Green Home
From materials and products to clever, everyday practical information, read on to learn more about green home living.
Addressing Mold Issues in Your Home
It’s pretty common to have mold somewhere in your house. Sometimes, the problem is simple enough to tackle with regular cleaning products from the supermarket. However, there may be times when you need to call in the pros for help. Either way, it’s crucial to combat the situation ASAP, as mold growth can lead to serious illnesses. Here's what you need to know and do to protect your family and your home.
Is Your House Making You Sick?
Is your house making you sick? Learn how to put a stop to illnesses caused by materials or chemicals in your home.
How to Dispose of Old Gasoline
Did you know that the fuel for your vehicle or power equipment can expire? Here’s how to tell if it’s no longer ok to use and find out how to safely transport and get rid of it.
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Paints
Are you looking for a safer alternative to traditional interior paints? Read this guide to learn how to choose the right type of products for painting projects that will yield great results with a less negative impact on the planet and your family’s health. Here’s what you need to know about buying non-toxic paint safe for you and the environment.
The 10 Best Solar Generators (2023 Review)
A solar generator gives you backup energy from the sun if you’re out camping or if you’re experiencing a power outage. We’ve reviewed the top solar generators here.
DIY Natural Cleaning Products
Keep your home clean and safe from harsh chemicals with these natural products and DIY cleaner recipes.
How to Dispose of Grease and Cooking Oil
Read this guide to learn how to avoid the inconvenience of a clogged drain by properly disposing of your cooking and frying oils.
8 Household Recycling Tips
Not sure if your household waste belongs in a blue bin or trash bag? Here’s how to decide which items to recycle in your household.
8 DIY Humidifier Ideas
Heating systems tend to rob the air of much-needed moisture content, leaving you with itchy skin, stuffed sinuses, and poor air quality. These DIY humidifier ideas will help increase your home’s humidity for a more comfortable environment.
How to Make a DIY Air Filter
Ross Trethewey explains how air filtration systems work and how to build a localized DIY air filter.
How to Remove Mold on Drywall
If you notice mold on a drywall surface in your home, try not to panic. The truth is that mold can happen anywhere and in any home. All it needs to grow is a source of moisture and an organic food source, and drywall can be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Read these steps on how to safely remove mold from your drywall.
How to Test for Black Mold
Do you keep getting a whiff of something musty in your bathroom or basement? Afraid it might be mold? Learn about three of the most popular kits to test for mold at home.
How to Remove Mold From Wood
Mold commonly grows on wooden surfaces, as wood is very good at absorbing water. Add to this moisture warm temperatures and mold spores (which are always in the air), and it’s the perfect storm for a mold infestation. Read our guide to learn how to easily remove mold from wood.
How to Clean & Polish Copper
Tackle dirt and tarnish to restore the rich, gorgeous gleam of this durable metal—on cookware, plumbing, and other household items.
The 5 Best Air Purifiers
Air purifiers create cleaner, healthier air that eases breathing and assists with allergies. In this review, we look at the best air purifiers on the market today.
How to Clean Tile Grout With Homemade Cleaner
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva offers cleaning tips on how to get rid of dirty tile grout using only household supplies.
Household Cleaners That Kill Coronavirus
To protect yourself against coronavirus, pick a household cleaner that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved to kill the virus—and then follow the manufacturer’s rules exactly.
What to Do With an Old Christmas Tree
When the holidays are over, take down the tinsel, but don’t bag the tree. Here are 10 ways to dispose or recycle your Christmas tree.
10 Uses for an Egg Carton
After the eggs are all scrambled and eaten, the container is useful for home improvement
Where to Find Safe Paint Strippers
Read about these alternatives to traditional, harsh paint strippers that are making furniture refinishing easier on the lungs.
How to Deep Clean Your House
Go beyond the weekly dust swipe-and-sweep and gear up for what pros call a "deep cleaning." Read our tips for deep cleaning your living room, bathroom, kitchen and laundry appliances.
How to Prepare Your Home for Coronavirus
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads in the United States, there are several ways to prepare your home during the outbreak.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Basement
Got mold in your basement? Read this guide to learn how to identify and treat mold.
All About Green Homes
A green home is house that’s both healthy for the environment and for its occupants, with the main criteria being energy efficiency, sustainability, durability, and human health.
How to Remove Air Pollution in the Home
While a tight, well-insulated home is great for saving energy, trapping lots of stale air indoors can undermine your health. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that the quality of the air inside is healthy and free from harmful pollutants.
What to Know About Non-Toxic Kitchen Cabinets
Protect your health by choosing one of these non-toxic materials for your cabinets.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality
Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey discuss indoor air quality, what it is, and how to measure it.
How to Paint a Mold-Resistant Bathroom
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique paints a bathroom using a mold-resistant paint, in this edition of DIY Smarts.
What to Do with Paint Leftovers
Finished a major project? Here’s how to deal with a little extra paint (or a lot)
33 Ways to Upcycle Old Things
Got any of these items laying around the house? Repurpose them into creative home enhancements
Touring Celebration, Florida
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey visits Celebration, Florida, a planned community south of Orlando that was built using the principles of new urbanism
Jamestown Net-Zero House: Little Green Giant
Traditional architectural details and a more open floor plan combine with the latest energy-saving—and energy-producing—technologies at a new This Old House TV project