Read the latest articles from Bob Vila

Dirty stovetop and grates on a gas stove.
Cleaning & Organizing

How to Clean Stove Drip Pans

Banish caked-on food and grimy messes with these two methods for cleaning stove drip pans.

Free Makita Tools at Acme Tools
Deals

Hurry, Acme Tools is Giving Away Free Makita Power Tools

Makita’s grass shears—usually $119—are free for a limited time with this Makita outdoor kit at Acme Tools. No code needed.

The Best Window Air Conditioners
Reviews

We Tested the Best Window ACs for Every Room, Budget, and Heat Wave

Today’s top window air conditioners are energy efficient and Wi-Fi ready.

A selection of the best mutitools
Power Tools

After Vigorous Hands-On Testing, These Are the 10 Best Multi-Tools of 2025

A plethora of handy gadgets in one compact package makes multi-tools increasingly popular. See how some of today’s models fared in my hands-on testing.

Group shot of straps
Tools & Materials

Secure All Your Most Important Gear With The Best Ratchet Straps

Transporting your stuff with a truck or car? These 6 ratchet straps make it easy to keep all kinds of equipment and cargo on your vehicle.

A group of 5 of the best robot mowers on a lawn before testing.
Mowers

We’ve Tested 14 Robot Lawn Mowers; These 6 Are the Best

Our favorite automatic mowers feature easy programming, accurate navigation, and consistently high-quality cuts.

The Best Pool Heater Option on the grass next to a pool
Reviews

How To Choose a Pool Heater Plus the 9 Best Models for Efficient Heating and Energy Savings

Keep your pool running longer throughout the year at comfortable temperatures with a new pool heater.

The Home Depot Ryobi Days Deal Includes a Ryobi Bundle for Under $100 and Free Tool
Deals

Score Ryobi Tools for Under $100 During Home Depot’s Ryobi Days—Includes Free Bonus Tool

During Ryobi Days, this Home Depot deal gets you four incredible tools, all for under $100.

A person adding salt to the best water softener option
Appliances

Do You Have Hard Water? This Is How to Size a Water Softener for Your Home

When it comes to sizing a water softener, accuracy really matters.

A cottontail rabbit eats a marigold from a planted garden.
Lawn & Garden

13 Ways to Keep Animals Out of Your Garden Without Harming Them

Use deterrents—not poisons or traps—to keep wildlife from eating your garden bounty.

HunterFan Pendants both featured image
Lighting

How I Styled HGTV Star Jasmine Roth’s Hunter Fan Pendant Lights

Subtle but stunning, these fixtures helped tie my whole room together.

PEX piping with red and blue attachments; a man installs copper piping in a basement.
Interior

PEX vs. Copper: Which Pipes Are Best for Your Plumbing Project?

Get the 411 on two popular choices for water supply pipes to make the right choice for your plumbing project.

Green pressure washer sitting on a lawn.
Cleaning & Organizing

11 Mistakes Most People Make with a Power Washer

Power-washing is not a mysterious process, but if it’s done improperly, it can do serious damage. On your next power-washing project, be sure to avoid these common mistakes.

Interior of a small house with high ceiling.
Design

10 Small House Plans With Big Ideas

Dreaming of less home maintenance, lower utility bills, and a more laidback lifestyle? These small house designs will inspire you to build your own charming new abode (or hire a pro to do the work for you).

Man pressure washes the front walkway and steps of a home; image looks out toward walkway and front yard.
Tools

8 Things You Can Clean With a Pressure Washer

There are few things more satisfying than watching a pressure washer blast away built-up grime and debris from outdoor surfaces—in fact, it can be downright soothing.

Testing pool vacuums like the Dolphin Nautilus in an above-ground pool
Reviews

We Tested Above-Ground Pool Vacuums for a Month—These Are the Best of 2025

The best above-ground pool vacuums can take some of the stress off your filtration system to clean debris at the bottom of the pool.

If You Can Boil Water, You Can Fix These 10 Things Around the House
Cleaning

If You Can Boil Water, You Can Fix These 10 Things Around the House

If you get plain old water hot enough, it can be a valuable ally in maintaining your home and garden.

A farmhouse-style home with a propane tank outside for clean, reliable energy and backup power.
Energy & Power

How to Be Less Dependent on the Grid and Lower Energy Bills

Propane offers a safe, efficient, and reliable way to keep the power on.

Free Ryobi Power Tools During Ryobi Days at The Home Depot
Deals

Last Chance to Score a Free Ryobi Tool During Home Depot’s Ryobi Days Event

Get two Ryobi batteries, a charger, and your pick of a high-value power tool. It’s one of the best DIY scores of the summer.

View of person from knees down sweeping bamboo floors with a broom.
Cleaning

How to Clean Bamboo Floors

Cleaning the bamboo beneath your feet the right way will keep it looking its best for years to come. Can you Swiffer it, or use vinegar? Here's what you need to know.