DIY (Page 6)

PopSci's curated collection of life skills, tech tips, and hands-on projects we think you'll love.

Latest in DIY

toilet paper shaped like sad face

Why you should consider a bidet

By Debbie Wolfe

a tv on a dresser

How to use the Matter smart home standard: The best way to get all your devices talking to one another

Best Snow Shovels for Seniors

The best snow shovels for seniors

By Brandon Russell

How to create custom AI chatbots in Google Gemini

Early warning systems save lives during disasters.

How to sign up for local emergency alerts before natural disasters strike

By Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett / The Markup

jars filled with different types of fruits and vegetables in liquid

How to start pickling food

By Debbie Wolfe

the google tasks interface on a cell phone

Google Tasks is the best Google tool you’re not using

concept of busy airport

Old-school strategies for flying in the age of new technology

By Christopher Schaberg / The Conversation

six bouquets of different herbs hanging upside down on a wood backdrop

How to dry herbs at home (and why you should)

By Debbie Wolfe

screenshot of freetube

Freetube is the best way to watch YouTube

Microsoft MS-DOS user's guide in front of old computer

How to get MS-DOS up and running on Windows or macOS

lego figures on a hard drive

How to spot when your hard drive will fail before it does

a van driving in desert

The do’s and don’ts of using AI to plan your travel

apple maps screenshot with "get moving" text

How to use Apple Maps on the web

herbs growing in kitchen

How to start growing herbs in your kitchen

By Debbie Wolfe

cellular shades

Ditch your old blinds for cellular shades

By Lauren Leffer

an SUV with a pop tent on top and a ladder in front of a mountain lake

Going off-roading in a DIY’ed Porsche Taycan (yes, a Porsche)

By Kristin Shaw

a gaming controller in front of a flash cart

Flash carts are the ultimate retro gaming accessory

a flower garden with a brick pathway running through the middle

How to figure out your gardening zone

By Debbie Wolfe

hands typing on a computer with microsoft start menu open

How to customize (or replace) the Windows Start menu

children's hands typing on a laptop

How to block websites on your home network

Modern laptop flat lay yellow background.

7 tips to make the most of using a VPN

Closeup of broken eyeglasses with damaged colored lens surrounded by different lenses on table in optical shop. Replacement of glasses lens. Glasses service and repair concept

Don’t throw away your old sunglasses

By Debbie Wolfe

screenshot of proton docs

Proton Docs vs Google Docs: Should you switch?

a red hovercraft vehicle sits on the mud with two occupants in the cabin

Teacher spends 1800 hours building the hovercraft of his childhood dreams

By Keith Wagstaff

a TV with actor ryan gosling on it. the setting is a living room with back to the future posters on the wall

How to calibrate a TV: Fix color, brightness, sharpness, and more

By Nicholas Ware

Two black morels in spring are well camouflaged on the forest floor

How to start forest farming: Grow delicious food in the woods

By Alisha McDarris

a brick pathway through a lawn with clover

Should you plant a clover lawn? The pros and cons.

By Debbie Wolfe

a hand holding a remote in front of a TV playing a soccer match

What is TV Refresh Rate? From 60Hz to 120Hz and beyond.

By Nicholas Ware

a plugged in smart phone on a table

You can (and should) stop charging your phone when it hits 80 percent

pile of denim jeans closeup

How to clean your denim without ruining it

By Debbie Wolfe

The 8 best portable solar panels for on-the-go charging, tested by experts

The 8 best portable solar panels for on-the-go charging, tested by experts

retro TV against plain blue wall in empty room

How long do TVs last? When and why you should replace your set.

By Nicholas Ware

pile of clothes

How to pick the best fabrics for sweaty season

By Debbie Wolfe

a lawnmower cuts grass

You’re probably mowing your lawn wrong

By Debbie Wolfe

Entertainment app on iphone 14 pro in smartphone screen close up view

How to request all the data Netflix, Spotify, and other apps have on you

a pile of books on a wooden table

Why you should buy physical copies of your favorite books

tv antenna on the roof of a house

How to connect an antenna to a TV: Watch movies, shows, and sports for free

By Nicholas Ware

photo of an iphone screen with imessage icon showing one new message

This iPhone feature will filter out spam and texts from people you don’t know

DeWalt drill driver kits on a plain background

This $129 DeWalt drill and driver kit is the best Prime Day tool deal we’ve seen so far

By Stan Horaczek

LEVOIT OasisMist 1000S in a room with two happy people.

Humidifiers vs. Dehumidifiers: How they work and what you need

By John Alexander

blue shield with G on it along with other security icons like a lock, cursor and gear

Google is making dark web reports free for everyone. Here’s how they work.

white tank top with yellow armpit stains on a plain, orange background

How to remove sweat stains from white shirts

By Debbie Wolfe

two photos of little libraries. one is shaped like a cactus, the other is a simple blue box with glass windows

How to set up a Little Free Library

How to make a walkie talkie for your dog

How to make a walkie talkie for your dog

By Bill Gourgey

a person's hands typing on a typewriter

The 5 best writing apps that help avoid distractions

a microphone in front of a laptop on a desk

How to transcribe text for free using AI

The Best Home Wind Turbines Of 2024 on a plain white background.

The best home wind turbines, according to experts

By John Alexander, Nick Hilden

Best air quality monitors sliced header

The best air quality monitors, according to experts

By John Alexander

a pot of venus fly trap plants on a table

How to care for a Venus fly trap

By Debbie Wolfe

a computer on a yellow background

How to use the new Gemini AI tools built into Chromebooks

Vase with flowers on table near color wall

Science tricks to keep your flower bouquets looking fresh

By Debbie Wolfe

a robot using a computer

How to spot an AI-generated video

audio book concept with stack of books and headphones

5 places to listen to free audiobooks

The Best Power Drills

The best power drills, tested and reviewed

banana peel, orange peel, eggshells, coffee grounds on a wood countertop

6 kitchen scraps to throw in your garden

By Debbie Wolfe

a lake and hills on a tv

How to customize screensavers on your TV

map from 1761 showing the regions of that era in the northern hemisphere

Love history? Explore this interactive collection of old maps.

Fraudulent call centers are well known for targeting older adults.

Older Americans are at more risk of fraud than ever

By Laurie Archbald-Pannone / The Conversation

a hand holding an iphone that is glowing

All the AI features coming to Siri on your iPhone

orange bucket filled with leaves. a hose rests on the edge of the bucket with water coming out

How to build a mosquito kill bucket

By Debbie Wolfe

coffee can camera obscura

How to make a coffee can camera—in 1961 and today

By Bill Gourgey

a hand holding iphone with apps open

How to hide apps on your iPhone

an ipad propped up on a table displaying a photo of a black and white cat

Turn your old iPad into a digital picture frame