Housekeeping

Parchment and wax paper are sold right next to each other on the grocery store shelf. The packaging is often so similar, you might mistaken one for the other. While both of these papers are used in food preparation and food storage, they have very different uses. 

Mobile homes are vulnerable to cold weather. Have you ever wondered why bridges have signs that read “may be icy”? The reason, unlike a road on the ground, is that cold air is traveling above and below the bridge.

Dryer sheets and dryer balls are very different, yet achieve some of the same results. Primarily, they both help reduce static cling in your clothes while in the dryer. While there are other similarities between the two, there are also many differences. Since these two dryer tools sometimes achieve different results, you may wonder if it’s better to use dryer sheets or dryer balls for your laundry.

It is quite rewarding to look at your fish tank, especially when the fish are healthy. The only downside of having a fish tank is that it requires lots of maintenance. Changing the water isn't fun, but it's necessary. So, how often should you change the water in a fish tank?

Grout is a fantastic mortar used for tiling. The downside? It can be frustrating to remove! Are you remodeling your shower? Maybe you’re merely replacing stained grout. Either way, one thing is for sure: You’re met with the task of pulling up hardened grout. How do you soften it to make things easier?

Everybody’s least favorite part of a home-cooked meal is the cleanup. Doing the dishes can be a huge chore, but that’s where your dishwasher comes in! These miraculous machines can make quick work of big messes.

On UpgradedHome, we talk about a *lot* of home improvement projects and tools. One of the better tools to have on hand is Flex tape. It can tape things up while locking water out, making it an ideal pick for people who have stubborn faucets or need to tape up a vent that just won’t stay put. Flex tape is so popular, it’s pretty easy to find. But, where do you go for this quality fixer-upper fave?

Gas fireplaces are a dream addition to homes for American homeowners because there is a certain charm to them. And to top it off, they are gas efficient, affordable, and look good in any setting.

Cast iron skillets are wonderful for many different types of cooking. Whether you are making cornbread, a steak, or even a simple breakfast. They add flavor and create an effect, unlike any other cooking item.

You’ve finished installing your new set of tiles. and applied your grout. Now comes the question. How long should I wait before I can use the room with the newly grouted tile? How long does it take for grout to dry?

Mold is bad enough when you find it in one contained area, like a bathroom or kitchen. However, it can quickly turn into an expensive and dangerous problem when it spreads. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to tell if mold has spread.

Buying appliances is expensive When it comes to large appliances like refrigerators and stoves, you are typically going to be spending more than a thousand dollars. So, you want to make sure you are getting your money’s worth when you do have to get something like that.

While ironing might not be everyone’s favorite chore, it’s sometimes part of the laundry process. Maintaining your ironing board and washing your ironing board cover are essential to keep your clothes from getting dirty all over again.

A sump pump relocates water from a basement away from the home. According to Oxford’s Dictionary, a sump is a pit in which liquid collects on the floor of a basement. This pit, more commonly referred to as a basin, is where the sump pump is stored.

There’s no way around it: cat litter will always smell bad. However, you don’t have to let that smell permeate your home, especially when there are several easy ways to help get rid of the litter box smell in your house.

There’s no substitute for a real Christmas tree. While artificial trees have come a long way, and they certainly have their benefits, there’s nothing quite like a fragrant evergreen displayed in the living room throughout the holidays. Once the festive season is over, getting rid of a dying tree in your home can be a messy headache if you don’t know how to dispose of it properly.

One reason people get maggots is because they empty their trash infrequently. Sure, fewer trips to the dumpster means using fewer plastic bags. This is often smart logic. If, however, you live in a warm climate, and have an open-air kitchen, then this may also mean you have a breeding ground for maggots.

Plumbing venting is extremely important as it removes sewage from your home. The sewer gases are directed out of the house by plumbing vents which improves the air quality inside. However, many builder-owners and homeowners wonder if plumbing vents absolutely need to go through the roof.

Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. It’s easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a homeowner, such as smart plugs. So, do smart plugs save energy?

Have the lights in your home ever flickered out? The fear of a power outage is real. However, a solar generator can put your mind at ease. They are quiet, efficient, and portable. Whether you reside in the country or city, solar generators are a useful tool. It may seem like solar generators are super high tech – while they are cool, a portable solar generator can be built by any motivated person. 

