HEALTHY HOME
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Improve your home’s indoor air quality—and your overall mood—with an easy-to-grow houseplant.
Rake, rake, repeat! That activity seems to sum up many homeowners’ autumn weekends, and just when you think you’re of...
Summertime is packed with fun activities: barbecues, beach vacations, afternoon swims, and backyard games. But the warm weather also summons pesky bugs and creepy...
Basements were once used solely as utility rooms that housed furnaces, laundry areas, and overflow storage for seasonal items, tools, and sometimes even root vege...
You may think you keep a clean kitchen, but all of those nooks, crannies, and corners are perfect hiding places for bacteria and other nasty bugs. Even some seemi...
Building codes promote safety and uniformity, but they’re usually enforced only during construction and remodeling projects. If you live in an older home—or if yo...
Q: I was alarmed to find pink mold in shower grout of the guest bathroom recently. Is this as bad as the toxic black...
Asbestos, a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, was a common element in construction materials due to its resili...
Basement flooding easily ranks among the top ten homeowner nightmares. Though recovering from a flood certainly isn't...
Plagued by excess moisture and lack of ventilation, bathrooms are especially susceptible to mildew. The fungus typically appears on walls, tile, or grout, and it ...
Q: Recently, I’ve noticed a vague sulfur smell in my house. It comes and goes, and I’m not sure where it’s coming fro...
One of the most common living organisms in the world may have taken up residence in your home, and you may not even know it. Mold—the common name for thousands of...
Ever walked into a bathroom and paused to question the mustiness of the space? It's not news that those damp quarters...
As any pet-loving homeowner can attest, playful dogs and fluffy felines liven up the house and enrich our lives. But did you know that many people unwittingly exp...
Q: I’m a stickler for hygiene and never snack in bed, so I don’t imagine my sheets ever get that dirty. How often sho...
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “the United States enjoys one of the world's most reliable and safest supplies of drinking water.” Occasionally,...
Eating healthier tops the list of the most common New Year's resolutions of 2018, according to a recent poll from YouGov, an online polling platform. There are pl...
Sugar truly deserves its place of honor in pantries around the world. It's indispensable for sweetening up beverages like coffee and tea, and it adds delicious fl...
The world is full of germs—we encounter them every day on our way to work, at school, or as we prepare dinner in the ...
It's winter, so get ready for several months of that hot, dry air that your HVAC system pumps out. Even worse, while the heat is on your house will be buttoned up...
The pantry—originally a room to store bread—dates back to medieval times, though today this cool, dry spot keeps a much wider variety of foods safe to eat. With t...
Everyone knows that a good night’s sleep is essential for a productive day—but it's how to achieve that sleep that eludes many slumberers. It could be that the qu...
Americans enjoy easy, take-it-for-granted access to some of the cleanest, clearest water in the world. Still, even wa...
This article has been brought to you by Mirum. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Eating ice cream for...
How healthy and safe is your bedroom? The answer may surprise you. If you're keeping some of these seemingly innocuou...
A healthy houseplant can bring vibrant color and fresh fragrance to any room. But some indoor greenery collects dust or releases pollen, both of which can trigger...
Heating and cooling doesn't come cheap—especially if your HVAC system has to work harder to overcome heat loss due to...
Your bathroom may be your spot to relax in the tub after a long day, but with all that plumbing, humidity, and other business going on in there, the location’s fu...
What’s the best way of storing gasoline so that it's not only safe, but ready for use the next time you need it? Here...
Nobody wants to breathe in dust, dander, pollen, and mold. Unfortunately, though, the air in our homes is loaded with...
Sitting at a desk all day had long been associated with “secretary’s spread,” but doctors at the Mayo Clinic point ou...
For a century, the naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral asbestos was a mainstay of the building industry, use...
Did you know that in the United States fires kill more people than all non-fire natural disasters combined? Perhaps e...
Stop your sniffling and your shivering this winter, and invest in a happier, healthier you. With a few well-chosen purchases, you can turn your home into a warm, ...
Walk into any home on any street in any town and you are likely to see the same fire safety features that you have in...
More than four out of every 10 Americans use a home water treatment unit of some sort, according to the Water Quality...
