US Japan Fam

How to Get Rid of White Residue in Dishwasher

1/27/2021

Disclaimer: this post includes affiliate links - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

So if you're wondering how to clean your dishwasher, more specifically, looking into removing residue from hard water, this is the post for you! I too have that icky white film on dishes, glasses, and inside of my dishwasher! My husband even complained that the glasses SMELLED! WHAT!?

I'm not quite up to the task of making a homemade dishwasher detergent, and read how damaging vinegar and other things can actually be for your dishwasher. But I wanted something environmentally friendly, a more natural dishwasher detergent. I checked the EWG Database, they have great guides and a huge database where they rate products' safety based on the chemicals they include (THE best to search for the best environmentally friendly cleaners).

Please note, this is NOT SPONSORED, I simply bought some products that scored REALLY well on the EWG database and seemed to have great reviews for getting rid of white film in dishwasher, and figured I'd share how they worked for me, in case they might work for you!

Supposedly Lemi Shine products use citric acid to break down hard water residue and whatever is contributing to your cloudy dishes. Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent is a great environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent (and according to GE, dish detergent packs do better than liquid, but be careful if you have little ones at home who may mistake them for candy), but the Lemishine Booster is what really really did the trick. It didn't get my glasses 100% crystal clear but got them to about a 90, and cleaned the dishwasher completely.

Watch the video to see how they did (links under the video to purchase, if so inclined):

Do you have another technique for getting rid of white hard water residue? Are your glasses completely clear and spotless?? I'd LOVE to hear your tips, share in a comment below!!!!

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House Upgrades You Didn't Know You Wanted

1/26/2021

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If you're buying a house or thinking of renovating yours, this post is for you! Some desirable items or functions in a home are obvious, maybe they're luxuries or even conveniences you currently live without and can't wait to have (this was me lusting after a washer and dryer after living the NYC apartment life for a decade!). Other things you desire might be an upgrade on your home decor, such as eyeing up neon signs from a website like NeonMama, or choosing some new house plants. There are other less well known but amazing upgrades and improvements out there that you may want to consider when buying a house, especially if you're planning to build or renovate. You may have never even heard of some of these things. For example, you might never have thought of the possibility of getting a custom pool building in your yard. Simply put, you don't know what you don't know, which is why I've put together this great list of must-haves for your dream home (compiled from lots of research on the web and many Facebook threads)! Did I miss any? Leave a comment below!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links included below - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

KITCHEN

Double wall ovens - great for cooking multiple items at once during holidays and when entertaining!
Pot Filler Faucet - no more lugging heavy pots from the sink to the stove!
Pantry Closet - more closets, everywhere, even the kitchen!
Slide-out trash bins in cabinets for garbage / recycling / compost - keeping these out of sight but easily accessible is great, but make sure they're hands free, if an open bin of compost might get stinky, maybe a bin that you can pull out with your foot and top will open with the wave of a hand. If you're handy, you can DIY pretty easily with something like this.
Counter-depth Refrigerator - these are very pricey but may be worth the splurge; not only do they look better not sticking out past the counters, they're also more practical since you don't have to dig to the way back.
Extra large range hood - great for removing smoke / odor.
Extra large (deep & wide) undermount sink - undermount sinks are flush with the counters making cleaning up very easy. Many warn against putting it in your island, however, since it can be unsightly having a massive amount of pots and dishes in there when entertaining.
Smudge-proof stainless steel appliances - do you like constantly wiping off fingerprints and streaks from your fridge, oven, and microwave? Yeah, me neither.
Soft-closing hinges on all cabinets and drawers - Nice and quiet. Nuff said! Feeling adventurous? Try installing these yourself!
Garbage disposal - I haven't had one in 20 years and not a day goes by I didn't wish I had one.
Under-cabinet lighting - looks nice and you can actually see what you're doing when cooking! You can DIY this very easily and cheaply; we "installed" these cordless LED strips in our last home. Stick the self-adhesive magnetic strips to the underside of your cabinets and the light strips latch on by magnet. Simply take down and charge by USB every few days, they even come with a remote!
Stunning lighting - especially over the island and dining table! Check out these beautiful options at Sofary!

WHOLE HOUSE SYSTEMS (heating, cooling, plumbing)

