells fresh, and you’ve diligently ...
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How To: Remove Duct Tape Residue
A roll of duct tape can be found in almost every toolbox in the world, thanks to its versatility, accessibility, and ...
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How to Choose the Right Sandpaper Grit and Type for Your Project
Seeing sandpaper on a project checklist may seem like an easy enough item to check off—that is, until you hit the har...
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How To: Make Your Own Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Whether newly installed or more than a hundred years old, hardwood floors are a striking feature in many homes. Wood ...
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How To: Dispose of Cooking Oil
Love cooking those French fries, donuts, and other delicious treats but stumped by what to do with the oil when you’r...
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How To: Paint Wood Wall Paneling
In a room with wood-paneled walls—particularly if that wood is a veneer—your instinct may be to start fresh, either b...
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How To: Paint Chrome
Chrome is distinctive, modern, and cool—all reasons to love it, whether it’s as the bases of your '50s-style bar stoo...
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How to Clean Cookie Sheets
There’s nothing quite as comforting as whipping up a batch of cookies. Once the fun is over, sometimes you’re left wi...
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All You Need to Know About Compost Tea
Even greenhorn green thumbs know that applying compost to soil helps plants fight erosion, pests, and disease. But we...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Dishwasher Is Not Draining
Q: I just opened the dishwasher door to find the bottom of the unit filled with dingy water. My first thought was tha...
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How To: Drill Into Brick
Decorative brick adds warmth and beauty to your home, but its tough surface shouldn’t deter you from hanging your art...
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How To: Remove Spray Paint
Do-it-yourselfers love spray paint as a fast, fun way to complete projects or breathe new life into tired décor. Acci...
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This DIY Rolling Cart Is What Every Kitchen Needs
Having an organized and functional kitchen can sometimes feel unattainable especially if you're working with limited ...
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How to Make Your Own Fertilizer for Plants
If you want lush healthy houseplants and garden growth but aren’t thrilled about paying for costly commercial foods w...
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7 Strong Types of Wood Joints Worth Knowing
Wood joinery, as the term implies, refers to joining pieces of timber or lumber to create other structures. Crafting ...
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How To: Use a Fireplace
During the colder months, nothing beats warming the house with a crackling fire. But while wood-burning fireplaces sh...
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How To: Remove Lead Paint
Adding lead pigment to paint started way back in the Colonial era, as it made paint extremely durable. By the mid-190...
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How To: Make Concrete Pumpkins
This content has been brought to you by Quikrete. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. If you love havin...
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Solved! What to Do About Mice in the Walls
Q: For the first time in my life, I have mice. I had thought that I dreamed the scratching and skittering sounds I he...
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How To: Clean Marble Floors
There’s nothing more elegant than marble, a timeless material available in a variety of colors and veining styles tha...
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How To: Remove Rusted Screws
If you’re repairing old things, you’re bound to run into rusted screws. As long as you keep the right tools and suppl...
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9 Things to Know Before You Screen In a Porch
A porch is an extension of a home’s living area: a place to savor a summer’s breeze, observe wildlife, or bask in bir...
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How To: Wash an Electric Blanket
Cleaning an electric blanket can seem intimidating, even hazardous. Mixing water with electricity? No, thank you. But...
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How To: Thin Latex Paint
Thanks to its easy clean-up and short drying time, latex paint has a leg up over oil-based paint for easy weekend pro...
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How to Protect Plants From Frost
Unexpected early fall and late spring frosts—periods when outside temperatures go below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenhe...
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How To: Paint Leather
If a leather sofa, armchair, ottoman, or other hide-covered furniture appears to be on its last legs, don’t kick it t...
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How To: Rust Metal
Though unwelcome on gardening tools and patio furnishings, rust isn't always something to remove. In fact, with rusti...
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So, You Want to... Paint Your Home's Exterior
Painting the exterior of your house is a big project that can quickly turn into a huge headache if you’re not adequat...
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How To: Remove Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring has been a popular floor choice since its invention in the late ’70s. With a typical lifespan of 15...
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How To: Unshrink Clothes
Have you ever reached for a favorite sweater or pair of jeans only to find that its last spin in the hot dryer caused...
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DIY Lite: A Beginner-Friendly Build for a Rustic Wooden Lantern
Wooden lanterns placed throughout the home—on the window sill, fireplace hearth, dining table, or the steps up to the...
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How To: Remove Ink from Leather
Leather goods are investment pieces that require delicate care, which is why it’s frustrating when they get stained w...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Watering Plants
Whether you're a green thumb or not, you probably already know that all plants need water to thrive—after all, that b...
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How To: Clean Refrigerator Coils
The refrigerator is arguably the most important major appliance in the kitchen, and it’s often the most expensive one...
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So, You Want to... Build an Outdoor Fireplace
It's the ultimate in backyard entertaining—an outdoor fireplace where friends and family gather to share good times a...
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3 Steps to Remove Mildew from Your Home Exterior
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Are mildew stre...
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How To: Cut Plastic
There’s little debate over the proper methods to cut wood. However, cutting plastic—particularly acrylic and polycarb...
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4 Ways to Soundproof a Door That Really Work
While closed doors do a decent job of muffling the noise outside a room, cracks between a door and its casing or thre...
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How To: Remove Stickers from Glass
Whether it’s a new mirror that you brought home or a wine bottle that you’re using for a DIY project, lifting the pri...
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How To: Acid Stain Concrete
Concrete is durable, dependable—and, naturally, a bit cold in tone. If this steely neutral isn't your style, you can ...
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How To: Get Rid of Flying Ants
Flying ants may seem more formidable than their tiny ant counterparts. Interestingly, though, flying ants—also known ...
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Solved! What to Do About Woodpecker Damage
Q: Woodpeckers recently swooped in on my property and did a number on my cedar tree, siding, and roof. How do I plug ...
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How To: Remove Bumper Stickers
Whether they represent a sports team, your alma mater, or your favorite political candidate, bumper stickers let you ...
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How To: Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
Homeowners with seed-bearing boxelder trees on their property may be all too familiar with the insects that lay eggs ...
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How To: Lay Artificial Grass
Artificial grass made its big debut at the Astro Dome in 1966—hence the term Astroturf—but it’s come a long way since...
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All You Need to Know About Starting Seeds Indoors
If you’re itching to get your garden going, don’t wait until the weather outdoors is agreeable—get a jump on the grow...
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How to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Indoor and Outdoor Plants
Your beautiful garden and indoor potted greenery are equally vulnerable to mealybugs, tiny yet destructive pests that...
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9 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger
Those who say "good things come in small packages" probably don't have to contend with small-kitchen challenges like crammed cupboards and limited counter space. ...
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Solved! What Cracks in the Ceiling Really Mean
Q: I just noticed a crack in my ceiling, but I’m not sure how long it’s been there. Is it a normal symptom of an agin...
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How to Use a Caulk Gun
Caulking is one of the easiest and most affordable home fixes. By sealing off unwanted cracks around windows, doors, ...
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How To: Install a Bathroom Fan
Bathroom fans don’t have to sound like a jet engine to remove enough moist air to keep your bathroom mold- and odor-f...
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How to Fix a Stuck Zipper
The zipper keeps everything from jeans and jackets to duffel bags and lunch boxes closed tight. Still, for all its si...
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How to Get Rid of Aphids
Are your garden plants stunted, shriveled, yellowing, or curling at the leaves, despite your best efforts to keep the...
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How To: Prepare for a Hurricane
Summer is upon us, and with it come visions of long lazy days relaxing in the sunshine. This summer weather, however,...
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Power Sheds: How to Design and Build a Shed for Workshop Projects
Every weekend warrior dreams of a convenient backyard structure that's spacious enough not only for storing tools but...
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How To: Kill Ivy
Characterized by its showy, star-shaped foliage, English ivy (Hedera helix) might seem a fine choice for landscaping ...
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How To: Clean a Fan
Oscillating fans are a smart choice for cool comfort thanks to a side-to-side rotating mechanism that evenly distribu...
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Water Stains on the Ceiling? Here's How to Fix Them
Q: I recently noticed some water stains on the ceiling of my living room. I’m not sure where they came from, but the ...
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The Complete Guide to Decoding Laundry Symbols
Take a look at your clothing tags before your next load of laundry. If you're lucky, they'll include a set of fine-pr...
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How to Level a Yard in 7 Simple Steps
A yard with lumps and bumps is not only unattractive but also a potential safety hazard with ample opportunity to cau...
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Solved! This Is the Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors
Q: I have never given much thought to cleaning my cherry wood floor, but I'm starting to notice how dingy it has beco...
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How to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter in 4 Easy Steps
Though often overlooked, air conditioner filters are responsible for a mighty important job: keeping dust, dirt, and ...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Lawn Mower Starts Smoking
Q: Recently, my mower started billowing smoke when I powered it up, so I shut it off immediately. Why is my lawn mowe...
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Solved! What to Do About Brown Grass
Q: I started seeing brown patches on my lawn at the end of spring. They seem to have grown in size and number since t...
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How To: Remove Sweat Stains
Yellowing on your favorite dress shirt or old tee typically suggests that it's time to add it to your rag collection....
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Need a New AC? 5 Top Factors for Sizing Up Your Needs
Do you find yourself raising your eyebrows at higher-than-normal energy bills? If your old air-conditioning system se...
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How To: Get Rid of Snakes
They may be perceived as sneaky, slimy, and scary, but most snakes are not dangerous to humans. And, to their credit,...
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Solved! What to Do if Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling Your Space
Q: I’ve just turned on the air conditioner for the summer, but I just can't get get comfortable. The appliance circul...
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Solved! The Best Decking Material
Q: I’m putting a new deck on my house and I want to make sure it is constructed properly. What is the best decking ma...
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Porcelain or Ceramic: Which Tile Type Is Right for You?
When considering a tile refresh for any floor, wall, or countertop, keep porcelain and ceramic tiles top of mind for ...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Building a Shed
A backyard shed frees up your home and garage by storing cumbersome essentials like your riding mower, hedge trimmers...
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How To: Use a Table Saw
Anyone serious about woodworking or DIY eventually wants to add a table saw to their power tool arsenal. Named for th...
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5 Simple Fixes for Worn Concrete
Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials around, but faulty installation, everyday wear and tear, e...
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How to Move a Refrigerator Safely
When you’re starting out in a new home or renovating the kitchen in your current one, the time may come when you must...
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How to Get Rid of Ticks In Your Yard
Ticks are a fact of outdoor life throughout the United States. These blood-feeding arachnids (joint-legged invertebra...
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How to Mud Drywall
"Mudding," the process of applying multiple thin coats of drywall compound to the joints and screw indentations in ne...
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How To: Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner
While more and more households are going chemical-free, no one wants to sacrifice cleanliness, especially in the kitc...
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6 Surefire Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
With iridescent wings that catch the light as they flit between flowers, hummingbirds have earned their nickname of “...
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How to Clean Brick, Indoors and Out
The naturally distressed patina of brick adds to its desirability indoors and out, but too much dirt accumulation can...
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13 Hacks Every Car Owner Should Know
Your car is an extension of your home, but how often do you treat it with the same TLC you give your house? Keep your wheels in good condition with these simple-b...
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How To: Wash a Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag is your bed away from bed during warm weather, whether during full-on camping or nights of backyard...
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Renew a Wood Fence in Just 3 Steps
Do you have a flaking eyesore of a fence that plagues the perimeter of your property? While there are no shortcuts to...
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The Right Way to Seal Concrete
This article has been brought to you by Quikrete. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Concrete is one o...
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How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent
Deer are delightful romping through the forest but can wreak havoc in a garden, decimating vegetables, fruit trees, l...
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How To: Cut Sheet Metal
Whether you're repairing HVAC ducts, replacing roof flashing, or tackling the occasional metal craft project, you'll ...
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Solved! What to Do About a Smelly Dishwasher
Q: I’ve noticed an unpleasant odor coming from my dishwasher, and my usual dishwashing detergent clearly isn’t strong...
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All You Need to Know About Doorway Casing
The trim around a door frame—also known as doorway casing—is installed first and foremost to conceal unsightly constr...
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How To: Stain a Fence
Whether your wooden fence is years old or newly installed, it can benefit from a single inexpensive addition: stain. ...
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How To: Get Rid of Rabbits
While children love big-eared Bugs Bunny chomping on a carrot, gardeners can identify closely with his cartoon nemesi...
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How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way
If you have a sprawling lawn it might feel like the more you mow, the more it grows. But keeping your lawn neatly man...
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How to Pressure Wash a House
There may not be a magic wand to instantly banish years of mildew, soot, dirt, and grime from your home’s exterior, b...
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When to Plant Grass Seed to Get the Lushest, Greenest Lawn
Sowing grass seed, whether for scattered patches of lawn or an entire yard, is not difficult, but it takes a little r...
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DIY Lite: Make This Clever Catchall with Nothing But Rope
Available in all shapes and sizes, baskets are often the simplest way to store anything from your soap collection to ...
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How To: Paint Aluminum
A lightweight and durable material, aluminum has long been used for construction projects and home furnishings. Thoug...
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Solved! This Is the Best Time to Water Grass
Q: I notice neighbors’ sprinklers running at all hours of the day. What’s the best time to water grass, and how much ...
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How To: Cut Mirror
Mirrors enhance any interior as both decorative and highly functional features, bouncing light and offering an opport...
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How to Replace a Toilet Flange
If you’ve got a pool of water around the base of your toilet, you may need to do a toilet flange replacement of a loo...
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Solved! What Is the Best Way to Remove Wallpaper?
Q. We’ve just moved into our new home, and the previous owners left behind some bathroom wallpaper that has got to go...
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How To: Sharpen a Pocket Knife
The handiest people advocate keeping a pocket knife within reach (if not actually in a pocket) at all times. Its fold...
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The Right Way to Fill Nail Holes
If you’re reluctant to rearrange the pictures on your walls because you dread dealing with the nail holes left behind...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Toilet Starts Overflowing
Q: Help! Just as I was leaving the bathroom, I heard the unmistakable, undesirable sound of water hitting the floor. ...
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How To: Transplant a Tree
Whether they’re deciduous or evergreen, shade or ornamental, trees add value and curb appeal to any property. But occ...