Heating and air conditioning strip your home’s air of its natural humidity. The result: An uncomfortable dryness that...
Can an armchair cure your allergies? Could an office chair help you stay in shape? Believe it or not, your furniture could play a role in your overall health. Whi...
Before modern pharmaceuticals, people turned to nature to find cures for what ailed them. The efficacy of those medicinal plants hasn’t changed. You can still gro...
Do you hear suspicious scrabbling behind your walls? Are you finding questionable black pellets in the basement? Does your pantry have a sharp, musky odor? Chance...
Q: I just went to clean our rental property after the tenant moved out, and I found black mold in the bathroom. Yuck!...
A clean and tidy home is a safe home, at least that's how it seems. Unfortunately, there are many hidden dangers hiding in seemingly innocuous substances found in...
Warmer temperatures invite us to throw up the blinds and open a window. But good weather isn't the only reason to let the fresh air in. Even the cleanest homes ca...
Purchasing a house that needs some TLC can be a good investment—if the needed repairs aren’t too costly. While some fixer-uppers can come together with a coat of ...
There’s nothing quite like the joy of living in a home with character, craftsmanship, and history within its walls. Y...
This season, as temperatures drive lower and lower, it's only natural for people to retreat into the safety and comfo...
If radon tests have found unacceptably high readings in your home, there are at least a few effective ways to address...
Is there anything worse than the sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, and overall misery of the flu? Well, get ready, because the beginning of winter marks the ...
A hardworking humidifier is a lifesaver during the dry, cold months of winter. Its dedicated function—adding moisture...
No doubt the best way to manage mold is to prevent it. But if your basement floods and mold gets a head start, there'...
House fires are more common than you may realize, with potential fire starters like light bulbs, laptops, and lint traps hiding in plain sight throughout your hom...
<p>Spring allergies may not be devastating, but they certainly are a nuisance. If you suffer, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are affected by spring aller...
In the United States, we are fortunate not to have to think much about water quality. Most of us simply turn on the t...
Could your house be making you sick? According to the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Indoor...
In a busy home and even busier life, your bedroom is often the one space you can turn to for a little bit of respite. So why clutter up a would-be zen zone with i...
With temperatures low across the country, heating systems on full blast, and houses buttoned up against the cold, the air in your home can pretty dry this time of...
Everyone has at some point pulled something questionable from the fridge, sniffed it, then handed it to someone else asking, “Is this still good?” But sometimes, ...
When I talk to homeowners about safety, the discussion often centers around using tools and ladders and so forth. But...
Air quality can suffer in myriad ways. Excess humidity ranks among the least desirable effects. Left unchecked, moist...
Homeowners know too well that not all greenery contributes to the beauty of a garden. Weeds, for instance, are a chie...
The air in your home may not be as fresh as you think it is. If you're not careful, indoor air can harbor not only be...
Home has traditionally been viewed as a sanctuary, a place of refuge from the dangers and uncertainties lurking in the outside world. As safe and secure as we try...
If you ask most people where they feel the safest, chances are the answer will be in their own home. But home safety depends on a variety of factors, and potentia...
For those who live in a damp climate—or in a poorly ventilated home—mold can be a cause for concern. That's not only ...
No matter how clean your home may be, it's probably still a little dusty. It's a pervasive problem that everyone has to deal with every day. It's more than an ann...
I am moving into a new home. The previous owners had a dog. I am wondering if cleaning the air ducts is worthwhile. ...
For most people, dust is a housecleaning nuisance. But for those with respiratory ailments or allergies, dust can be ...
There's no better time than spring to give your home some serious deep cleaning. It's finally warm enough to wash your windows without freezing them shut, and now...
The harmful effects of VOCs on indoor air quality have received a lot of attention in recent years. In response, pain...
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that evaporate easily, releasing potentially harmful compounds int...
Scratchy throats, frequent nosebleeds, dry skin, and static electricity can be common occurrences in winter—particula...
Because today's new houses are built to allow less air infiltration than older homes, mold growth has become a conce...
How do I get rid of a cigarette smoke smell in my house?The smell of cigarette smoke can affect virtually every part ...