Radiant heat flooring - these can be a more ecologically and budget friendly way to heat your home, plus they feel SO nice on your feet!
Central air - cooling your home may be pricier with central air, but you can use smart thermostats and zones to keep costs down a bit. Plus, by keeping rooms from getting too hot or humid, you'll lessen risk of mold.
Central vac - this is a lesser known technology but allows you to plug a special vacuum into the wall and all debris get sucked down into a central tank rather than the vacuum's bag or bin. Personally, I prefer my cordless Dyson, but it can only go for 15 minutes at a time so you have to pick your poison...
Tankless water heater - in our house, we have a regular water heater and it runs out pretty quickly. We can't run the dishwasher right after someone takes a shower, and can't have simultaneous or even back to back showers (with 5 people in our family this is rough). A tankless water heater is at the top of our must-have list and with it, you'll never run out of hot water again!
Eggshell finish paint - easier to clean, a must with kids!
Recessed lighting - our last Brooklyn apartment had not a single ceiling light in the living room. We had to use floor lamps! FLOOR LAMPS!! Not recommended. We currently have recessed lighting everywhere and I'm obsessed!! A decorative piece (like these) in some rooms such as entry way and dining room are nice, as well. On dimmers, even better!
TONS of outlets - min 4 per room, some with USB (you can DIY with a plug-in surge protector / outlet extender like this that includes 5 regular plugs and 4 USB ports!)
Eco-Friendly Electricity - think solar paneling, or geothermal. Bonus if you can sell back reserves or bank them in your generator.
Wooden floors - carpet is harder to clean, and harbors all kinds of allergens lowering air quality.
Electric blinds - put them on a timer to help waking up easier, or simply shut and open with the click of a button. Consider cordless if little kids will be around. You can get them custom made and installed, or DIY with some on Amazon.

Sofary - Modern Lighting @ up to 80% off every day! Get luxury for less. Visit www.sofary.com + Shop Now! FREE SHIPPING!

BEDROOMS

Walk-in closet with built-in organization in main bedroom
Double the closet size in other bedrooms
Ceiling fans - can help cut down on heating and cooling usage

BATHROOMS

Bidet toilets - don't knock it til you've tried it, take it from someone who's lived in Japan where bidet toilet seats are standard in every home. Also, another toilet paper shortage? No problem!
Built in shower bench and shelving - just make sure they are designed to drain properly, we had some installed incorrectly and they held water.
Strong exhaust system - we lived in one NYC apartment with NO bathroom exhaust (just a small window) and no air conditioning. It was a mold magnet!
Heat lamp or floor - it's not fun freezing before or after a hot shower, or having to drag in a portable heater, am I right?
Recessed vanity mirror with storage - it looks like a flat mirror, but it opens to provide you all the great storage of a medicine cabinet. Fab!

LIVING ROOM & LAUNDRY

Fire place - so cozy, and can help cut down heating costs.
Laundry room on same floor as bedrooms - having to lug laundry up and down several flights of stairs to the basement isn't fun, and if this is your forever home, imagine doing it into your 80s and 90s...

ENTRY / GARAGE / ATTIC / BASEMENT

Mudroom - can help keep your house cleaner and tidier, and doesn't have to be an eyesore if you have proper storage. Many have it at the front entrance but personally I'd prefer by the back/garage entrance, you can even include a utility sink.
Finished basement - what's the point of a basement if you can't use it, am I right?! Whether it's a space for the kids to hangout, an office, a guest room, man cave, or a full mother-in-law suite, there's so much potential! Not to mention it'll add huge resale value, and be a safer spot should you find yourself under tornado warning.
Proper waterproofing of foundation / basement - up here in NY everyone talks about BDry basement and crawlspace waterproofing and encapsulation being a must-splurge, even comes with a lifetime warranty. They service as far west as Illinois, as far south as Georgia, and as far north as Maine.
Extra spray insulation, especially in attic - will drastically cut down on heat loss and cost.
Built-in attic stairs - or at least drop down stairs, so you can access the space more easily.
Video doorbell with 2-way voice - Ring, Arlo, SimpliSafe, Eufy - there are tons to choose from here. We installed the Ring video doorbell in our home a few months ago and love it, see my video installation/review here!

PATIO / OUTDOORS

Trex composite decking - no splinters. No sanding, fading, or painting. Trex is all the rage these days. It's eco-friendly too, made of 95% recycled compiste board.
Stone patio and fire pit - great for entertaining and hanging out on summer evenings!
Outdoor electric outlets - handy for holiday lights!

So, yeah, just a FEW must-haves on our home shopping list! HA! Have you renovated your home to include any of the above? Love them, hate them? Are there any great home features you love and recommend that I left off? Share in a comment below!!

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Valentine's Gifts for a Healthier Heart

1/21/2021

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Valentine's Day is coming up and we're overwhelmed with gift guides promoting jewelry and flowers and all kinds of goodies to woo a loved one. Don't worry, this is not another one of those. What I've got instead is a Valentine's Gift Guide for yourself! Here are some great ideas for promoting self-care and a healthier heart!!

US Japan Fam's Heart-Healthy Self-Care Valentine's Gift Guide

**Disclaimer: unless noted, I have not personally tried the items below and hold no liability as to their quality. They're just items I found while searching and think they look great (and might buy myself!!). Make sure to discuss starting an exercise regime with your doctor. Also, links below are affiliate links, meaning you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking. It's how we bloggers make money yo! Thank you!!

IN HOME EXERCISE EQUIPMENT:
Instead of heart-shaped candies (a minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips), how about upping your fitness game!? We're nearly a year into the pandemic, being "safe at home" and all that, so if you haven't gotten some exercise equipment for staying fit and healthy at home, now is the time!! Don't worry, there's something for every budget, whether you're doing free aerobics videos on YouTube, jumping rope in the driveway, or investing a few grand into a professional machine and subscription to live classes with peppy instructors.