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7 Ways to Tackle Spring Cleaning with Vinegar
For homeowners who appreciate all-natural ingredients and saving money on household necessities, baking soda and vine...
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How to Seal Granite Countertops
If you have a gorgeous granite countertop in your kitchen and want to keep it in “model home” shape, you may need to ...
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7 Types of Saws Every DIYer Should Get to Know
Whether you want to build a rustic bench, install trim molding, or plumb a new sink, odds are that you’ll need to cut...
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How to Install Blinds on Windows
To filter the light that enters your home and control your level of privacy, blinds are often a budget-friendly and s...
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How To: Dye Carpet
Carpet is a costly investment that should last at least 10 years, but discoloration—thanks to spills, pet mishaps, an...
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How To: Cut Concrete
Whether you want to create a countertop or expand your sidewalk, cutting concrete yourself may not be as daunting as ...
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All You Need to Know About Insecticidal Soap
Are aphids gnawing on the heirloom roses? Are spider mites munching on the tomato plants? If garden pests are bugging...
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How to Dispose of Old Gasoline the Right Way
Gasoline powers our vehicles, lawn mowers, and boats, our work and our play. But when gasoline sits too long, whether...
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How To: Choose the Right Scraper for the Job
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Removing old wa...
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How to Install a Doorbell
Ever since we’ve had doors, we’ve been reinventing ways to be alerted to a visitor’s arrival. Hefty iron knockers gav...
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Driveway Cleaning: How to Remove Just About Any Kind of Stain
Nothing is quite as aggravating as discovering that the delivery guy's van leaked oil on your driveway or that the dr...
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DIY Lite: This Curtain Rod Only Costs $12 to Make
While often initially installed for privacy, window treatments do a lot to improve a space's interior design. Curtain...
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How To: Glaze Kitchen Cabinets
An outdated kitchen puts a damper on daily meal prep and entertaining, but a full-on kitchen renovation is rarely in ...
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The Best Ways to Soundproof a Room Without Tearing Down Your Walls 
Figuring out how to soundproof a room doesn’t have to be difficult. As working from home is becoming more popular, ho...
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How To: Use a Jigsaw
Whether doing fine woodworking or tackling a kitchen or bathroom remodel, chances are you’ll need to create some curv...
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All You Need to Know About Begonia Care
Prized for their prolific blooms in a rainbow of colors—from creamy white and soft pink to shades of deep rose and cr...
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So, You Want to... Reface Your Fireplace
You can repaint the walls, re-carpet the floor, and replace all outdated furniture, but leaving that eyesore of an ol...
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How To: Mix and Use Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner
Wood floors add beauty and warmth to any home, but they do demand special care. Though there are plenty of commercial...
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Thinking About Painting Your Tile Floors? Here’s What You Need to Know
Decorative tile floors can add an element of elegance to a humdrum living space, but often at great expense. To avoid...
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How To: Clean Upholstery
Just like the fabric in clothing, upholstery gets assaulted daily by skin oils, hair, dust, food crumbs, and spills. ...
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5 Types of Screws Every DIYer Should Know
Though they may not be much to look at, screws hold a place of honor in the construction, hobby, and furniture-making...
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How To: Snake a Toilet
Let’s face it: Dealing with a clogged toilet is about as much fun—but, unfortunately, just as necessary—as a root can...
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Solved! Yes, You Can Tile Over Tile
Q: I want to re-tile my floor, but I'd rather not go through the hassle of ripping up the existing flooring first. Ca...
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How To: Create a Faux Wood Grain... with Paint!
The ageless patina of wood grain makes it a popular material for home furnishings. Unfortunately, solid wood pieces—s...
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11 Awful Real Estate Photos—And How to Make Yours Great
An Internet real estate listing can be crucial in attracting buyers, and the photos that accompany that listing are incredibly important. They are the first impre...
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How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Home
Knowing how to get rid of a black mold is a skill set every DIYer and homeowner should have in their know-how arsenal...
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How To: Clean Burnt Pans
Whether you’re caramelizing onions, simmering a sugary fruit jam, or baking homemade biscuits, your culinary masterpi...
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How to Pour Concrete the Right Way
Learning to pour concrete may save money and build your skills, but without proper equipment and attention to detail,...
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Get a Grip: Choosing the Right Wrench for the Job
If you’ve ever tried to remove a stuck nut with a pair of pliers in a pinch, you know how easy it is to scrape and da...
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How to Mix Grout
Grout—the filler between tiles—tends to be an afterthought. But homeowners have reason to prioritize this DIY job: Wh...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Clothes Washer Won't Spin
Q: I went to transfer a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, and the clothes were sopping wet! Why won't my ...
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How To Catch a Mouse
No horror movie can match the terror of a mouse skitter across the living room floor at night—because where there’s o...
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How To: Fix a Squeaky Floor
No matter how quietly you traipse through your home late at night, a squeaky floor will always trip you up and announ...
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How To: Put Out a Grease Fire
Not to scare you into ordering takeout more often, but more home fires are caused by cooking mishaps than anything el...
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All You Need to Know About Paint Types
A hardware store’s paint department presents an overwhelming number of options to any homeowner looking for a color r...
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How To: Cut Glass Tile
Glass tile is enjoying its day in the sun as more and more homeowners choose to incorporate it in their home renovati...
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How to Rekey a Lock
Key rings can get crowded (and heavy!) fast, when you consider all that you load up on them: keys for your car, front...
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This Cheap, Homemade De-icer Recipe Will Clear Your Frosty Windshield in Minutes
Raise your hand: Have you pulled out of your driveway lately with a frost-covered windshield, hoping that the defrost...
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How to Install a Shower Pan
In cramped bathing quarters that rely on a walk-in shower instead of a full-size bathtub, the shower pan can be an un...
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How to Descale a Keurig Coffee Maker
Whether your daily drink of choice is a frothy latte, creamy hot cocoa, or an old-fashioned cup of Joe, the Keurig ca...
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How To: Paint MDF
Medium-Density Fiberboard, known simply as MDF, is common for both furniture and home construction these days. The in...
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Solved! What to Do About a Leaking Shower Head
Q: Lately, when I take a shower, more water drips and runs out from behind the shower head faceplate than comes out t...
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How to Use a Chainsaw
The chainsaw—a portable power tool that cuts wood via a fast-moving chain that rotates around a guide bar—can make sh...
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How To: Get Mold Out of Carpet
Untreated dampness on carpet—whether caused by a persistent leak, overzealously watered plants, or a not-quite-houset...
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How To: Drill Into Concrete
While concrete's cool, industrial aesthetic is a go-to design touch in modern homes, its density and strength are wha...
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How To: Test for Asbestos
For a century, the naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral asbestos was a mainstay of the building industry, use...
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How To: Wash a Comforter
Nothing beats crawling under a cozy comforter after a long day, but did you know the bulky piece of bedding likely ha...
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How To: Sweat Copper Pipe
For DIYers eager to take on plumbing tasks, one of the most important skills to master is how to sweat copper pipe—a ...
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How To: Clean Aluminum
The world’s most abundant metal, aluminum, contributes to many products homeowners use every day: pots, pans, utensil...
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How To: Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent
Enter any supermarket and it’s obvious that detergent is big business. Yet while the choices seem endless, today’s co...
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How To: Use Chalk Paint
Putting a new face on tired-looking home accents can be as simple as brushing on a few coats of paint. But if you wan...
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3 Ways to Waterproof Wood
Some of the most gorgeous, long-lasting pieces of furniture, cabinetry, and trim work are crafted from wood, the worl...
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How To: Paint Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is strong, durable, and easy-care, but aesthetically its high-tech, industrial vibe can leave you col...
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Solved! This Is What to Do When Your Garbage Disposal Stops Working
Q. After dinner, I rinsed off the dishes in the sink like I always do, and flipped the switch for the garbage disposa...
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How To: Build a Faux Fireplace
Even if it’s not operational, a fireplace somehow still makes a space feel cozy—and ups its “architectural charm” fac...
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How To: Paint PVC Pipe
Tough and durable yet easy to cut, polyvinyl chloride piping (PVC)—originally developed for plumbing—is ideal for use...
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How To: Sharpen Drill Bits
Do-it-yourselfers live by the rule of “the right tool for the job,” but just as important is maintaining those tools ...
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How To: Build a Kitchen Island
Sometimes, the kitchen is too small to prep a multi-course meal for friends or family. If only you had 12 square inch...
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How To: Remove Drywall Anchors
Drywall anchors certainly come in handy when you want to safely hang something heavy on a hollow wall or a spot witho...
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Solved! What to Do When There’s No Hot Water
Q: Even though my shower was perfectly toasty when I hopped in, it quickly chilled until there was no hot water left ...
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How To: Clean Marble Countertops
Natural stone, with its rich colorations and wonderful feel, is Mother Nature’s gift to our homes. But this beautiful...
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How To: Remove Paint from Tile
It’s entirely possible to remove paint from tile, whether you’re simply hoping to banish some accidental splatters or...
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How To: Use a Stud Finder
When hanging heavy mirrors, bracing large furniture, wall-mounting a new television, or erecting shelving, you need t...
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How To: Whitewash Brick
Seems like just yesterday that the red brick in your family room looked perfect, but tastes change with time. Now you...
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How To: Clean Window Tracks
Dirty window tracks can spoil even the sunniest views. Whether you leave your windows open or closed, the tracks inev...
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How to Clean a Fireplace
Curling up in front of a fire is a thoroughly delightful aspect of fall and winter. But a fire can be a messy busines...
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How to Remove Scratches From Stainless Steel
From sinks and appliances to counters and cabinet hardware, stainless steel remains popular in home kitchens, favored...
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How To: Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
Your hardworking cutting board constantly plays host to meats, veggies, and herbs. Over time, however, such unsavory ...
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How to Insulate Windows
Though in wintertime a window seat affords postcard-perfect views of snow-covered tree branches, it's not necessarily...
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How To: Get Rid of Spider Mites
Tiny, sap-sucking arachnids known as spider mites can be a problem any time of year, not only in your garden but plag...
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How to Clean Bamboo Floors
Thanks to a harvest time of as little as 5 years, bamboo is an environmentally sustainable, increasingly popular floo...
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DIY Lite: Build a Clock that Displays the Time—and Your Plants
Clocks may be less a necessity than they were in the days before cell phones remained attached to consumers' hips and...
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How To: Paint a Popcorn Ceiling
The popcorn effect—so called for its resemblance to America’s favorite fluffy snack—is the result of loose particulat...
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How To: Make Homemade Glass Cleaner
We’ve all seen the bottles of glass cleaner vying for our dollars on supermarket shelves. But there’s an economical a...
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How To: Apply the Dry Brush Technique
Are you looking for an easy way to add years and visual interest to your basic wooden furniture? Grabbing a paintbrus...
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How to Winterize a Sprinkler System
Sprinklers keep your lawn looking great most of the year, but when autumn rolls along, take some time to empty and in...
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How To: Use a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are like insurance: You have it in hopes of never needing it (and there’d better be at least one i...
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How to Shampoo Carpets
Our carpets suffer the collateral damage of our busy, active lives. The daily foot traffic and those inevitable spill...
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How To: Use a Screw Extractor
At some point in the never-ending list of do-it-yourself projects, nearly every handy homeowner encounters a stripped...
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How To: Make Your Own Oven Cleaner
It’s common to ignore oven spills and splatters until you can’t avoid seeing—or smelling—them on the walls, racks, an...
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So, You Want to... Build a Ramp
Most homes have one or more exterior steps, but mobility-challenged individuals may find it difficult or impossible t...
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How To: Clean a Shag Rug
Shag rugs are enjoying a resurgence, thanks to their groovy textured looks and comfy feel underfoot. The potential bu...
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How to Unclog a Bathtub
Nothing interferes with a refreshing shower like a slow-draining bathtub. And that inch or two of water that sneaks u...
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How To: Spray Paint Metal
Metal furniture and ornaments are popular because they’re durable, but the longer a piece lasts, the older its look c...
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How to Descale a Kettle
If you’re one of those people whose morning routine is just not complete without a comforting cup of tea (and maybe a...
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How To: Remove Rust from Cast Iron
Cast iron is so strong and durable, it can serve for a lifetime and beyond. Yet rugged as the material is, it only ta...
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3 Fixes for Dried Glue
Glue is an essential product for home repair mavens, DIY enthusiasts, and recreational crafters alike. But when the s...
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How to Splice Wires for Home Electrical Projects
If your around-the-house to-do list includes an ambitious DIY electrical project, be it installing a light fixture, r...
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How To: Crackle Paint
A coat of latex paint will add color to plain wood furniture—but not much else. To really beat the blahs, consider tr...
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How to Make a DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Everyone loves a clean home, but our obsession with sanitation may come at a cost to our health. Some people, especia...
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How To: Cut Copper Pipe
Beyond its well-earned prominence in the plumbing department, copper piping is having its moment in the DIY world as ...
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The Best Wireless Doorbells of 2023
Among the many advantages of high-tech home accessories is their ability to let us untangle ourselves from old-fashio...
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5 Ways to Weather Wood
Many homeowners strive for the lived-in look—the shabby chic, vintage-eclectic vibe touted by interior designers and ...
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How To: Age Metal
Today, many homeowners strive to achieve a lived-in vibe with their interior design choices. Who wants furniture that...
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How To: Use a Speed Square
Planning a carpentry project? Quick, grab a speed square! Also known as a rafter square or triangle square, this simp...
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How to Find Property Lines
Good fences may make good neighbors, but accidentally erecting one on or across a neighbor’s property line can lead t...
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DIY Lite: Build a Backyard Hammock Stand from Scratch
Wish that you had a relaxing moment in a camping hammock in your own backyard, but have nowhere to hang it? Rather th...
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How To: Remove Paint from Clothes
It’s bound to happen. You’re just going to do a bit of touch-up or you accidentally brush up against a still-wet proj...
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How to Remove Tree Sap From Anything and Everything
The beauty, shade, and privacy offered by trees make them a popular environmental feature for any property. But many ...
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So, You Want to... Build a Floating Deck
Summer isn’t summer unless you’re soaking up the sun, grilling, and chilling in your own backyard. Yet a traditional ...