Today’s weather-tight homes are great for energy efficiency, but they’re not so good for indoor air quality. The grea...
More things trouble homeowners than what goes “bump in the night.” Here are eight dangerous problems you'll want to avoid—or swiftly remedy.
An exhaust fan is a must in a bathroom, because it whisks away the humidity that can allow mold and mildew to grow. N...
Did you know that radon gas, a byproduct of decaying uranium in the soil, is the second leading cause of lung cancer ...
Hot and muggy summer weather outside can mean excess moisture inside. Mold and mildew, musty odors, condensation, war...
The interest in environmentally friendly floors is growing as people learn about deforestation, air quality, growing ...
Where to StartToday’s HVAC is more than just the equipment that heats, ventilates, and cools our home. It is the inte...
Obviously there’s some green stuff in your kitchen, like lettuce and broccoli. But beyond buying organic food, it’s e...
Research by the American Home Furnishings Alliance out of High Point, NC, reveals three interesting points about cons...
Cabinetry is commonplace in kitchens, bathrooms, and often home offices and family rooms. But while durability, style...
Your ElectricityYou hear it everywhere, but it’s an easy and cost-effective change: compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. ...
From water conservation to efficient lighting and green cleaning, the bathroom is an ideal room to make eco-friendly....
We can live for weeks without food but only days without water. Since water is such an essential part of our health a...
According to the American Lung Association, lung disease and breathing problems are the number one cause of death in ...
One in four Americans suffer from allergies or asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immun...
Mold is more prevalent today because the focus on improving energy efficiency resulted in more airtight homes that do...
We spend a large part of our lives indoors yet the idea of indoor air pollution can be easy to dismiss, especially if...
Many older houses incorporate construction materials that contain asbestos. Usually its presence is uncovered during ...
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the U. S. A colorless and odorless gas, CO is a ...
Before you tear down a wall, rip off old woodwork, or strip old paint, ask yourself when it was installed. If it was ...
The health benefits of low-VOC paints for people with chemical sensitivities and respiratory conditions are well docu...
As the days are getting colder, the air is getting drier. While lotion coupons are at the forefront of the Sunday pap...
The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality as our fourth largest environmental threat. Some of the worst polluters of the ...
Cleaning green is becoming more important to many people, especially those with allergies, sensitive pets, or childre...
Four out of ten American homes have a mold problem. If you’ve got an area less than 10 square feet and your household...
With its new eco-minded Emerald paints and ColorCast Eco Toners, Sherwin-Williams gives homeowners more high-performi...
Recycling is more than sorting out plastic bottles and composting leftovers. Proper disposal of household objects is ...
There’s more to that “new paint smell” than you might think. What you’re smelling are volatile organic compounds, or ...
Late summer’s when you see ‘em, but now’s not actually the best time to mess with a bee or wasp nest. The queen esta...
I’ve been lucky with basements. Having purchased five houses in my life, not one has had serious basement moisture is...
It’s estimated that 40 percent of American homes have a mold problem. LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON MOLD PROBLEMS, or ...
The Danger of VOCs There’s more to that new paint smell than you might think. There are already federal restrictions ...
You want to know the water in your home is safe, but depending on what’s in it, you may not need a whole-house filtra...
Bob Vila recently contacted me because he had a bee infestation in his attic. I've made several visits to his house s...
If you have a limited home improvement budget and a modest bathroom, don't despair. There are numerous upgrades you can do to beautify your existing bath and even...
Noise is an occupational hazard in any shop where power tools are used. Strategies must be employed to minimize the d...
For 125 years, this hardworking household cleanser has been keeping America’s kitchens and baths sparkly clean—withou...
Poor Air Quality Threatens HealthThe American Lung Association reports that the death rate from lung disease has rise...
While ensuring quality drinking water in the home is a good start, that’s only the beginning. Water quality also affe...
The roof of the new addition is being insulated – in an environmentally conscious way – to retain the heat from the radiant heating system. Moisture- and mold-res...
Fiberglass windows and sliding glass patio doors are installed. A trailer is brought in to remove moist air and bring in dry, clean air to prevent mold growth whi...
