Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 134)

Stack of different colored microfiber towels.
Interior

You’re Probably Washing Your Microfiber Towels Wrong—Here’s How to Do It Properly

Learn the best way to wash and dry your microfiber cleaning cloths to maximize their effectiveness and increase their lifespan.

Women in striped shirt and jeans adjusts thermostat temperature.
Interior

What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat in Winter?

Is there a “sweet spot” temperature that’s both comfortable in winter and won’t cost an arm and a leg? We asked an HVAC expert to weigh in.

overhead shot of woman painting tile floor
DIY

Thinking About Painting Your Tile Floors? Here’s What You Need to Know

Want the luxurious look of decorative tile flooring at a fraction of the cost? Painting the tile can transform a room in just a few days—no demolition or power tools required!

Reliable and powerful outdoor motion-activated lights grouped together on a table.
Reviews

7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights, Tested and Reviewed

Keep your home safe and visible at night while saving energy via quality outdoor motion sensor lights. We tested today’s top motion sensor lights—see how well each model performed.

Best Mouse Trap Options for DIY Pest Maintenance
Reviews

The Best Mouse Traps to Keep Your House Rodent-Free

Stop marauding mice from spreading germs throughout your home with one of these top mouse traps.

Side view of handyman, technician using screwdriver while fixing boiler or water heater, working on heating system in apartment. Manual work, maintenance,
Interior

This Is When a Handyman Can Install a Water Heater—And When You Need to Hire Someone Else

Does water heater installation fall within the skill set of an experienced handyman? The answer depends on the handyman, the complexity of the project, and the needs of the home.

icicles tan house
Exterior

How to Prevent and Remove Ice Dams

If your roof is weighed down by heavy icicles every winter, you could have an ice dam problem. Follow these techniques for removing ice dams before they damage your home—or hurt someone.

January BV Readers' Projects
DIY

6 Crucial Tasks BobVila.com Readers Are Doing Right Now—Including 1 That Shocked Our Editors

There are some projects you should take on during the dark and dreary first months of the year. We’ve rounded up the ways BobVila.com readers are filling their time right now, and why these tasks should be done ASAP.

A woman rolling out a large high-pile area rug out on the floor of her home.
DIY

This Is the Best (and Cheapest) Way to Flatten a New Area Rug

Try these tips to keep a rug from curling up and creating a trip hazard.

Various palm houseplants in living room.
Lawn & Garden

13 Stunning Palm Plants That Are Easy to Grow Indoors

Long a symbol of victory, palms are easy-care plants that flourish in your indoor garden.

A residential gas meter outside of a home for reading how much to charge on a gas bill.
Interior

Solved! Why Is My Gas Bill So High?

Learn what could be causing higher than expected gas bills and, more importantly, what you can do to help get the costs under control.

A cast iron houseplant sitting on a window sill inside a house with a graphic overlay that says Plant Care 101.
Lawn & Garden

This Cast Iron Plant Care Routine Is About as Easy as It Gets

If you have a bit of brown thumb, try the cast iron plant, a leafy beauty that tolerates low light and intermittent watering.

A person painting a drawer with graphic overlay that says New Year, New Skill.
DIY

How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro

Flex your creativity, redecorate on a budget, and reduce bulky waste—you can achieve all three by learning the art of furniture painting with Bob Vila.

Swarm of gnats.
Interior

How to Get Rid of Gnats, Indoors and Out

Are gnats plaguing your houseplants and living areas? Try these DIY remedies for how to get rid of gnats fast—and naturally—to eradicate them for good.

Lease vs. Finance Solar Panels
Energy & Power

Home Security Giant ADT to Exit the Solar Industry

ADT's struggles with its solar business finally came to a head just a couple of months after announcing the closure of half of its branches.

Antiquing vs. Distressing: 8 Tips on Creating the Look and Patina of a Genuine Antique
Interior

Antiquing vs. Distressing: 8 Tips on Creating the Look and Patina of a Genuine Antique

Celebrated DIY style maker, home blogger, milk paint purveyor, author, and photographer Marian Parsons—aka Miss Mustard Seed—gives advice on antiquing and distressing furniture.

Kitchen demolition after a burst pipe.
DIY

11 Ticking Time Bombs in Your House—and What to Do About Them

If you ignore necessary but manageable maintenance issues today, you might end up with bigger—and more expensive—problems on your hands down the road.

A newly clean dryer vent hose with a small pile of dryer lint in front of the hose.
Interior

How to Clean a Dryer Vent in 5 Simple Steps

A dryer vent that's clogged with lint doesn't just reduce the appliance's efficiency—it is a potential fire hazard. Here’s how to get your vent clean and keep it that way.

Green shiplap walls with natural bench and colorful green and pink tile on the floor.
Interior

The 10 Best Painted Tile Floor DIYs We’ve Ever Seen

If your tile floors are dated but structurally sound, there's an alternative to replacing them outright: Paint them! It doesn’t cost much to prep, paint, and stencil them to match your style, and your guests will be none the wiser.

A group of the best indoor gardens together on a tiered table before testing.
Reviews

The Best Indoor Gardens for Flowers and Herbs, Tested

Ready to perk up your home or office with herbs, fresh flowers, or even vegetables? We tested today’s most popular indoor gardens—find out how they fared in our hands-on trials.