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How To: Cut Brick
Many home improvement enthusiasts choose to enhance their landscapes with the DIY installation of brick patios, walkw...
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How to Clean Air Conditioner Coils
During the hottest days of the year, it’s likely that you rely heavily on an air conditioning unit—be it targeting yo...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Spray Painting
When you need a quick, cool upgrade that doesn’t cost a bundle, spray paint is hard to beat. A host of exciting new h...
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So, You Want to... Install a Screen Door
Breezes in, bugs out—functionally speaking, the screen door hasn’t changed much in the past hundred years or so. Diff...
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How To: Clean Quartz Countertops
Quartz. Quartzite. The names sound alike. But although both of these popular countertop materials are derived from th...
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How to Remove Rust from Stainless Steel Appliances, Sinks, and Cookware
At its best, a kitchen furnished with shiny stainless steel appliances and surfaces is the picture of a pristine, pro...
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How To: Edge a Lawn
Beautifully mowing a lawn without edging the perimeter and beds is like getting an amazing haircut but leaving an ove...
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How to Get Rid of Ladybugs
A healthy outdoor ladybug population is a good thing. Gardeners appreciate their voracious appetite for the destructi...
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How To: Make Your Own Fabric Softener
By adding a cap of liquid fabric softener to certain loads of laundry, you condition the clothing fibers and textiles...
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How To: Kill Tree Roots
Trees add great beauty to your landscape and their shade can help keep cooling costs low. But when a tree outgrows it...
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Solved! What to Do When the Toilet Won’t Flush
Q: Help! My toilet won’t flush. The handle moves freely, but nothing happens when I press down. Can I fix it without ...
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How To: Clean Ceramic Tile
It’s hard to beat ceramic tile for beauty, versatility, and durability. Perfect for bathroom, kitchen, even entryway ...
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How To: Remove Rivets
Plenty of DIYers find themselves eager to start a project only to come to a full stop when confronting rivets. The fa...
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How To: Repair Concrete Steps
For construction professionals and homeowners alike, concrete offers many appealing qualities, but there may be none ...
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How To: Remove a Bathtub
Maybe you dream of upgrading to a modern jetted model, or simply want to switch to a stall shower to gain square foot...
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How To: Make Your Own Ant Trap
If you see an ant or two, chances are you’ll see more—many more—especially if there's something tasty lying around ne...
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How to Make Weed Killer: 6 Methods That are Both Natural and Effective
You work hard on your garden, so the last thing you want is gnarly weeds littering your lawn or popping up smack dab ...
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3 Fixes for a Gasoline Odor
Whether you’re planning a road trip or gearing up for an outdoor DIY project, the task ahead starts with checking and...
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21 Brilliant Money-Saving Hacks for Your Next Move
Whether you move during peak season or in the depths of winter, you'll probably have to deal with stress and a dwindling supply of energy and funds. When it's tim...
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How To: Magnetize a Screwdriver
Few things are as frustrating as trying to drive a screw into a tight corner or over your head, only to have it fall ...
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3 Steps to Prepare a Room for Hardwood Flooring
Careful preparation is key to the successful installation of hardwood flooring. If you fail to get the subfloor clean...
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How to Remove Blood From Carpet
Blood happens. Not often, hopefully, but when a kid skins a knee and lays wailing on the living room rug, or the dog ...
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How To: Remove Paint from Plastic
Nothing spoils the satisfaction of a paint job like drips and splatters on plastic surfaces, such as light switch cov...
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How to Stretch Carpet
Carpet feels great underfoot as long as it is properly cleaned, cared for, and maintained while it is in the home. It...
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How to Drill a Hole in Glass
You're a crafty DIYer who'd love to create a lamp from an empty wine bottle or hook that mirror through a hole, but t...
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How To: Spackle a Wall
Maybe there was a mishap while moving a major appliance. Or perhaps someone hung some pictures the old-fashioned way ...
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How To: Get Rid of Caterpillars
A love of gardening often goes hand in hand with a hatred toward the pests that pervade the fruits of your labor, bot...
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Solved! What to Do About Spalling Concrete
Q: Parts of my concrete driveway are flaky, cracked, and pitted. How do I halt the deterioration and return the surfa...
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How To: Cut Glass
If the very thought of cutting glass makes you cringe, perhaps it’s because you remember a painful occasion when glas...
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How To: Remove Baseboard
Whether you're planning on replacing a floor or simply wanting to change up the style of trim in a room, your project...
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How To: Remove and Replace a Doorknob
We think of a doorknob as ubiquitous and mundane, yet a closer inspection can sometimes prove puzzling, leaving you t...
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DIY Lite: Double Bathroom Storage with Easy-Build Box Shelves
The bathroom can be a nightmare to organize, with all of its towels, soap bottles, grooming supplies, and other toile...
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How To: Propagate Succulents
Want to juice up your space, indoors and out, without spending a bundle? Think succulents! From the rosettes of Echev...
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How to Get Rid of a Skunk
Nocturnal and relatively shy, skunks aren’t often seen—but they certainly are smelled! Though the black-and-white cre...
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How To: Remove Paint from Trim and Molding
Walls framed by baseboards and crown molding exude unmistakable character and polish, most notably in historical home...
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How To: Get Rid of Crows
The bald eagle may be our national symbol, but virtually every American has encountered the crow. These highly intell...
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How To: Stake a Tree
Many new trees do just fine on their own. In fact, the movement they experience from normal wind and weather helps th...
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How To: Plane a Door
It’s easy to take doors for granted. Until they start sticking or binding, that is—or you install a new floor and sud...
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How To: Get Rid of Grubs
They don’t care who you are or where you live. You won’t see them coming, and by the time they make their presence kn...
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How To: Paint Laminate Countertops
Let’s face it: Laminate isn’t the most high-end countertop material out there, and when it starts showing signs of we...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Freezer Isn’t Freezing
Q: I’ve noticed that my freezer isn’t working as well as it used to. Is there any possibility of a quick fix instead ...
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How To: Refinish Rusty Old Patio Furniture
Although metal patio furniture is elegant and durable, it can over time become a rust-coated symbol of neglect. Inste...
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How to Clean a Gas Grill
Cleaning a gas grill ensures that one of the most loved rituals of summer—friends and family gathering together in th...
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How To: Strip Wire
Whether you’re rewiring an old lamp, installing a new doorbell, or adding another outlet to a wall, the first step to...
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How To: Make Mulch from Scratch
Treating your trees, garden, and landscaping beds to mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and arm plants...
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How To: Clean Exterior Siding
Day after day, year after year, exterior siding protects your home from the elements. It's the first line of defense ...
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How To: Polish Stainless Steel
Thanks to its ability to resist corrosion, withstand heat, and handle all sorts of chemicals, stainless steel is a co...
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How to Get Rid of Voles Humanely in 7 Steps
If you’ve never actually seen a vole, that’s not surprising. The 7-inch-long rodent also known as a meadow mouse is r...
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How To: Remove Wallpaper
No homeowner wants to be confronted with ripped-up wall coverings as a day-in, day-out reminder of a job not yet fini...
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How to Cut Ceramic Tile
A small- to medium-size ceramic tiling job is a project that's well within the grasp of most DIYers. With careful mea...
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How To: Texture a Ceiling
It all too easy to slap a coat of white paint on your ceiling and consider it done. But to really pull a room togethe...
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Solved! What to Do About a Leaking Toilet Tank
Q: Help! My toilet is leaking all over the bathroom floor, and I haven’t yet located the source. How can I find and f...
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How To: Cut In Paint
Any professional painter knows that a successful paint job is only as good as the preparation that comes before it. T...
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3 Fixes for a Garage Door That Won't Close
Garage doors sometimes seem to have a mind of their own, often deciding when—and how far—they want to open or close. ...
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How To: Remove Vinyl Siding
Buckles, splinters, and cracks, oh my! These are all clear-cut signs that your vinyl siding needs to be replaced. Des...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Deck Maintenance
A deck is a plein-air addition to your home. Like the space inside your residence, it needs regular cleaning and main...
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How To: Get Rid of Mothball Smell
The pungent odor of mothballs is the very smell of storage. Made from either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, thes...
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How To: Paint a Metal Door
Steel doors are wonderful at keeping the wind and weather out of our homes, and they're remarkably durable—they can l...
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How to Remove a Tub Drain
We don’t give tub drains much thought until they give us trouble. Over time, tub drains clog and sometimes even corro...
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How to Get Rid of Fire Ants: 5 Tried-and-True Methods
Millions of people and animals are swarmed and stung every year by fire ants. Their burning (hence the name) bites ar...
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How To: Clean an Electric Stove Top
Like most home cooks, you probably love whipping up meals but hate cleaning up afterwards. If you neglect tidying up ...
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How to Clean a Jacuzzi
No matter how beneficial massaging hydrotherapy is for your health, a jetted tub can be only as restorative and relax...
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How to Get Rid of Water Bugs Once and for All
When most people refer to a “water bug,” they're actually employing a delicate colloquialism for an insect whose mere...
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Solved! What to Do When Your Pilot Light Goes Out
Q: I jumped in my shower this morning and, holy cow, was it cold! After a quick inspection, I discovered my water hea...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Cast Iron
Use well-seasoned cast-iron cookware once, and chances are that you’re hooked for life. More than simply a nontoxic, ...
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How to Kill Grass—and Why You Might Want To
Grass can be great—when it’s like lush, lovely carpeting beneath your feet. But it may be time to bid farewell to tra...
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How To: Test for Lead Paint
There’s nothing quite like the joy of living in a home with character, craftsmanship, and history within its walls. Y...
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How To: DIY a Space-Saving Sliding Door
When you have a doorway but not enough room for a door to swing open, oftentimes the frame goes without any sort of c...
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How to Clean a Dryer Vent in 5 Simple Steps
If you’ve recently noticed that your clothes dryer is taking longer to dry clothes than it used to, it's time to clea...
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Solved! This Is When to Fertilize the Lawn
Q: Help! Last year, our lawn was brown and not as healthy-looking as it could have been. When should I fertilize the ...
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How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles and Carpet Beetle Larvae
Carpet beetles enter your home in myriad ways: hitching rides on cut flowers, clothing, or pets, or simply flying in ...
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15 Types of Glue and Adhesives Every Homeowner Should Know
There is a wide assortment of glues, cements, and epoxies at your local hardware store that are designed to work with...
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How to Remove Scratches From Glass: DIY Hacks That Work
A tiny scratch can mar a beautiful glass tabletop or, if it’s in a glass panel on your front door, set the wrong tone...
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How to Get Rid of Gophers
Even if you’re not an avid cultivator of prized begonias or caretaker of an expensive golf course like Bill Murray’s ...
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How To: Paint a Garage Door
As long as it goes up and down on command, it’s easy to ignore your garage door. Yet this aspect of your home’s exter...
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How To: Clean Plexiglass
Commonly used to construct everyday items from shower enclosures to tabletops, plexiglass (also known as acrylic) off...
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3 Fixes for Dust Mites
Though far from pleasant to think about, there’s a good chance your home is ridden with dust mites—microscopic organi...
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How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
At the start of growing season, part of the necessary prep every homeowner with hopes of a greener yard tacks (or sho...
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How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal
When faced with the conundrum of how to unclog a garbage disposal, most people would say that the easiest solution is...
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How To: Get Rid of Bagworms
Notice an inexplicable mass destruction, yellowing, or defoliation in your evergreens? A close and careful look throu...
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How To: Use a Multimeter
Once reserved for engineers and electronic technicians, multimeters—sometimes called “multitesters”—have come down in...
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How to Remove Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is a classic and resilient material, often found in high-traffic spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallwa...
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Laminate vs. Hardwood: Which Is the Right Flooring for Your Home?
Whatever your home’s style may be, flooring is quite literally its foundation, and often the first design element vis...
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How To: Clean a Wool Rug
Wool rugs in a home appeal to several senses: Their vibrant colors and patterns improve the look of any space, while ...
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How to Cut Plexiglass
Plexiglass, the clear acrylic material that revolutionized modern architecture and design, was developed in the 1930s...
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How To: Sharpen an Axe
Few outdoor chores are as inherently hazardous as cutting down trees or chopping up wood, especially when your axe is...
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How To: Clean Linoleum Floors
Linoleum has been a practical flooring option for more than 100 years. While it fell out of fashion in the late 1940s...
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How to Caulk a Shower or Tub
There’s nothing quite like a steamy shower to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit after a good night’s sleep or a ...
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DIY Lite: How to Build a Shadow Box Display
Most of us already have the makings of a collection sitting out on a shelf or dresser, right under our noses. Transfo...
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How to Remove Candle Wax From Just About Any Surface
No matter their placement—on the mantel, beside the bathtub, or on the dining table—lit candles instantly create an a...
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How To: Make Your Own Grout Cleaner
No matter how hard you work to keep your kitchen and bathroom clean, they'll always look dingy if they're plagued by ...
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How To: Sand Drywall
Drywall—commonly known as sheet rock—is one of the most popular construction materials used in finishing interior wal...
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How To: Make Your Own Carpet Cleaner
The more you entertain, the more likely it is that you'll have to deal with stains. A spilled glass of wine, a smudge...
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How To: Install a Toilet Seat
Sure, there are plenty of intimidatingly complex bathroom repairs for which you would be wise to hire a plumber. This...
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How to Remove Soap Scum From Tubs and Showers
If you are your household's designated bathroom cleaner (or if you pay attention to your surroundings when you're in ...
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Solved! What to Do About a Smelly Washing Machine
Q: Lately, every time I open my washing machine door, I detect a foul-smelling odor. My washing machine smells like r...
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How To: Stain Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring offers rich, warm, timeless beauty, and can even favorably affect the resale value of your home. Wi...
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All You Need to Know About Painting Appliances
Wishing for a way to refresh a kitchen or laundry room without sinking thousands of dollars into a renovation? If you...
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Is Varnish or Polyurethane the Right Finish for You?
A coat of durable wood finish on your hardwood floors, fine furniture, and outdoor decking can mean the difference be...
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How To: Paint Baseboards
Of all the many types of molding installed to put the finishing touch on a room, there's none more common than basebo...
