Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 177)

Person holding keys stuck in door lock.
Doors

5 Fixes for a Stuck Key

Leaving your keys at home isn't the only way to get locked out. If your key gets stuck in a lock, try these tricks for getting back inside your house without having to call a locksmith.

Nine all-purpose cleaners on a countertop in front of white subway tile
Cleaning Supplies

The Best All-Purpose Cleaners to Make Your Entire Home Sparkle, Tested

The best all-purpose cleaners tackle germs, grease, and grime on a variety of surfaces. Here are the best ones on the market.

A pink peony in a home garden with a graphic overlay that says plant care 101.
Gardening

How to Grow Peonies to Achieve the Ultimate Cottage Garden at Home

Although peonies can be slow to produce, the size and sumptuousness of those old-fashioned flowers makes them worth waiting for.

A person replacing a flush valve on a leaking or running toilet.
Toilets

How to Replace a Toilet Flush Valve Step by Step

Save yourself some money by learning how to DIY this important home repair.

Succulents in glass terrarium.
House Plants

How to Make a Terrarium in 5 Simple Steps

Living in a glass house might not be much fun for people, but some plants flourish under the always-on-view conditions of glass terrariums.

A DIYer using a glue gun on a piece of plywood with a graphic overlay that says Tool Tutorial.
Easy DIY Projects

How to Use a Glue Gun for Crafting and Home DIY

Glue guns are convenient tools for crafters and DIYers, but can burn you if you don't use them correctly. Learn how to use a hot glue gun safely, and get to crafting and fixing.

The Best Bed Bug Spray Option
Reviews

The Best Bed Bug Sprays for DIY Pest Control

Don’t let your carpets, curtains, furniture, and bedding become the permanent home of a bed bug infestation. Grab the best bed bug spray and eradicate these parasites.

Many whiteflies on the undersides of a plant's leaves.
Garden Pests

How to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants

These tiny winged insects can devastate vegetable gardens and ornamental plants. Follow this multipronged approach to eradicate whiteflies without using chemicals.

A grandfather, father, and son moving into a new home.
Buying

5 Home Ownership Expenses That Are Tax Deductible—and 5 That Aren’t

Find out how last year’s home purchase or refinance can (and can’t) help lower your tax burden.

How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs
Pest Control

How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs—and Keep Them out of Your Garden for Good

Protect your cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and other gourds from squash bugs by following these simple tips for removal and prevention.

Hands holding clear plastic bag.
Repurposing

20 Seriously Surprising Uses for Ziploc Bags

Zipper-close plastic baggies aren't just for leftovers and school snacks. Learn how handy they are for organizing, gardening, DIY, and even pest control.

The Best Presidents' Day Sales of 2024
Deals

The Best Presidents’ Day Sales You Can Shop

Enjoy impressive discounts on tools, bedding, appliances, and more.

The Best Heat Press Machines Options
Reviews

The Best Heat Press Machines for DIY Projects

Customize accessories at home with a handy heat-press machine.

Sewage Backup Cleanup Cost
Cleaning

How Much Does Sewage Backup Cleanup Cost?

Sewage backup and flooding is an unpleasant and unsanitary situation that is best handled by professionals. The average sewage backup cleanup cost ranges from $2,000 to $10,000.

A person spraying Wet & Forget Miss Muffet's Revenge spider repellent onto a roof overhang.
Reviews

The Best Spider Repellents to Keep Creepy Critters at Bay

Looking for a humane way to keep spiders out of the house without killing them? It’s easier than you might think.

Sunny backyard with fence and fruit trees growing.
Landscaping

14 Fast-Growing Fruit Trees to Jump-Start Your Edible Landscape

In a hurry to pick fruit from your very own tree? Plant any of these rapidly growing or dwarf fruit trees and you’ll soon be noshing on healthy, vitamin-packed, fiber-filled produce.

a stack of unused white coffee filters on a light green table.
Repurposing

20 Uses for Coffee Filters You Have to See to Believe

Coffee filters are surprisingly useful when cleaning, organizing, and even gardening. Learn a few good reasons to keep a stash of these inexpensive household helpers on hand.

Large stack of firewood with plastic wrap on top.
Fireplaces & Chimneys

This Cheap Storage Hack Keeps My Firewood Dry All Winter Long

A simple $18 purchase beats any other storage solution we have tried.

A microwave drawer installed among white cabinetry under a dark kitchen counter.
Appliances & Cookware

The Best Microwave Drawers That Heat Food and Blend in With Cabinets

Microwave drawers do more than reheat leftovers—they give a typically clunky appliance an almost luxurious quality. Find out which ones are worth the cost.

who to call to fix washing machine
Interior

Solved! Who Do I Call to Fix My Washing Machine?

A washer not working may just be a case of a faulty appliance—or it could signal an issue with one of the home’s major systems. The right professional to call for washer repairs depends on the nature of the problem.