Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 181)

A person using the Shark HydroVac with LED lights to clean hardwood floors.
Reviews

Shark HydroVac Review: Is This Vac/Mop as Good as a Bissell CrossWave?

Pick up everyday dirt, fallen food, and even liquid spills with the Shark HydroVac XL—a quality multipurpose machine that vacuums wet and dry messes while washing the floor, cutting cleaning time in half.

The Craftsman 3000-Watt Inverter Generator, which measures 18 inches high by 22 inches long by 13 inches wide and weights 59.5 pounds.
Reviews

My Hands-On Test of the Craftsman 3,000-Watt Inverter Generator: Is it as Efficient and Quiet as it Claims?

This little generator is quiet, fuel efficient, and lightweight, but does it produce enough power for your project?

Woman holding salt shaker in left hand and pointing to it with her right index finger.
Repurposing

Why You Should Sprinkle Salt Onto Your Cutting Board—and Into Your Coffee

It's absorbent, abrasive, eco-friendly, and inexpensive: Here's why we should all be keeping stocks of salt in our cars, sheds, toolboxes (and yes, our kitchens).

An upright freezer full of food between a workbench and storage cabinet.
Reviews

The Best Upright Freezers for the Home or Garage

Shop less often and store more food efficiently with one of these convenient, cost-saving appliances.

Woman carefully caulks the gap between her tub and tile wall using a caulking gun.
Tubs & Showers

How to Caulk a Shower or Tub

Refreshing caulk every year or so goes a long way to preventing water damage and mildew. Caulking a shower or tub is an easy DIY, too! Here's how to get professional-looking results.

A group of the Best Flannel Sheets still folded and grouped together before being washed and tested.
Mattresses & Bedding

The Best Flannel Sheets for Chilly Winter Nights, Tested

Keep warm during the cooler months with comfy, soft flannel sheets on the bed.

10 Flood Essentials to Have on Hand
Home Safety

10 Home Essentials to Have on Hand for Floods

Be ready when the unexpected strikes with these essential items for flood preparedness.

A group of the best toilet bowl cleaner options placed on a toilet.
Cleaning Supplies

The Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners, Tested and Approved

Get the chore of cleaning toilets done quickly, easily, and admirably well with the right formula for your household.

A group of the best towel warmers on a carpeted floor prior to testing.
Bath Fixtures & Fittings

The Best Towel Warmers, According to Our Hands-On Tests

Add luxury and health benefits to your bath with a top-notch towel warmer that suits your style, space, and budget.

A person sliding a filter out of a furnace before replacing it with a new one.
HVAC

The Best Furnace Filters to Keep Your Equipment Running Smoothly

Regularly changing the filter helps protect your furnace from dust and airborne debris, but not all air filters are created equal. This guide highlights what to look for when buying a replacement furnace filter.

The Best Gas Water Heaters Option
Reviews

The Best Gas Water Heaters for Today’s Home

Discover the features offered by many of the best gas water heaters.

A group of the Best Air-Fryer Toaster Ovens together on a kitchen counter and row of TV trays before testing.
Appliances & Cookware

The 7 Best Air-Fryer Toaster Ovens, Tested and Reviewed

We gave today's most popular air-fryer toaster ovens a trial run. Find out how well each model fared (pros and cons) in our test kitchen.

A group of the best vacuums for tile floors grouped together on a tile floor before testing.
Appliances & Cookware

Sweeping Success: The Best Vacuums for Tile Floors Tested

Suction power can rid tiles of dust bunnies, dirt, and pet hair. See some of the best vacuums to keep tile floors polished and clean.

Person turning on gas stove.
Appliances

How to Light a Pilot Light on Gas Appliances

Keep this guide handy in case you find yourself having to kickstart your old gas furnace, water heater, oven, or stove.

Woman wearing protective eyewear cleaning dirty ceiling fan with microfiber cloth.
Cleaning

7 Simple Steps That Make Cleaning Ceiling Fans a Breeze

Dust shouldn’t rain on your head when you want to cool down a room. Learn how easy it is to keep a fan’s blades, lights, and motor clean.

Best Non Stick Spray For Snow Blowers Review
Reviews

Stop Snow Blower Clogging Before It Begins With DuPont Nonstick Spray

Prevent snow blower interruptions and frustration with a nonstick spray that keeps the augers and chutes clear. Even wet and icy snow won’t slow you down.

Woman scrubbing the inside of a toilet with a pumice stone.
Toilets

How to Clean a Toilet the Right Way (Yes, There’s a Right Way)

Should you scrub the outside or the inside first, or clean top to bottom? Follow these steps to get a sparkling, sanitary bowl in about 10 minutes.

close view of Air purifier in the foreground with blurry view of man t his desk in the office
Interior

This Is Where to Place Air Purifiers in Your Home for Maximum Benefit

Know exactly what to do and what to avoid when setting up an air purifier so it can run as efficiently as possible. 

Hands holding a bunch of mint from a home garden.
Gardening

How to Grow Mint (and Keep It Under Control) In Your Home Garden

If you would like fresh mint for teas and garnishes, keep in mind that growing your own is easy and shouldn’t cost you a mint!

The Water Creation Madison 30-Inch Modern White Vanity in a grey bathroom with a small wooden stool next to it.
Bath Fixtures & Fittings

The Best Bathroom Vanities for Storage and Style

Add under-sink storage while expressing your style with a vanity that suits your bathroom decor, budget, and square footage.