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How to Seal Grout
Even if you keep your bathroom tiles clean, dirty grout lines can really detract from the look of your tiled floors a...
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How To: Replace a Light Switch
Thanks to the simplicity of their design and function, light switches seem to last pretty much forever despite daily ...
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How To: Clean an Iron
There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that your iron is soiling your favorite clothes while you're trying...
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Bob Vila Radio: Remove Old Paint with a Heat Gun
Looking for a quick way to remove old layers of paint? Your best bet might be a heat gun—and it's easy enough to use ...
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How To: Clean a Glass Cooktop
Many homeowners invest in glass cooktops because their modern, flat surface makes them both easy on the eye and easy ...
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The Smarter Way to Mop Your Floors
You've just grabbed the mop to clear up a spill or wipe away the day-to-day dirt, but will you actually make your flo...
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How To: Make Your Own Drain Cleaner
When your sink or shower drain gets clogged, it's pretty easy to figure out the cause. The perp is usually a disgusti...
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How to Clean the Glass on Your Oven Door
You know the story: After cooking a big meal, especially after doing so several times a week during the holiday seaso...
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How To: Bleed a Radiator
Now that the temperature is falling, you may have cranked up the heat in your house only to find that one (or more) o...
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How To: Split Firewood
Fireplace season has at long last arrived: Time to gather around the hearth, hunker down, and embrace the warmth of t...
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Is Milk or Chalk Paint the Right Finish for You?
It’s not how you start, but how you finish, as the adage goes. But when it comes to painting, the materials you choos...
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3 Fixes for Red Wine Stains
Inevitably, there’s at least one unwelcome guest at every holiday party: the red wine stain. Sure enough, just as eve...
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Bob Vila Radio: Replacing a Shower Diverter
You know that little knob on top of the bathtub spout? It's tiny but not insignificant, as it performs the vital role...
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How To: Remove Paint from Glass
You set out a drop cloth and meticulously lined the wall trim with painter’s tape, but you still ended up with a litt...
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How To: Strip Furniture
You’ll be surprised at the gems you uncover once you strip the paint and lacquer off your attic, yard sale, or thrift...
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How to Get Rid of Silverfish
Don't let the name fool you: Silverfish are nothing like the goldfish you nurtured as pets in your childhood bedroom....
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How To: Waterproof Fabric
Looking to reupholster your dining room chairs in a beautiful print without having to worry about future damage from ...
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How To: Install Carpeting on Stairs
Showcase the beauty of wood stairs without sacrificing the comfort of carpet with this clever compromise: a carpet ru...
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A Cheap and Easy Way to Slash Your Water Bill
This post has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. With a singl...
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How To: Remove a Wallpaper Border
We all have those "What was I thinking?" moments, and when it comes to decorating, those mistakes often take the form...
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How To Clean a Toaster in 10 Minutes
You may use your toaster almost daily, but when was the last time you cleaned out the burnt crumbs? There’s no need t...
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How To: Paint a Brick Fireplace
Sometimes, even despite attentive maintenance and care, brick masonry fireplaces amass a fair amount soot, mildew, an...
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How to Sharpen Hedge Trimmers
Power hedge trimmers are a great time saver over manual trimmers for maintaining neat hedges and other landscaping, b...
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How To: Frame a Mirror
Done any shopping for your home recently? In perusing the aisles, you may have noticed that even a very simple mirror...
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How To: Paint a Garage Floor
Part-time workshop, storage center for outdoor equipment, shelter for the family cars—the garage is a do-it-all space...
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How to Unclog a Shower Drain
Hopping into a hot and steamy shower only to notice that the water is pooling around your feet makes for a rough way ...
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How to Remove Super Glue From Skin, Fabric and Other Surfaces
Known for its impressive strength and ultraquick dry time, super glue plays a vital role in many household fixes. But...
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How To: Install Curtain Rods
An attractively mounted curtain rod adds a subtle layer of embellishment to an entire room.  Beyond completing a room...
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How To: Clean a Microfiber Suede Sofa
A microfiber suede sofa is a cozy centerpiece for any room. Known for being soft and stylish, this popular seating ch...
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How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink
Admit it: You invest a great deal of time and energy in keeping your stainless steel appliances fingerprint-free, shi...
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DIY Kids: Build a Backyard Tire Swing
There’s something so incredibly appealing about a simple tire swing. Whether it’s the freeing feeling of soaring thro...
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How To: Get Rid of Slugs
Even the smallest slugs play a big role in the ecosystem, feeding on decomposing matter and in turn providing protein...
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How to Get Rid of Dandelions in Your Yard
 Though young children might love their fluffy seed heads, most lawn-tending grown-ups dread the sight of dandelions....
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How To: Remove Paint from Carpeting
It’s the stuff of nightmares for any do-it-yourselfer who takes on a weekend painting project. Even though you carefu...
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How To: Remove Moss from the Roof
A green, moss-covered roof may make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale, complete with a quaint little woodcu...
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Bob Vila Radio: Removing the Knockouts in Electrical Boxes
Knockouts are partially stamped, quarter-size openings in the electrical boxes that service such things as outlets an...
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How To: Stain Cabinets
Of all the reasons to appreciate solid wood cabinets, there may be none more appealing than their virtually endless c...
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How to Remove Rust From Tools
Over time, as iron, steel, and other ferrous metals are exposed to oxygen and moisture they can undergo oxidation, a ...
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How To: Get Rid of Grass Stains
Grass stains are souvenirs of outdoor sports and other messy fun—as well as battle scars from labor-intensive rounds ...
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How To: Make a Tabletop with 2x4s
This DIY has a bit of a backstory: In my basement workshop—as a byproduct of about a half dozen previous projects—I'd...
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How to Make a DIY Wasp Trap from a Bottle and the Right Bait
Nothing can ruin a summer barbecue or evening by the pool like the threat of a wasp’s sting. Mind you, wasps aren’t a...
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How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are our saving grace during sticky summers—there’s nothing quite like the relief of walking into a r...
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2 Ways to Make Your Own Wallpaper
Wallpaper is having its moment again—and we're not talking about the stuffy prints you remember seeing in your grandm...
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How to Get Rid of Drain Flies
Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are a common nuisance in many homes. These pests live and breed inside your pl...
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How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. As pretty as wood...
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So, You Want to... Level a Concrete Floor
There's no disagreement here: Concrete ranks among the most durable, longest-lasting of all building materials. That ...
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How To: Build a Cinder Block Wall
Privacy, safety, security—these are only a few of the reasons that homeowners build solid, durable garden walls. Alth...
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How To: Clean Wood Siding
Think your wood siding needs a fresh coat of paint? Maybe. Or it could be that your wood clapboard, lap, or shingle s...
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How To: Cut Cement Board
Do-it-yourself types depend on cement backer board for numerous projects, including tiled walls, flooring, and even c...
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How To: Pour a Concrete Patio
Whether rectangular or curvy in design, next to the home or freestanding in the yard, a concrete patio establishes ne...
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How To: Install Chair Rail Molding
Sometimes the simplest updates make the most impact in a room—and chair rail molding is no exception. More than an ea...
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How To: Stain Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure treating protects wood from the elements, helps prevent insect attacks, and minimizes the effects of aging. ...
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Quick Tip: The Key to Preserving Paint Rollers
Painting a room can be quite the process: choosing your paint color, covering all of your furniture, prepping every s...
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Pro Tips: 5 Ways to Bring Songbirds to Your Backyard
Birds eat bugs, propagate seeds, and bring your garden to life with color, movement, and song. Yet, “the greatest joy...
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How To: Remove Paint from Metal
"Just paint it!" That's the motto for many DIYers when they're unhappy with the lamp, dresser, doors, hardware. . . y...
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How To: Resurface a Concrete Driveway
Durability ranks high among the many reasons to choose concrete as a driveway surfacing material. After years of expo...
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Pro Tips: The 7 Secrets of Craigslist Success
Whether you’re seeking unique decor that won’t break the bank or hoping to unload a few pieces for profit, look no fu...
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How To: Choose a Skylight
Picture the average lightbulb. Now picture sunlight streaming into a room in your home. There's no comparison, right?...
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DIY Lite: Make a Wood-Slat Doormat for Almost No Money
The entrance to your home is the first impression that strikes visitors, so why don't you make it a friendly one with...
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How To: Build a Paver Patio
Patio. The very word conjures up visions of lazy, relaxing afternoons spent with friends and family. For those whose ...
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How to Get Rid of Flies in the House
As warm weather sweeps in, so does an annual nuisance: houseflies. The small black pests that get in your face, buzz ...
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How To: Sharpen Scissors
Used for cutting paper, cardboard, fabric, string, price tags, plastic packaging—that list goes on—those scissors in ...
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3 Ways to Organize and Store Plastic Shopping Bags
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of plastic shopping bags you’re harboring underneath your kitche...
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How To: Make Concrete Garden Edging
Always affordable and at once both decorative and functional, concrete garden edging effectively defines garden beds,...
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How to Clean a Coffee Maker
Though we rely on our coffee makers to deliver that daily cup of joe that will help us get through the morning, most ...
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How to Clean Outdoor Cushions 
Because they remain outdoors for a good portion of the year, patio cushions weather plenty of dirt and debris. Bird d...
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DIY Bench From a Repurposed Door
One of the enjoyable things about reading Thistlewood Farms is the playful way that KariAnne puts things. But when sh...
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How To: Remove Permanent Marker
You may think that permanent marker is, well, permanent. But we'll let you in on a special secret: With a little elbo...
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How To: Paint Wicker Furniture
Wicker evokes summertime porch-sitting perhaps more than any other outdoor furniture. But besides all the fair-weathe...
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How To: Remove Caulk
Though caulk often lasts for years, it doesn't stick around forever. If yours has become discolored, has developed cr...
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Quick Tip: Removing Coffee Stains from Carpet
It's not what you feared. Spilling coffee on the carpet doesn't have to mean living with an eyesore until you replace...
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How To: Get Rid of Squirrels
Don't let the bushy tails fool you. They may be cute and and bright-eyed, but if left unchecked, squirrels can do an ...
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6 Ways to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
Science says flowers make us happy, and who can argue with that? Multiple research studies, including a seminal study...
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The Right Way to Clean a Shower Curtain, According to Pros From Molly Maid and DeluxeMaid
Given all the humidity, shampoo, and conditioner your shower curtain and liner are exposed to day in and day out, it ...
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Quick Tip: Renew Dull Wood Finishes with Mineral Spirits
As you go about your spring cleaning routine, take a few minutes to inspect the condition of your wood furniture and ...
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How To: Remove Paint from Brick
If you've ever tried to remove paint from brick, you know that it can be a painstaking process. Depending on the scop...
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How to Remove Hard Water Stains
Are there always white spots on your bathroom fixtures? Does a cloudy film coat the carafe of your coffeemaker? If so...
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Quick Tip: Clean Windows with Coffee Filters
Everyone dreads at least one household chore. Many people's least favorite is cleaning the windows. Too important to ...
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How To: Patch Carpet
Carpeting inevitably undergoes wear and tear, whether from foot traffic or the accidents of everyday life. If those f...
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How to Remove Tile From Floors, Backsplashes, and Other Surfaces
A lot of DIY demolition and renovation can be fun. It provides stress relief, excitement, and fast results. One of th...
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Quick Tip: Clean Carpet Stains with a Clothes Iron
You know and loathe the traditional way to clean a carpet. But however laborious it may be, there's no doubt that blo...
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DIY Wine Cork Planters
By her own admission, Linda from It All Started With Paint isn't what you'd call a green thumb. But tiny low-maintena...
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So, You Want to... Install Wainscoting
The term "wainscoting" refers to any type of paneling that covers the lower portion—usually the lower third—of an int...
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How to Remove Mold From Wood
Because wood naturally soaks up and retains water it’s an ideal environment for mold and mildew. If you have baseboar...
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How To: Clean a Refrigerator
As the only home appliance to host a rotating population of mess-making foods, it's no wonder the refrigerator ranks ...
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How To: Clean a Hot Tub
Owning your own hot tub is an affordable luxury. But while the bubbles may be relaxing, maintaining the unit takes wo...
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How To: Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
Fleas are irritating—not only for pets but also for people. If you have fleas in the house, you can usually expect so...
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How To: Measure for Window Blinds
As challenging as it may have been to settle on blinds, not curtains, you're not quite finished yet. On the contrary....
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How To Get Rid of Spiders
Most people know that spiders benefit our homes and gardens by eating insects such as mosquitoes, flies and ants that...
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Clean Your Floors with What's in the Pantry
Sweeping dirt under the rug: Tempting, sure, but it's no long-term solution. Different rooms in different houses requ...
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How To: Remove Wallpaper Glue
Removing wallpaper is, in a word, laborious. The process takes a great deal of energy and time. And lo and behold, ev...
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What Type of Door Is Best for Your Entryway?
You put a great deal of trust in your front door, counting on it to form a good first impression of your home for any...
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How To: Clean a Down Comforter
Just about every down comforter has a tag with care instructions that read, "Dry Clean Only. " But if you're on a bud...
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How To: Clean a Garbage Disposal
Consider the environment within the average in-sink garbage disposal: It's cool, dark, and moist, and there's a near ...
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Show Love to Your Leather Furniture with Homemade Conditioner
When the skin of our hands gets dry and starts to crack a bit, we quickly reach for moisturizing lotion. The same log...
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The 13 Painting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
Paint is the easiest way to transform a room, yet it’s surprisingly easy to muck up your project with a few silly mistakes. The next time you pick up a paintbrush...
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How to Clean an Oven
You’ve put off the task for months, hoping the little spills and splatters inside the oven would vanish on their own....
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5 Things to Do with... Matchboxes
Before antismoking campaigns and the advent of disposable lighters, matchboxes and matchbooks were very common. They ...
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The 9 Rules for Rugs That Everyone Should Know
There are many questions to grapple with before settling on any particular rug: How big should it be? Is it durable enough? What do I need to know to clean it? Fo...
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How To: Clean Stove Burners
We've all been there: It's the end of a long day, and rather than wipe up the splatters on the range, you decide the ...
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Which Expiration Dates REALLY Matter?