The house is insulated for sound control to provide a quiet environment for baby. The installation of the insulation is demonstrated along with the necessary safe...
The new windows in the baby’s nursery are highly insulated for cold and sound and have health and safety features for young children. They can be installed by do-...
Bob continues to talk with Bernadette Upton of EcoDecor about the materials used in an ideal room for baby and safety procedures to put in place when the baby bec...
In West Palm Beach, FL, the American Lung Association has sponsored a designer showhouse that highlights a healthy home. Bob’s house tour focuses on the baby’s ba...
Much cosmetic, insulation, and sound reduction work has transformed a tired-old attic bedroom into a peaceful, pretty, and healthy room for baby.
A Corian tub surround is installed in the master bathroom, custom fit through a digital photo template system. Steps are taken to prevent water seepage and bacter...
Bob reviews child safety gates and organic baby bedding products that will help keep baby safe and healthy.
Sound attenuating insulation is added to the nursery to reduce the echo effect of noise.
Bob is in the guest bedroom across from the nursery reviewing the kind of paints being used and interior painting tips.
Bob visits the South Bronx, NY, where Habitat for Humanity has partnered with private developer Les Bluestone to create a green oasis for low-income families that...
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
Bob meets with architect Gregory Rochlin and expert carpenter Danny Ruffini to restore old double-hung windows and replace lead sash weights with new spring-loade...
A double window is installed in the kitchen, which will let in a lot of sunlight and give a view of the back yard.
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing in the basement and the replacement of obsolete brass water pipes.
Basement drainage systems are installed to control moisture and humidity and to eliminate rot and mildew.
Bob reviews how keeping water out of the basement is a central concern in any basement remodeling project.
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Bob discusses the installation of a basement half-bathroom, including wiring, plumbing, and radiant heating.
George Saylor from Owens Corning is on location to install, and explain the unique properties of, the insulation being used in this project.
Bob spends a moment with the drywall contractor before speaking with Thad Goodman of Georgia Pacific. Mr. Goodman tells Bob about the unique, mold-resistant prope...
Bob gets a final status update on the restoration of the façade, as the ground-floor commercial storefront undergoes construction and the bluestone steps are laid...
Bob confronts the remodeling challenge of choosing a flooring material that will deaden sound without sacrificing the sleek, clean look of tile or stone. So contr...
Bob meets with Joe Adams and Ralph McGrath in the media room of Elm Court. Adams and McGrath are installing a sound-attenuating grid-ceiling system from Owens-Cor...
Bob checks out one of the recently refinished rooms at the Elm Court.
Howard Brickman shows Bob two ways to measure the moisture content of wood.
Reviewing the architectural floor plans for the Brownstone remodel, salvaging the vintage sink, and removing asbestos tile uncovered at the start of demolition.
Bob talks with Ron Holen from Georgia-Pacific as the finishing touches are completed on the redwood front porch deck. Bob also visits with farmers at Cedar Mounta...
Bob explains how the Kinetico water purification system works and reviews the A.O. Smith ProMax 75 gas-fired water heater.
Bob discusses the SpacePak HVAC system that's being installed to provide heating and cooling in the house and barn. The SpacePak system is well-suited to projects...
Bob joins Joe Sheridan (from Energy Guard) to learn more about the US Greenfiber Cocoon cellulose insulation being used in the barn.
Fred Giuggio (from QuickStep) and his crew are busy installing wood laminate flooring in the barn of the Victorian restoration project house.
Bob joins plumber Ted Moxham and Kinetico representative Dave Krupinski in the basement, where Ted is installing a Kinetico water purification system.
Cole Stanton (from Fiberlock) joins Bob to talk about Child Guard, an encapsulating coating for lead-based paint.
Bob looks on as contractors remove lead paint from the porch columns, then safely dispose of the old paint.
Bob works with the homeowners, who are stripping old paint off an antique cabinet. On top of the chemicals used to loosen the paint, they discuss the several safe...
Bob assists Patty Hettich in stripping paint from decorative woodwork, then making rubber molds to create new details in the Federal-style home.
The wood has arrived for the perimeter benches, so Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin constructing the architect-designed benches for the greenhouse. The wood is ...
