Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 163)

A person opening a toilet lid.
Toilets

Does Closing the Toilet Lid Before Flushing Reduce the Spread of Germs?

Learn what science says is the most important thing you should do to keep germs in the toilet from contaminating bathroom surfaces.

The Best Drain Cleaners for Hair Option
Cleaning Supplies

The Best Drain Cleaners for Hair and Grime

Get the lowdown on how to find a drain cleaner that can tackle the toughest drain clogger: hair.

Person putting spray bottle with other cleaning supplies in supply closet.
Cleaning & Organizing

How to DIY the Ultimate Cleaning Supply Cabinet

Make home chores a breeze by creating the perfect cleaning supply storage system with these must-have products and organizational tips.

An outdoor fire pit on a cement patio burning a wood fire.
Lawn & Garden

The Best Fire Pit Accessories to Upgrade Your Backyard Setup

It’s time to add some useful and stylish accessories to your fire pit—and maximize your outdoor fun.

A group of the best tabletop fire pits on a picnic table before testing.
Reviews

The Best Tabletop Fire Pits to Enhance Your Home, Tested

Create a dramatic and elegant centerpiece, indoors or outdoors, with a beautiful tabletop fire pit.

9 wood burning tools on a craft table
Tools & Materials

We Tested the 9 Best Wood-Burning Tools

If you’re ready to try your hand at a hot new hobby, check out these top pyrography tools.

Light carpet being cleaned with a black-and-red standing vacuum cleaner with a bagless dust compartment.
Cleaning

Yes, Your Vacuum Needs to Be Cleaned Regularly—Here’s How to Do It

Deep-cleaning your vacuum cleaner for like-new suction and performance is as simple as following this step-by-step guide.

The Best Oil For Lawn Mower Options
Mowers

The Best Oils for Lawn Mower Maintenance

Choosing the right lawn mower oil is vital to the longevity and performance of your machine. Read on for in-depth advice on how to find the best oil to keep your mower going for years to come.

ego power lawn mower review
Reviews

You Can Still Find Lawn Mower Deals on Ego, Toro, and More—Up to $600 Off

This may be the last chance to get your mower on sale before your yard care routine picks up. See our favorite deals.

A shady perennial garden in a residential neighborhood filled with flowers and foliage that can tolerate shade.
Gardening

These Are the Best Perennials for Shady Spots in Your Yard

If your garden beds lack sun, choose appropriate perennial shade plants for colorful and lush looks throughout your landscape.

Person tightens pipes under bathroom sink.
Bathrooms

Sewer Smell in the Bathroom? A Master Plumber Explains What to Do

Bathroom odors are par for the course, but a bad smell could also indicate a dangerous situation. Here’s how to tell if you can DIY a fix for a sewer smell in the bathroom, or whether the problem is serious enough to warrant a call to a plumber.

A-persons-hands-in-yellow-gloves-use-spray-cleaner-and-a-magnetic-sponge-to-clean-refrigerator-shelves.
Cleaning

5 Ways You Can Use Magnets to Clean Your Home

Magnets can make cleaning faster, easier, and more efficient. Learn how you can integrate magnets into your house-cleaning routine.

A-woman-looks-at-a-tablet-while-a-man-holds-a-baby-in-the-background-of-a-house-during-repairs.
Home Finance

Where to Find Grants and Forgivable Home Improvement Loans and Who Qualifies

Find out how you or someone you know could qualify for up to $50k in home improvement assistance.

A person using the Makita brush cutter to clear vegetation along a wooded area.
Power Tools

We Tested the Cordless Makita Brush Cutter—Did It Make the Cut?

This popular battery-powered brush cutter quickly cleared out a swath of overgrown vegetation without wearing me down.

Vick's VapoRub packaging and jar.
Gardening

7 Ways to Use Vicks VapoRub in the Garden

From repelling pests to healing cuts, this cough and cold staple offers some surprising uses.

A young woman accessing a control panel on the top of a robot lawn mower in the yard of her upscale smart home.
Landscaping

Smart Yard: Cutting-Edge Tech for Your Home Landscape

Want to make your home landscape more enjoyable and less time-consuming? Infuse your yard with convenient and efficient technology.

A person installing Flooret flooring using their click-lock system.
Tools & Materials

Flooret Flooring Review: Direct-to-Consumer Floors That Are Worth the Hype

A-person-wearing-a-face-mask-and-plaid-shirt-uses-blow-in-insulation-in-an-attic-space.
Insulation

Pros and Cons of Retrofit Insulation

Adding retrofit insulation to an older home requires a nuanced approach that depends on which areas of the house you want to insulate.

The Best Tile Leveling System Options
Tools & Materials

The Best Tile Leveling Systems for DIYers or Pros

The right tile leveling system helps create consistently flat and visually attractive walls and floors.

The rustic Barn by Minka-Aire ceiling fan installed on a ceiling for testing.
Major Systems

The Minka-Aire Ceiling Fan Is Impressive, but Is It Worth It? A Tested Review

Rustic décor is buzzing. Find out what happened when I installed and tested a popular farmhouse-inspired ceiling fan.