Everyone has at some point pulled something questionable from the fridge, sniffed it, then handed it to someone else asking, “Is this still good?” But sometimes, ...
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How To: Season Cast Iron
Cast iron, properly cared for, can last a lifetime at least in the kitchen. Apart from cleaning your pan or skillet a...
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How To: Paint Fabric
We're no strangers to the power of paint. It brightens dark rooms, adds interest to walls, and transforms furniture. ...
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How to Clean a Chimney
Some folks love the romance of a wood-burning fire. Others may prefer the all-night warmth of a wood stove. But almos...
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Genius! DIY Gramophone
Vintage lovers will probably love this throwback-looking iPhone speaker set. Designed to look like a gramophone but d...
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The Best Refrigerators
The refrigerator is the appliance king in a room filled with appliances, the kitchen. Once a plain white box with no-...
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How to Choose a Dehumidifier That’s Right for Your Home
Air quality can suffer in myriad ways. Excess humidity ranks among the least desirable effects. Left unchecked, moist...
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How to Clean a Toilet the Right Way (Yes, There's a Right Way)
A dreaded household chore, cleaning the toilet is the definition of dirty work. Mostly it's a matter of hygiene, but ...
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How To: Get Rid of Pantry Moths
Like their closet-lurking cousins, pantry moths are destructive pests. Act fast before they eat through (and lay eggs...
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How To: Paint Your Front Door
Front doors undergo wear and tear on a daily basis, not least from the elements—precipitation and wind and the glarin...
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How To: Get Rid of Every Carpet Stain
When holiday guests gather in your home to enjoy festive food and drink, there are bound to be a few accidental slops and splatters that could make your carpets a...
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How To: Clean a Mattress
Wash and dry your sheets and pillowcases once a week—that's all it takes to sleep in clean comfort, right? Wrong. You...
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How to Install a Dishwasher
Installing a dishwasher may seem daunting, but with the right instructions and a little care, it can be a rewarding D...
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3 Easy Ways You Can Add Privacy to Glass
More than a mere decorative finish, frosted glass also offers a practical benefit: Without blocking the passage of li...
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How to Paint Plastic
Whether your goal is to renew a faded plastic deck chair or change the color of a home decor item like a picture fram...
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Genius! DIY Apple Cider Press
Few things say autumn more than fresh apple cider. So what if you could make your own from your backyard. That's what...
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Make Your Own Shower Cleaner
There's no such thing as a truly refreshing bathing experience in a shower that looks—or even feels—dirty. To keep th...
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How To: Apply Polyurethane Sealer
More than a mere shine, polyurethane sealer protects and preserves the finish you've chosen for your furniture or flo...
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How to Wire an Outlet
Simply put, electrical work is dangerous. If you're contemplating a project that requires any complexity or sophistic...
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How to Paint Vinyl Siding and Make Your Home Look New Again
A sensible siding solution, vinyl remains a popular and budget-friendly choice for home exteriors. Many homeowners ha...
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Genius! DIY Radiator Cover
If your heat comes from radiators, you know the predicament: In the winter, you're glad to have the heat. But no matt...
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Your Post-Halloween Cleanup Guide
If you wound up with more tricks than treats this Halloween, you're likely to have your hands full with a mess: toilet paper in the trees, eggs dripping on your h...
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How To: Get Rid of Mildew Odor
Among household odors, mildew undoubtedly ranks among the worst. And unfortunately, it's all too common, lurking in t...
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How To: Prevent or Eliminate Closet Moths
Tineola bisselliella, the common clothes moth, wreaks havoc on wardrobes, destroying shirts and socks, pants and swea...
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How to Get Rid of Bats—and Keep Them Away for Good
Bats aren’t much different from any other creature. “They’re looking for three things: food, shelter, and water,” say...
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Noisy Radiator? Here's How to Shush It
There's a simple reason why builders relied on steam radiators for decades and decades—they work! But every technolog...
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How To: Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are opened and closed more often than the front door is. Such frequent use—along with leakage, spill...
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How to Clean a Dryer
Dryer cleaning probably isn’t at the top of your list of fun things to do, but it’s actually pretty simple and can ma...
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How to Paint Pressure-Treated Wood
Painting pressure-treated wood comes with some complications caused by the very treatment that allows the material to...
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How To: Clean and Maintain Butcher Block
Butcher block counters are a perennial favorite in the kitchen, though many homeowners worry about the care and maint...
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17 Clever Ways to Use Toothpaste Around the House
A multi-use cleaning product is always something to smile about! Here's why you should keep a few extra tubes of toothpaste in your kitchen, laundry room, and cle...
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How To: Make and Apply Your Own Homemade Furniture Polish
Wood furniture is no small investment. In covering the expense, we are comforted knowing that what we are buying can ...
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How To: Paint IKEA Furniture
Years ago, you purchased particleboard furniture at IKEA. Maybe it's begun to show its age, or maybe you simply no lo...
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How To: DIY Your Own Dish Soap in 5 Steps
Homemade dish soap. OK, sure. But why? For one thing, why not? But more seriously, homemade dish soap, which requires...
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How To: Weatherstrip a Door the Right Way
Door drafts can be a cause of real discomfort. Besides the immediate unpleasantness of a chilly gust invading the war...
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How To: Remove Poison Ivy from Your Yard
Homeowners know too well that not all greenery contributes to the beauty of a garden. Weeds, for instance, are a chie...
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How To: Clean Pillows
Whether tucked under our heads while sleeping or behind our backs while lounging in the living room, pillows are an o...
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Genius! DIY Faux Stained Glass
There's something about the nostalgic and timeless beauty of stained glass. . . but genuine stained glass comes with ...
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Today's Homeowners Rediscover the Benefits of a Root Cellar
Until fruits and vegetables were available year-round at the grocery store, the root cellar played a vital role in da...
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How to Remove Vinyl Flooring
Let's be clear: It's no fun to remove vinyl flooring. Peeling up the material itself is no picnic, but the real trial...
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How to Load a Dishwasher the Right Way
Of all kitchen appliances, the dishwasher almost certainly ranks as one of the greatest. This wonderful convenience o...
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Fill the Awkward Gap in Your Kitchen with a Pullout Organizer
In nearly every kitchen remodel that involves cabinets of standard dimensions, you're left with at least one gap betw...
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How to Clean Pewter
Pewter is used in everything from jewelry to kitchen utensils to the classic tankard. This metal remains popular with...
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How To: Paint Tile
You are itching to redesign your kitchen or bathroom, but the color of your existing tile limits your options. Certai...
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Genius! DIY Trash Can Shed
Who hasn't admired a great product in-store before balking at the price tag? When daring DIYer Anne Davis saw a $300 ...
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How To: Install Click Flooring
Over the last decade, engineered wood flooring has developed by leaps and bounds, making it more affordable than ever...
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The Best Dishwashers of 2023
Hand-washing through a pile of pots, mixing bowls, and place settings can take hours—and an estimated 230 hours every...
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10 Toolbox Hacks for Your Next DIY Project
There's a little MacGyver in all of us. And when it comes to DIY, who couldn't use another shortcut? Whether your toolbox is fully stocked or you're slowly acquir...
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How To: Clean a Stovetop
On those busy nights when you're lucky to have found just 20 minutes to put toward preparing a one-pot meal, cleanup ...
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How to Fix Cracks in Concrete
Small cracks in your concrete driveway, patio, or foundation may not seem like much to worry about, and you may be te...
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Shhh! 11 DIYs for a Soundproofed Home
No matter where you live, be it city, suburb, or country, noise is just about everywhere. Even the quietest of neighborhoods regularly experience some level of no...
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How to Clean a Washing Machine
When you throw a load of laundry into the washing machine, your clothes emerge stain- and sweat-free, and that’s a wo...
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How To: Refinish a Dresser
Hold on a second! Don't get rid of that old wooden dresser just yet. Give it a second look, and this time try to see ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Homemade Remedies for Driveway Oil Spots
Oil spots on asphalt driveways certainly don't add to a home's curb appeal. Ask ten people what remedies they recomme...
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IKEA Headboard Gets a DIY Makeover
Who doesn't love IKEA? It's affordable, flat packs make it easy to transport, and a breeze to assemble (well, usually...
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How to Install a Deadbolt Lock
Automated security systems are nice to have, but the easiest and least expensive way to improve the security of home ...
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How to Mix Concrete Properly
 Used to construct some of the world’s most famous buildings, from the Pantheon and the Sydney Opera House to Falling...
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How To: Tie Dye
A staple of summer camp (and of America in the late '60s), tie dye entertains and engages the young and young-at-hear...
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How To: Apply Epoxy Floor Paint
You lavish attention on the bedroom and living room, bathroom and kitchen, but what about the unsung hero of many smo...
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How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell
The stench of a skunk is strong and unmistakable, even when you’re in a car with the windows closed, driving through ...
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How To: Paint Metal
A fresh coat of paint can brighten the look and prolong the life of metal surfaces in and around your home. Painting ...
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5 Steps to Hiring the Right Roofer
Whereas other home upgrades are purely elective, roof repairs aren't a choice; they're essential.  Besides being crit...
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How to Get Rid of Moles Effectively and Humanely
Although you may scratch your head over what animal is digging holes in your yard, there’s no mistaking when that ani...
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What Would Bob Do? Repairing a Door That Sticks
In my house, several of our wood doors keep sticking. I've tried candle wax and have made sure all the screws in the ...
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How to Plunge a Toilet
People go weeks, months, and even years without giving the toilet a second thought. The instant it clogs, however, th...
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How To: Make Your Own Insect Repellent
There's great satisfaction in making something you could just as easily purchase ready-made. Besides that special fee...
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How To: Defrost a Freezer
Have you got a freezer full of frost? That'll happen. Fortunately, defrosting a freezer isn't as big a deal as people...
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How To: Paint a Deck (From Preparation to Restoration)
Q. First-time deck painter here. I have prepared my deck as well as possible, scraping away old paint and sanding the...
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How To: Polish Silver
Gleaming silver exudes refined charm, yet over time that lustrous beauty gradually fades with the accumulation of tar...
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How To: Hang Picture Frames on a Brick Wall
Although exposed brick offers a warm, appealing aesthetic redolent of history, many homeowners are puzzled by the que...
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How To Prevent Rust on Your Outdoor Furniture and Railings
Enter the yard of many homes in America and somewhere among the trees, shrubs, and grass, you’re bound to find metal....
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How To: Patch Drywall
Sooner or later, most of us need to patch drywall, whether for purely cosmetic reasons—filling nail holes, for exampl...
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DIY Concrete Lamp
Concrete is one of the most versatile materials. And unlike many raw materials, concrete can be molded into any shape...
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DIY Hand Planters
There are lots of DIY concrete planters out there, but not many are in the shape of a pair of hands. We were so struc...
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DIY Concrete Tabletop
Sometimes we see a project that truly bowls us over. This concrete tabletop from Pete at D. I. Y. Projects with Pete ...
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What Would Bob Do? Filling Nail Holes
Q: I’ve removed some carpet and want to refinish the hardwood floors below. What should I use to fill the holes left ...
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How To: Grow Potatoes
If you've never tasted homegrown potatoes, prepare to be amazed. A hundred days or so after planting—more or less, de...
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How to Install a Window Air Conditioner
For homeowners and renters who don’t want the bother (or expense) of installing a central air conditioning system, wi...
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What Would Bob Do? Leveling a Concrete Floor
Q: I’d like some advice on how to level a concrete floor. We plan to finish the basement in my house, and there are g...
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How to Recover a Chair
It’s only a matter of time: Sooner or later, your chairs with upholstered seats become worn, dirty, or dated. When yo...
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How To: Transform Cabinet Furniture with Spray Paint
This post has been brought to you by Rust-Oleum.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Is there a dated,...
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How to Get Rid of Wasps: Say "Goodbye!" in 5 Easy Steps
Spring and summer are lovely times of the year, but they do usher in a host of seasonal hazards, perhaps none more fe...
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How to Install a Medicine Cabinet
Add storage to your bathroom—and in the process, give the space a jolt of fresh style—by installing a medicine cabine...
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How to Hang a Hammock
Laying in a hammock is the epitome of summertime relaxation. Getting the hammock set up, on the other hand, can be a ...
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How to Start a Lawn Mower and Troubleshoot Common Problems
Unless you’re planning to hire a lawn care company to handle your yard maintenance, you’ll need to learn how to start...
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How to Install a Screen Door
Q: I'm going to install a new screen door. Any advice or time-saving suggestions on how to go about it?A: It's relati...
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How To: Create a Gravel Driveway
A gravel driveway can be very attractive in a characteristically unpretentious way, introducing casual curb appeal to...
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5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Wood Floor
This article is sponsored on behalf of Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Homeowne...
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How To: Clean Chrome
When it's clean, chrome glimmers—there's no other word for it. The downside? Chrome succumbs fairly easily to surface...
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9 Easy Ways to Remove Sticker Residue From Glass and Other Everyday Surfaces
Price stickers, labels on jars, decals—these informative, decorative, or simply provocative sticky things can be surp...
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Regain Your Footing: Top Tips for Common Wood Floor Repairs
This article has been brought to you by Lumber Liquidators. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Few thi...
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How To: Kill Mold
For those who live in a damp climate—or in a poorly ventilated home—mold can be a cause for concern. That's not only ...
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How To: Prune a Tree
Sometimes a homeowner prunes a tree for aesthetic reasons, trying to keep the landscaping neat and tidy. Other times,...
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What Would Bob Do? Unsticking a Double-Hung Window
Q: My wife and I recently moved into a rental house, and we cannot seem to open the double-hung windows in the bedroo...
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How To: Keep Deer Out of Your Garden
Though deer look innocent, home gardeners know they can be a menace to plants and trees. Gardeners also know that bar...
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How To: Get Rid of Crabgrass
If you are one of the many homeowners who labor in pursuit of the perfect lawn, then you know what a menace crabgrass...
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How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
You’re not alone in wanting to get rid of roaches. These creepy-crawly insects are a major problem around the country...
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How to Clean Leather Furniture
With its sumptuous texture and supple feel, leather furniture provides an element of luxury to your room decor. Fortu...
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How To Test Soil pH
Soil matters. To the plants you wish to grow in your garden, nothing is as important as what's in or missing from the...
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Couch Surfing: Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Sofa
A new sofa is an investment—not just of your hard-earned dollars, but of your time. You hope to spend many years with your sofa, so it's worth your while to seek ...
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How to Remove Paint from Concrete
Concrete is porous, which means that it readily absorbs liquids like paint. With this ease of penetration, paint can ...
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How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: 5 DIY Traps
Fruit flies are tiny insects that flock to ripening and rotten fruits and vegetables, both as food sources and places...
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How To: Deal With a Smelly Garbage Disposal
There's no denying the convenience of the garbage disposal: It simplifies so many of the activities that take place i...
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How to Clean Baseboards
Even if you spend hours washing the floor, dusting furniture, and vacuuming the nooks and crannies around your home, ...
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How To: Aerate Your Lawn
It's not easy maintaining a lush carpet of green grass. We only see the blades on the lawn surface, but the health of...
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How to Paint an Interior Door
Considering the low cost of the project and the relative ease with which it can be completed, painting a door is a te...
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How To: Plant Grass Seed
Do you want to establish a new lawn or rescue a worse-for-wear patch on your property? The solution is, of course, to...
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This Is the Best Way to Remove a Stripped Screw—Plus 11 Methods That Work in a Pinch
The best-laid DIY project plans can hit a snag if a stripped screw turns up. Though stuck fasteners with stripped hea...
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How To: Paint Glass
Smooth and reflective, glass makes a lovely canvas for paint. If, however, you've never before tried to paint glass, ...
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How To: Clean Copper
Copper can be a finicky material; it tarnishes easily even when subject to normal wear. Fortunately, using only commo...
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How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling
From the 1950s through the ’80s, the ceilings in many new homes were finished with a rough, stippled texture that bec...
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What Would Bob Do? Installing a Drop Ceiling
I'm interested in installing a drop ceiling in my basement rec room. Do you have any helpful hints for a do-it-yourse...
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How To: Paint Concrete
To paint concrete successfully—so that it looks good and lasts a long time—proper preparation is of paramount importa...
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How To: Clean Cast Iron
A durable material if there ever was one, cast iron occasionally requires cleaning, particularly where food preparati...
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How to Choose the Right Gutters
This article has been brought to you by Englert LeafGuard.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Gutters...
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Pro Tips: Basement Waterproofing
A clean, dry basement—there, doesn’t that sound nice? Yet the fact is, many of us live with basements that are damp, ...
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How To: Clean Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are so beautiful when first installed, but over time they can start to look a little worse for wear. ...
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How To: Clean Marble
Unquestionably, marble ranks among the most luxurious and beautiful countertop and flooring materials. Equally beyond...
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How To: Grow Moss
There are two main types of mosses—acrocarpous and pleurocarpous. The former grows vertically and resembles strands o...
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What Would Bob Do? Polishing a Concrete Floor
I am living in Spain and redoing an old house in the country. I'd like some of the floors to be polished concrete.  C...
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How To: Make Chalkboard Paint
Chalkboard paint lets you transform any wall into an endlessly reusable writing surface. Although it's readily availa...
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How to Remove Paint From Wood
It can be a mighty labor-intensive and time-consuming process to remove paint, which is why many DIYers dread or even...
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Repair Drywall with Less Hassle
Let’s be honest. Drywall repair is not something most people look forward to. Although it’s relatively straightforwar...
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How To: Decoupage
The fancy French word decoupage refers to the simple act of gluing paper or fabric cutouts onto an object. The result...
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How To: Clean Wood Furniture
Homeowners have long relished the beauty, versatility, and toughness of wood furniture—and above all, they've appreci...
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What Would Bob Do? Repairing Cracked Stucco
Q: My house is 55 years old and still has the original stucco. On one exterior wall, there's a fine crack with paint ...
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Homemade Fertilizer Makes the Grass Always Greener
Spring is near, and for many that means coaxing the lawn back into shape. Growing grass can be frustrating and reward...
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11 Tried-and-True Ways to Care for Hardwood Floors
By design, our floors will see some of the most wear and tear of any of the fixtures in our home. Even if you’re normally careful with your floors, life happens. ...
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How to Clean Window Screens
Window screens really take a beating. They're constantly exposed to the sun, wind, rain and snow, and pollen and inse...
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Shelf Life: 10 Bookcases You Can Make Yourself
Any bibliophile knows that storing your books is almost as much of an obsession as reading them. And while books can be an expensive habit, storing them doesn’t h...
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The Right Way to Handle a Paintbrush
Painting seems like a pretty straightforward task, so homeowners frequently choose to do it themselves in order to sa...
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How To: Hang Shelves
At some point in life, everyone wants or needs to hang shelves. Whether simple 2x4s or part of a store-bought kit, sh...
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How to Clean a Shower Head
If you’re looking forward to a hot shower with an invigorating blast of water spray, you’ll understandably be disappo...
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Bob Vila Radio: Fixing Chipped Stove Enamel
There’s something so crisp and clean about a kitchen with a traditional, white porcelain enamel stove. But sometimes ...
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How To: Remove Rust
Learning how to remove rust from metal isn't rocket science, and in homeowners' ongoing fight to maintain outdoor too...
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How To: Paint Stripes on a Wall
Painted stripes can be bold or subtle, identical or varied in size, horizontal or vertical. But no matter what design...
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How To: Install an Exposed Aggregate Concrete Finish
 Here's a way to create a decorative textured finish for a cement surface. Once your cement is poured and flowed out,...
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How To: Make a Picture Frame
What is art? Critics and philosophers are free to debate the question endlessly, but we think it's pretty simple: If ...
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How To: Spackle Exterior Siding
 When you're repainting your house, here's how to restore that smooth, original finish. After you've removed all loos...
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How to Install a Prehung Door
Installing a prehung door tends to be easier and more straightforward than hanging a door that isn’t prehung. While d...
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5 Ways to Clean a Microwave
Determining how to clean a microwave can seem daunting when there are many cleaning products marketed as the “best” w...
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How To: Make Concrete Countertops for Your Kitchen
The brute strength of concrete has made it the go-to building material for a variety of such outdoor installations as...
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How To: Cut Vinyl Flooring
It's easier to cut vinyl flooring to the exact shape and size of your room when you make a template first. Staple she...
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How To: Scribe Tile
 Here's how to scribe a floor tile to fit around an uneven edge. Set the closest full tile in place, then use another...
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How To: Paint Over Stain
 You can paint over existing interior wood finishes, if you take the proper steps first. Here's how. To paint over a ...
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How To: Install a Dryer Vent
Developed in 19th-century England, the first mechanized clothes dryers were perforated barrels that rotated over flam...
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How To: Make Your Own Milk Paint
Everyone knows that milk does a body good. But were you aware that milk also works wonders for walls and furniture? Y...
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How To: Remove and Replace Grout
Several years after you complete a bathroom or kitchen renovation, it inevitably starts to show some wear. One culpri...
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How to Install a Vinyl Window
Learning how to install a vinyl window is something most DIYers can do, and it can save them a lot of money. For star...
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How to Shim a Door
Shimming a door frame is a skill anyone planning to install a new door into a rough opening should know. When carpent...
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How To: Texture Walls
Learning how to texture walls does more than transform boring-to-look-at surfaces into pitted, peaked, and otherwise ...
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How to Mount a TV on the Wall
While mounting a TV to a wall isn’t a complicated job, doing it the wrong way carries pretty significant consequences...
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What Would Bob Do? Dealing with Bulging Drywall Seams
Q: Many of the drywall seams on my 40-year-old house are bulging. It doesn't appear as if the joint tape is pulling a...
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7 Easy and Effective Ways to Clean Oven Racks
It doesn’t take long for an oven to get dirty, particularly at this time of year. If you use the appliance at all, ba...
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How To: Install a Toilet
 If you're updating the bathroom, you'll need to know how to install a toilet. Apply a new wax seal over the waste fl...
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How To: Use a Phillips-Head Screwdriver
 When you're using a Phillips-head screwdriver, make sure that you're not doing it the hard way. Here's how. Be sure ...
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What Would Bob Do? Fixing Scratches on Wood Floors
Q: I have various scratches on my wood floors. Some add character, but some are just too big and need to go away. Wha...
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3 Simple Steps to a Backyard Ice Skating Rink
Over the snowy-white winter, adults and children make the most of the cold by taking part in a smorgasbord of seasona...
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How To: Remove Exterior Paint with a Pressure Washer
 Before you repaint your house, you have to remove all loose and peeling paint. A pressure washer makes the job go fa...
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How To: Make a Fresh Holiday Garland
This year, as you dress up your house for the holidays, consider decking the halls with twinkling lights, festive rib...
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How To: Stain Wood Shingle Siding
 Here is a helpful tip if you are thinking of staining some cedar shingles.  To protect new shingles, apply a penetra...
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How to Fix Christmas Lights: Troubleshooting, Repair, and Maintenance
 If avoiding frustration and preserving your holiday spirit are at the top of the wish list this holiday season, lear...
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What Would Bob Do? Draining a Water Heater
I just drained my water heater for the first time since it was installed back in '89. . . 24 years ago! The water cam...
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How To: Make a Gingerbread House From Scratch
The holiday season comes with so many traditions—cooking and baking, house decorating, caroling, and cocoa making—but...
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How To: Measure Concrete
 If you're pouring a concrete foundation, how do you figure out how much concrete you'll need? There's a pretty simpl...
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Be Nice to Mice: How to Build a Humane Mousetrap
None of us loves the idea of little Mickeys and Minnies scurrying around our homes. Some people insist they're cute, ...
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How To: Clean Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty—the mater...
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How To: Choose a Toilet
"With subtle style differences and various makes and models available, a toilet is a pretty simple machine designed t...
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How To: Paint Brick
There are a host of reasons that homeowners choose to paint brick:• If a brick fireplace is out of sync with the deco...
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Buyer's Guide: Tubs
Equal parts meditative and functional, today’s bathroom has been transformed into a spa, a place to unwind and refres...
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How To: Build a Winding Staircase
 If space is a consideration in your remodeling project, you might want to consider building a winding staircase.  Yo...
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How To: Make Fire Logs from Newspaper
As winter approaches, many homeowners are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to use their fireplaces and wood-burni...
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How To: Paint Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding first became popular in the wake of World War II, when this metal, which had been so crucial to the w...
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How To: Re-Glaze a Single-Pane Window
 Here's how to re-glaze those old, broken window panes. First, remove the old glazing compound with a propane torch a...
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How To: Paint Plywood Floors
For our newly renovated attic, we'd wanted solid wood flooring, but that idea, it turned out, wasn't practical: The a...
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How To: Choose a New Boiler
This content has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Feel that...
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What Would Bob Do? Cutting Drywall
I've got to remove some drywall in a room so I can nail studs behind the wall for anchoring purposes. What is the bes...
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How To: Clean a Microfiber Sofa
In recent years, microfiber furniture has risen in popularity with homeowners because the fabric is not only appealin...
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Quick Tip: Installing Crown Molding
 You can dress up a room by installing crown molding along the ceiling. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Always pl...
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How To: Remove Crayon Stains
 If you have kids, you know that crayons can cause some serious damage to any paint job. Here's how to tackle tough c...
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How to Wire a Light Switch: Easy Steps for Single-Pole and 3-Way Switches
Although it's easy to wire a light switch, you need a basic understanding of how electricity works in the home in ord...
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How To: Choose the Right Rug
Nothing can draw the elements of a room together quite like a rug. It can make a cold room cozy and inviting, define ...
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Buyer's Guide: Replacement Windows
It's difficult to overstate the importance of windows in home design, not least because they have an impact on both t...
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Quick Tip: Sawdust Grout
 It can be easy to patch cracks in an old wood floor or grout a new wood block floor. Here's how. First, make a mixtu...
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How To: Install Carpet and Transform Your Living Space
Love it or hate it, there are at least a few good reasons that homeowners choose carpeting. For one, it absorbs the s...
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How To: Install a Wood Block Floor
 For a very unusual floor finish, you might want to try wood blocks.  Lay out your floor the way you would any cerami...
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Basement Flooring 101
Surprise! It's all right to install virtually any type of flooring in your basement. Although hardwood should be avoi...
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How To: Clean Gutters with a Wet/Dry Vac
 A wet-dry vac is a great tool to have—and not just for cleaning up the workshop. They come in handy for those tediou...
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How To: Work with Chemical Paint Stripper
 Where stripping paint is concerned, there's just no easy way out.  Here are some tips. Cover the floor under your wo...
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How to Replace a Toilet Seat in Less Than 30 Minutes
Although a porcelain throne can last at least 15 years, the seat attached to it typically does not. The average toile...
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Quick Tip: Drywall vs. Blueboard
 When choosing wallboard, remember the difference between drywall and blueboard. Drywall panels are covered with pape...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Kitchen Appliance Care
Your kitchen contains more appliances than any other room in the house. When the units are in good condition, there's...
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The Complete Illustrated Guide to Unclogging a Drain
Stop—don't panic! You, too, can unclog that drain with these easy steps for banishing the backed-up sink and toilet.
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How To: Varnish Wood (Varnishing Made Easy)
A durable finish for woodworking pieces, furniture, and flooring, varnish beautifies wood and protects it from scratc...
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How to Install Beadboard
Beadboard is a type of wood paneling that has raised half-round vertical beads milled between flat lengths of board. ...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen makeovers are among the most popular of home improvements. They can be costly—a mid-range minor kitchen remod...
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How To: Protect and Beautify a Wood Deck
This post has been brought to you by Thompson's WaterSeal.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Choose ...
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How to Build a DIY Pallet Compost Bin
This post has been brought to you by Dickies.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. A compost bin is a g...
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How to Build Scaffolding (and When It's a Better Idea Than Using a Ladder)
Painting a home’s exterior, installing new siding, and putting up new gutters are just a few of the projects that req...
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How to Install Shutters
While giving the exterior of your home a new paint job or fresh siding may not be in the budget, one affordable optio...
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How To: Replace Damaged Tile
 Here's a way to replace damaged ceramic tile.  Remove the grout with a grout saw. Crack the tile with a hammer and c...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Roofing
Whether you are building a new house or renovating your current home, the roof will be one of the most important choi...
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How To: Build a Trellis (The Quick and Easy Way)
Low-cost additions to any landscape, easy-to-make garden trellises can be used to introduce shade or privacy, or to s...
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4 Ways to Identify a Load-Bearing Wall
Structural renovations can make a huge impact on the flow and feel of a space. However, they require removing walls, ...
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How to Remove Carpet
Even with regular vacuuming, carpeting accumulates a great deal of dust, dirt, and debris. When you finally decide to...
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How To: Weed Your Garden
Even late into the season, the summer can seem like one prolonged fight against garden weeds. The bad news? There's n...
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Low Water Pressure in the House? Here's What's Wrong and How to Fix It
Low water pressure in the house can be a real annoyance—the shower subsides to a trickle, the washing machine takes e...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Lawn Care
Americans are not bashful when it comes to expressing their love of lawns—it has been estimated that there are more t...
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How to Close a Pool for the Winter
Of all homeowner responsibilities, few so clearly indicate the end of summer as closing a swimming pool. Properly don...
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How To: Install Pegboard in Your Workshop
Does it look like a bomb went off in your workshop? Even the best tools are useless if they are nowhere to be found w...
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How to Save Seeds
Many veteran gardeners make a habit of saving seeds. While it is simple enough for most beginners to do, it’s also an...
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How to Install a Thermostat
According to the U. S. Department of Energy, using a programmable thermostat can help you save about 10 percent on yo...
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How To: Install Shower Valve Trim
A fast and easy way to freshen the look of your shower is to install new shower valve trim. If your trim resembles mi...
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How To: Install an Underground Sprinkler System
Lawn care can be especially demanding these days, with wacky weather throwing homeowners around the country for a loo...
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How to Plant a Bush or Shrub
Planting bushes and shrubs can add depth and diversity to your landscape. You can use them to add splashes of color t...
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Why Every Gardener Needs a Worm Bin
Anyone with a garden knows that fertilizer and enriched soil can be expensive. But did you know there is a source of ...
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Bob Vila's Guide to Exterior Siding
The exterior of your home faces a ceaseless barrage of threats from the hot sun, strong winds, precipitation in all i...
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How To: Repoint Brick Walls
Brick houses are hard to damage. Anyone familiar with The Three Little Pigs knows that. Inevitably, however, there co...
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Laying Sod: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Lush Lawn 
Laying sod is a great way to have a lawn without the interminable wait for seeds to germinate and grow, but don’t kid...
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How To: Stain Outdoor Wood Furniture and Equipment
Outdoors, stain helps wood furniture or backyard equipment look at home in the landscape. Whether you're working on a...
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How To: Install a Shower Head
Installing a new shower head is not quite as easy as changing a light bulb, but almost. [resource-list]Step 1As you b...
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Shower Heads 101
Gone are the days of the utilitarian shower head. Today's spigots are anything but standard. From sleek handheld unit...
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How To: Build a Basic Backyard Fire Pit
Many homes have fireplaces or propane stoves inside, but there’s nothing quite like enjoying a fire pit under the sta...
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The Perfect Paintbrush—and How to Choose It
Not all paintbrushes are created equal, nor are they all the right fit for every job. Use this guide to determine the best brush for your project.
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How To: Make an Inexpensive Desk for Your Kids
It was a challenge to find a desk for my five-year-old daughter. I needed something size-appropriate that would provi...
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How to Replace a Toilet
Does your toilet waste water with every flush? Perhaps it is aesthetically outdated (hello, pastel pink bathroom)? Ma...
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Double Digging Boosts Soil Health in Your Garden
Quality, nutrient-rich aerated soil is the foundation of a good garden. Sure, the "no dig" gardening method has its a...
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Planning Guide: Patios
Patio. The word itself calls to mind an image of splendid sun-drenched days spent sipping chilled drinks under the we...
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How to Stain Wood Furniture
The process of staining furniture is intimidating to many do-it-yourselfers, because special tools and chemicals are ...
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How to Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to get the look of wood for less, and it’s easy to install. In fact, tongue-and-...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint Cabinets with a Paint Sprayer
When it comes to painting cabinets, I know there are a lot of opinions and methods out there. But after I painted my ...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint a Staircase
As the times changed, so did my design style. When it became clear that my stairs needed an upgrade, and I was unable...
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Planning Guide: Basement Remodeling
Do you feel like your home is shrinking? Are the kids growing up and accumulating more stuff? Is your teenager demand...
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How To: Paint a House
Painting your house yourself is a big commitment of time. Just think about it. It can take a professional crew of thr...
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How to Tile a Backsplash
A tile backsplash adds color, personality, and function to a kitchen. Here’s how to install this relatively easy upgr...
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Planning Guide: Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchen makeovers remain popular as homeowners continue to invest to create a warm, stylish, comfortable, and efficie...
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How To: Care for Your Grill
Summertime! The living is easy and—more often than not—the food is grilled. From burgers, dogs, and steaks to chicken...
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How To: Choose a Paint Finish
In her new book, Black & White (and a Bit in Between), designer Celerie Kemble reviews the classic appeal of blac...
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How To: Use a Scraper
This is a tool for minimalists, for those who admire simplicity of form and function beyond all else. That's because ...
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How To: Make a Mortise and Tenon Joint
Mortise and tenon joints are the preferred style of joint for furniture and cabinetwork. It's strong, durable, and li...
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Operating a Drill Press
The controls vary from one drill press to the next, but there are a number of ele­ments that remain largely the same....
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Saw Blade Sharpening
A good handsaw, when properly treated, is a tool that can be passed with pride from one generation to the next. Essen...
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How To: Use a Portable Power Planer
Power planers are to jack planes as portable circular saws are to handsaws. Both the planer and the circular saw are ...
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How To: Use a Hand Plane
Very few workshop tasks can be as satisfying as putting a wood plane through its paces. There you are, just you and, ...
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Making Plane Adjustments
Using woodworking planes whose cutters are out of adjustment is like driving a car in the wrong gear: You may be able...
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Planning Guide: Bathroom Remodeling
Bathrooms continue to top homeowners' lists of popular rooms to remodel—and for good reason. As more Americans are ca...
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How To: Clamp a Glue Joint
A properly glued wood joint is very strong, but one that is glued improperly is likely to fracture given a minimum of...
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All About Skim Coat Plastering
Traditional plastering consists of three separate coats of plaster. The first two, called the brown and scratch coats...
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How To: Solder Copper Pipe Fittings
Connections are made between sections of iron pipe using threaded fittings. The walls of copper pipe, however, are to...
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Top Tips for Installing Drywall
You've probably hung some 'rock over the years, either at home or helping a friend refur­bish a room. So you probably...
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How To: Use a Hammer
At first, I felt a bit foolish explaining how to use a hammer. Most of us have seen children banging away with toy ma...
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How To: Cut Straight Lines with a Circular Saw
Despite its name, the portable circular saw (or any circular saw, for that matter) cuts only straight lines. The name...
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The Plumb Bob: What Is This Tool, and How Do You Use It?
This tool has ancient origins. Evidence suggests that Egyptian architects used plumb bob-like tools to establish vert...
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How To: Rebuild a Wall with Three-Coat Plaster
On the Manhattan Brownstone project, Bob, Chris Vila, and architect Brian O’Keefe discovered an intact ceiling cornic...
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Choosing Major Kitchen Appliances
Choosing major kitchen appliances can be fun, but homeowners should think of family and lifestyle first. If hiring a ...
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How to Paint a Room in 9 Steps
If you’re looking to give your living space a fresh new look in a short period of time for not a lot of money, painti...
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How To: Fight Off Termites
Preventing and treating termite infestations is a top priority for many homeowners. Termite control is not a do-it-yo...
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How To: Avoid House Painting Problems
Start any exterior paint job by cleaning, scraping, and repairing the surface. Take notice of how the paint has weath...
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Growing a Bamboo Garden
Clumping and Running BambooBamboo is a member of the grass family, with more than 200 species available in the U. S. ...
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How To: Create a Pet-Friendly Home
If you're a pet lover, odds are that you care enough to add the few touches necessary to make your home your pet's ca...
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How To: Rodent-Proof Your Home
While Ratatouille might have been a runaway blockbuster film, no one wants rats in the house — or mice or squirrels o...
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Top Tips for Installing a New Door
Most homeowners are installing a new door to replace an old door that’s been damaged or cut short to fit existing flo...
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Building a Basic Deck? Top Tips for DIYers
Decks and other outdoor spaces are different from ordinary rooms. They serve as an intermezzo between home and nature...
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Custom Moldings: Top Tips for Duplicating Interior Trim
Molding profiles tend to represent eras in building design. As architectural details, moldings often serve to pinpoin...
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How To: Devise a Lighting Plan
The spaces that people use for social purposes are defined in part by light. Too often, however, lighting design miss...
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Choosing the Right Floor
Floors must withstand your lifestyle. They get nicked by high heels, crusted by muddy boots and crushed by furniture ...
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Creating the Ultimate Garage Workshop
 To some, a garage is much more than a place to park the car and store junk. To the car enthusiast, it is a nerve cen...
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How to DIY a Mosaic with Broken Tiles
Have you ever been in a cafe or restaurant and admired the mosaic tile on the tabletops or walls? Well, it's not that...
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How to Install Tile the Right Way
Successful tile jobs are a direct result of good planning and a methodical approach. Double check every step; measure...
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Design a Home Gym
Many homes have a treadmill or dumbbell these days, but a home gym is more than just an accumulation of equipment—it’...
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Creating Your Ideal Outdoor Room
No matter what climate you live in, chances are outdoor rooms are hot in your area — and with good reason. Outdoor ro...
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Keep Garage Doors in Top Shape
The garage door is the single largest moving part in your home, and should be inspected and maintained every year. Wh...
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Choosing an HVAC System
If you’re considering a new system for your home, talk first to your architect or designer. Conversations with HVAC c...
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Buying Home Building Materials
If your designer has specified all the fixtures, appliances, and home building materials needed for the job, you may ...
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How To: Choose a New Roof for Your House
Whether you are building from scratch or choosing a new roof for your existing home, a wide range of materials are re...
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Quick Tip: DIY Mold Removal
Can You Tackle Mold Removal on Your Own?Mold problems are present in about 4 out of 10 American homes. With the often...
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How To: Make a Concrete Walkway
A walkway or garden path enhances a home's landscape and complements its exterior features. While traditional materia...
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Care and Cleaning Keep Wicker Wonderful
Wicker furniture and accessories are very popular choices for living spaces both outdoors and in.  Comfortable, sturd...
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How to Fix a Running Toilet
Nowadays, we don’t give much thought to our toilets, but there was a time when answering nature's call involved such ...
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All Garden Hoses Are Not Created Equal
Let's talk garden hoses. Every home needs at least one, whether to water the lawn, wash the car, or run the Slip 'n S...
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How To: Replace a Tub Spout
A tub spout does two things: It provides a decorative cover for the pipe stub delivering water to the bathtub, and it...
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How To: Build a Horseshoe Pit
When summer is on, it’s time to get outside and play. If you're looking for ways to make your backyard more fun, why ...
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How To: Fix a Leaky Faucet
A faucet—whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or behind the bar—acts like a mini dam, holding back a pressurized st...
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How To: Fix a Sagging Closet Pole
My wife and I recently reorganized our bedroom closet and added several new accessories, including a double rod hange...
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How To: Replace a Ceiling Light Fixture
Let’s face it: Many homes today feature inadequate, poorly positioned, and sometimes plain-old ugly light fixtures. B...
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How To: Choose a Programmable Thermostat
Looking for a small home improvement that yields big results? A programmable thermostat, properly installed and confi...
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Top Tips for Transplanting Sod
It’s been about 18 months since we moved into our house, but only recently have we begun to landscape beyond the basi...
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How To: Paint EVERYTHING
Make the most of your project, whether you're planning to paint wrought iron or wood flooring, concrete or curtains.
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How to Sand Wood
Sanding is often the unsung step of any project with wood. It can take a long time, and the results are subtle: Sandi...
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7 Simple Steps That Make Cleaning Ceiling Fans a Breeze
Ceiling fans are useful additions to any room. They provide a cool breeze when it's warm, circulate stale air, and co...
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How To: Make a Butterfly Garden
Butterflies are mesmerizing creatures with more to offer than beauty alone. Because they are nectar eaters, they are ...
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How To: Build a Brick Patio
Of all the materials suitable for use in patio construction, brick stands out for its beauty and ease of installation...
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How to Plant a Tree
Trees not only improve the beauty of our landscapes, but they provide a critical function for our health, too. These ...
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How To: Choose a Ceiling Fan
Choosing a ceiling fan is enough to make any homeowner’s head hurt. Here are my suggestions for simplifying this seem...
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How to Clean a Bathtub in 7 Simple Steps
There’s nothing like a long, leisurely soak in a hot bath to soothe away the stresses of the day—that is, unless the ...
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How To: Rewire a Lamp
You bought a beautiful antique lamp but upon closer inspection, you notice there is damage to the sheathing, the plas...
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How to Install Baseboard Trim
Installing new trim should be easy, right? Just measure the boards, cut the miters, and nail the trim in place. Well,...
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How To: Make a Mitered Corner
A mitered corner is formed by joining two pieces of wood, each cut to a 45° angle. One of the easier joints to cut, a...
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Top Tips for Watering Your Lawn
Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to think about lawn maintenance again. Go ahead and tune up your mower and sta...
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How to Dry Herbs
If you want to keep a little bit of your summer garden with you all year long, you can do so by drying herbs and stor...
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How to Use a Miter Box
A miter box is a simple, affordable tool that allows a DIYer to make accurate cuts in wood. Since this wood angle cut...
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How To: Clean Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and clea...
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How To: Make a Deck Rail Planter
Last year, I was dying to have some deck rail planters to grow spinach and lettuce in, but I couldn’t find any that w...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint Laminate
I recently gave my bookcases a much-needed makeover.  Ever since I had painted the room a deep blue, this faux-wood f...
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How To: Install a Stone Walkway
There’s a lot to recommend a bluestone walkway. The natural colors and textures look great in almost any setting. Mai...
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How To: Clean EVERYTHING
From shower doors to stainless steel, concrete, and slate, we've collected our best scrub-and-polish advice to aid in your spring cleaning.
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Helpful Hints for Cleaning Window Blinds
Window blinds are an extremely popular decorating option. But for blinds to look their best, they require regular car...
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How To: Choose a Wheelbarrow
With planting season around the corner, it’s time to hit the garage and take inventory: what have you got, and what d...
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Top Tips for Adding Under-Cabinet Lighting in Your Kitchen
Under-cabinet lighting can vastly improve the workability and appearance of your kitchen. For starters, under-cabinet...
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How To: Strip Wallpaper
How strong is your relationship with your spouse? Do you want to test it? Spend a weekend stripping wallpaper togethe...
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Top Tips for Installing Tongue-and-Groove Paneling
Install wood paneling in any room to inject architectural detail, warmth, and character into your home. Traditionally...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint Your Curtains
It might sound weird, but regular old latex paint on curtains can add up to lots o’ drama (the good kind). 1. Wash an...
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How to Clean Brass
Brass brings a warm, burnished glow to household items, ranging from switch plates and door knockers to bathroom fixt...
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How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Many homeowners look down upon vinyl plank flooring because they equate it with the same stuff that you could buy at ...
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How to Clean Vinyl Flooring Without Damaging It
Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting, even under a home's highest-traffic condit...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint Wood Furniture
Most anything can be transformed with a can of paint and some step-by-step instructions. Here's an easy, four-step tu...
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How To: Remove Varnish and Other Wood Finishes
Varnish, lacquer, shellac and other clear coats are applied to protect wood furniture and flooring from scratches, sc...
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How To: Choose a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Indoor air quality can be problematic at any time of year, but it is especially a concern during the winter months wh...
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Dream It, Do It: How to Paint Wrought Iron
I’ve had some rusty-looking wrought iron patio furniture staring at me from my backyard for years now. It came with t...
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How to Install Bifold Doors
Sliding closet doors are a common installation in American homes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best ...
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Starting Tomatoes from Seed
During the cold, dark days of January and February, my mind turns to sunny, bright red tomatoes—for this is the time ...
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How to Clean Concrete Floors and Driveways
The first thing to know about cleaning concrete? You don’t need to go easy on it. After all, it’s one of the most dur...
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Designing a Driveway with Long-Lasting Appeal
When we were building our new construction home, the driveway almost seemed like an afterthought. With everything els...
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How To: Paint Masonry Walls
Hurricane Sandy proved to be a trial for many of us. My wife and I were fortunate, and our home suffered no major dam...
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How To: Restore Cabinet Finishes
Your kitchen gets a lot of use. So it doesn't take long to begin seeing signs of wear and tear on wood cabinets. Soon...
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How To: Clean Slate
I have a slate fireplace surround that makes my living room feel really warm and earthy, even if the fire is not lit....
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Rx for Hardwood Floors
Special problems need special solutions—and that's particularly true of wood flooring.  When accidents happen, first ...
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How To: Prevent Frost on Windows
I remember waking up as a kid on wintry mornings to find frost on my bedroom window obscuring the trees and yard. Tho...
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How To: Paint a Wood Floor
The first time I heard about someone painting a wood floor I was skeptical. Would it last? Could you scrub it? And wh...
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How To: Maintain a Snow Blower for Peak Performance
There is a definite chill in the air, and the first snow flurries are flying… that means it’s time to get the snow bl...
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How To: Make an Evergreen Holiday Wreath
As soon as December hits, I’m ready to break out the Christmas cheer. When it comes to decorating for the holiday, I’...
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Repairing a Retaining Wall
Walls, normally thought of as interior design elements, are useful in landscaping, too. A landscaping wall can be fre...
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Using a Pressure Washer Around the House and Yard
What a difference the right tool or appliance can make! For instance, we were late arrivals to the pressure-washer pa...
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Easy DIY: How to Cut Glass Wine Bottles
The other day my roommate came home from IKEA with a pack of 100 tea lights. One hundred. To be fair, my roommate als...
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How To: Use a Leaf Blower
Fall is full of football, hot apple cider, and pumpkin pies. And leaves. For some, lots and lots of leaves. A leaf bl...
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How and When to Plant Garlic for Best Results
While you can try planting the leftover cloves from last night’s spaghetti, most of the time store-bought garlic has ...
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17 Types of Rakes Every Homeowner Should Know
Autumn leaves are falling, which means pumpkins, donuts, and lattes are available at your favorite morning pit stop. ...
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Everything You Need to Know About Winterizing Pipes
As you ready your house for the colder months ahead, don’t forget about your water system. When water freezes, it exp...
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How to Dry Hydrangeas for Stunning Tabletop Displays
The end of the summer is just days away but instead of celebrating the season, the last bright blooms are starting to...
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Selecting the Right Front Door
Almost no other part of your home gets as much exposure as the front door. It’s where you greet friends and family, s...
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How To: Plant an Apple Tree
Since moving to the 'burbs, I’ve been slowly trying to convert on this fantasy I have of backyard sustainability. I p...
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Composting 101: How to Put Kitchen and Yard Waste to Work in Your Garden
The best gardeners know the simple truth about compost: It’s better than fertilizer when it comes to providing a nutr...
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So, You Want to... Build a Porch
A porch is simply a deck with a roof on it, right? Not quite. While some porches may be as simple as that, many are m...
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How To: Clean Painted Walls
Cleaning painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple, albeit somewhat time-consuming....
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How to Refinish Cabinets and Give Your Kitchen a New Look
Refinishing cabinets is one of the best ways to give your old, ho-hum kitchen a fresh new look, and it can make a big...
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How To: Drill Straight 90° Holes (Without a Drill Press)
Except in special cases—when you intentionally choose a specific angle or bias—it's important to keep all drill holes...
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How To: Paint Trim
Looking to learn how to paint trim? It's not so different from painting other surfaces in a home. Your method will va...
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How To: Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
Recycling is more than sorting out plastic bottles and composting leftovers. Proper disposal of household objects is ...
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How To: Choose the Right Screw for the Right Job
Back in the day there were just two options, slotted or Phillips. You picked one, picked a length, and were good to g...
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How To: Install Floating Shelves
Before hanging anything, it’s important to find out what your wall is made of. Ideally, you should attach floating sh...
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Top Tips for Adding Cabinets in the Bathroom
You’re stuck with a small bathroom. Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can't fit in everything you need. Where s...
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Shopping for a Swing Set
One thing we miss about living in New York is the awesome city playgrounds. You could walk to a different one every d...
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How To: Install Landscape Edging to Boost Your Curb Appeal
The Best Way to Install Landscape EdgingAn easy, impactful way to refresh a tired planting bed or path is to install ...
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How to Clean and Care for Your Gardening Tools
A quality garden starts with quality care—and that doesn’t just mean keeping up with your weeding. Maintaining your g...
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Are Pocket Doors Right for Your Home?
When considering whether to install a pocket door versus a regular door, it’s important to understand the differences...
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How To: Dye Concrete Floors
Photo and text excerpted from Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague (Artisan Books, 2012)Dyeing floors is different ...
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How To: Make a Kite
There's nothing more fun for a child than learning to fly a kite. Who doesn't remember the thrill of watching their f...
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How To: Make a Window Box
A window box can add enormous curb appeal to a house and provide a garden opportunity for even city dwellers. And, th...
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How To: Make a Sandbox
With just some basic home improvement knowledge, you can build a simple backyard sandbox like this with colorful stri...
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How To: Build a Dry Stone Retaining Wall
Depending on the size and weight of the stones used to construct the retaining wall, the tools and materials for the ...
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How To: Plant a Vegetable Garden
One of the joys of summer dining is fresh, local produce. Nothing tastes better than a tomato or cucumber just off th...
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How To: Make a Tire Swing
Create some outdoor fun this summer—the old-fashioned way—with this "oh so easy" tire swing how-to.
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How to Refinish a Wood Table
Let’s face it, the easiest way to transform an old piece of furniture is to paint it. But if the piece is well constr...
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How To: Replace an Outdoor Wall Sconce
Updating the entrance to your home is a relatively easy thing to do. Add a pop of color by painting the front door in...
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How To: Lay a Stone Garden Path
A stepping stone path is easier to create than a full-blown walkway and lends charm and practicality to your yard. YO...
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How To: Care for Roses
Like most stars, roses are divas. When left to their own devices, they get tangled and produce only when they feel li...
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How to Install a Ceiling Fan in 7 Simple Steps
A ceiling fan can cut energy costs all year round. It helps circulate cool air in the warm summer months, but it can ...
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How to Build a Birdhouse
Building a homemade birdhouse can be a blast. Unlike real houses that require complex framing, these humble avian abo...
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How To: Make an Outdoor Shower
Whether you’re cooling off, rinsing off, or actually bathing, an outdoor shower is a fun and relatively easy summer D...
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How To: Seal a Driveway
Sealing your driveway may seem like a bothersome chore, but its benefits are significant. First, a regular coat of se...
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How To: Stain a Wood Deck
A wood deck is certainly a thing of beauty, but only if it is well maintained from year to year. If your deck is show...
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How To: Clean Your Toolbox and Workshop
While spring is generally considered the month for cleaning windows, airing out the house, reorganizing the cupboards...
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Top Tips for Growing Tomatoes
There’s really nothing better than a vine-ripened tomato plucked from the plant in your vegetable garden and still wa...
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How To: Get Clean, Chip-Free Cuts in Melamine and Veneer
Melamine-coated particleboard is a great material for storage, basement, garage, home office, and kid's room projects...
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How to Use a Saw the Right Way
Every time you use a power saw, you put your very own flesh and blood at risk. I've worked with more contractors than...
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How To: Protect Your Home from Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting. Unlike termites, wood damaged by carpenter ants does not ...
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How To: Dry a Wet Basement
A basement water problem can be as obvious as there being several inches of floodwater standing at the base of the st...
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How To: Clean Your Power Tools
Like everything with moving parts—your car, your computer, your body—your power tools will last longer and work bette...
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How to Install a Kitchen Sink in 10 Easy Steps
Installing a new kitchen sink is an excellent way to update the look of an outdated kitchen. While so many elements i...
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5 Ways to Get Perfect, Clean Cuts in Plywood
Plywood sheet goods are an essential in any home improvement project involving wood. But due to their layered structu...
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Paint Makeovers: An Expert Tells All
As a decorator and "junker," I've discovered plenty of beauty and utility in stuff others have kicked to the curb. An...
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The Best Floor Sander for Beginning DIYers
Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, the best choice for do-it-yourself floor refinishing is the ran...
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DIY Kitchen Countertop Makeover: Resurface Your Laminate Countertops with Rust-Oleum Transformations
At one time or another most of us have considered remodeling the kitchen. It’s the one room in the house that sees th...
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Laminate Countertop Renewal
Our laminate countertop looked fine, but the protective coating was pretty much gone. Coffee, tea, wine, juice, sauce...
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How To: Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Our 20-year-old cabinets were showing their age. The lacquer finish had gummed up around the handles and pulls, and t...
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Winter Preparation Checklist
Give your home a once-over and tend to winter preparation tasks and repairs before the year’s first frost. “Getting t...
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Filing Techniques
The first time I saw my father cut a piece of stock with a handsaw, he made it look easy. When I tried it, I discover...
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How To: Stack Firewood
Nothing celebrates the colder weather like the distinct scent and sound of a crackling log in the wood burning firepl...
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How To: Patch Plaster Walls
Finishing a new wall or room with plaster or joint compound takes practice. If you have no experience with plaster or...
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How To: Mulch Your Flower Beds
Laying mulch before the winter gives your soil a head start for the next growing season. It also protects delicate pl...
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How to Plant Bulbs in Fall
When nighttime temperatures are consistently around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and soil temperatures are around 55 degree...
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How To: Install a Dimmer Switch
I like mood lighting as much as anyone, particularly first thing in the morning when the full blast of light from a 1...
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How to Install a Light Fixture
While any projects having to do with electricity are not to be taken lightly, installing a light fixture is a task ma...
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How to Install a Garbage Disposal
When your garbage disposal starts making odd noises or stops working altogether, it probably means it’s time to repla...
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How to Install a Faucet
If “replace kitchen faucet” is on your to-do list, you’ll be glad to know that changing or installing a new faucet is...
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How To: Finish Drywall Joints
Most of the time finishing drywall joints isn't one of those jobs that has people jumping up and down with excitement...
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How To: Install Door Hardware
As a person who has recently upgraded from living in a garage to living in a half-constructed house, the novelty of h...
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How To: Replace a Door Closer
The door closer on my front porch—that mechanical cylindrical device that keeps the door from flying open too far and...
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Painting the Guest Bedroom
Bob is in the guest bedroom across from the nursery reviewing the kind of paints being used and interior painting tips.
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Decorative Painting Techniques With B. Smith
Decorator B. Smith paint a lavender stripe pattern on a bedroom wall.
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Roof Sheathing
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
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Tour of Colonial Williamsburg
In Colonial Williamsburg, Bob visits a cabinetmakers' shop, where traditional methods of building furniture are still in practice.
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Tour of The Barnacle
Bob tours of The Barnacle, one of the first homes built in Dade County, FL, to see how early settlers built in order to deal with the heat.
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Sheathing the Back Porch Roof
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton, who explains the framing technique used to replicate the front porch, before he sheaths the new back porch roof.
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Tips on Exterior Painting
At the Plymouth project site, tips for exterior paint prep and application are shared.
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Installing New French Doors
Bob helps the contractors work on building and installing new French doors.
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Drywall Techniques
Plaster contractor Claude Daigle demonstrates his preferred drywall techniques.
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Painting the Exterior
Bob joins Ron Boyajian to talk over painting the exterior clapboards. The surface is power-washed, sanded, and primed. Then, acrylic paint is applied. The painter...
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Installing High-Performance French Doors
Cordell Burton (from Pella Windows) joins Bob to show off the in-swinging French doors to be installed. It's constructed of solid wood and double-pane, low-e glas...
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Regulating the Refrigerator Temperature More clips
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