This is a common misconception that we want to clear up straight away. Dryvit is actually the brand name for a specific EIFS manufacturer – not a type of siding itself. For clarity, throughout this article, Dryvit and EIFS will be used interchangeably to match the common parlance.

So, you had mice, but you got rid of them. And maybe you got a cat to help keep them away. But what about that horrid smell that is left behind? The strong scent of urine in the carpet and wood floors just will not go away.

Sliding mirror doors are extremely popular options for bedroom closets. They don’t require the clearance to open that traditional doors do. Also, mirror doors are a functional, attractive way to improve a wardrobe area without taking up wall space.

As an avid bargain hunter, I love Costco. I’ve used Costco as a go-to to get my favorite bulk items, and also as a place to find cheap deals on things like shampoo. As most people know, Costco has an appliance center that makes it popular with bargain-hunters. But, is it a really good place to buy appliances?

For baking enthusiasts, convection ovens are a very popular oven choice. They offer the opportunity to bake multiple items at once in a reasonably short time. At one point or another, you may find yourself wondering: “Can you use aluminum foil in a convection oven?”

Architecturally, glass blocks are very similar to conventional brick materials. Both bricks and glass blocks are used in the same way although, glass blocks can be used in some situations where bricks cannot.

Leather is a durable and classic material that has been used to make couches for decades. Just like any other material, it will wear over time and can even crack and fade. This usually happens due to environmental issues like excessive sunlight or dust. 

It doesn’t matter if you are working on a home improvement project or in the middle of a plumbing emergency. When the shut-off valve isn’t working the way that it is supposed to work, it can be a real pain to the rear end. So what do you do if the water won’t shut off with the under sink shut off valve? What causes this?

For amateur craftsmen, building a new structure can be an interesting challenge. There is the need to build the physical space, sure, but the bigger challenge becomes getting power to that new structure with a sub panel located a good distance away.

Dust mites are microscopic insect-like pests that are related to ticks. They feed off dust, and mostly live off dead skin cells. Since their diet of choice is dead skin, they are most commonly found where you spend the most time, like your bed and couch. 

Handrails quickly rank as one of the most critical pieces in home remodeling. Decorative values aside, handrails are essential to building a safe environment for everyone living in the house.

A brick wall is usually known for its structural integrity. If you’ve noticed one of your brick walls has shifted, this can be a cause for concern. It is vital to fix the brick wall as soon as possible. Except, how exactly do you do that?

Insulated fiberglass exterior doors are notoriously durable and long-lasting. Similar to steel, fiberglass is more energy-efficient and secure than conventional wood constructions. In addition to their strength, they also require little to no maintenance.

As much as we all love our pets, we know that they can take a toll on any house or apartment they live in. Between biting, scratching, and shedding hair, they always make their presence known. That’s why you must learn how to clean pet damage before moving to avoid problems later.

Whether you’re an avid antique collector or the owner of a family heirloom, it’s exciting discovering what your treasures are worth. Of course, if a piece holds a lot of sentimental value, it might be priceless. However, emotional value and monetary value are two different things. 

When you get a new hoverboard, the first thing you want to do is hop on and get to riding. Self-balancing hoverboards are a fun and exhilarating way to get around, it’s no wonder they’re so popular.

Double-sided tape is a tool used around the home for both repair and modification. It’s incredibly versatile and can prove helpful in a wide variety of situations.

It is ideal to know exactly what you’re doing when you buy or fill a propane tank. That is especially true for a large, 100-pound propane tank which is quite useful but can be tricky to understand. So, how many gallons are in a 100-pound propane tank?

In the world of construction, whether concrete, brick, or steel, the SDS rotary hammer drill is one of the highest-caliber drills on the market.  Because of the design, however, the drill requires unique drill bits to accomplish the job.

Kittens are loving, adorable, and tiny, but they can make big messes. While they quickly adapt to litter boxes, you may have to clean a few messes before then. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to litter train a kitten.

Leaks are a homeowner’s worst fear. They can cause massive damage to both your home and the property inside of it. Because of this, it’s crucial to find and fix the leaks in your home as quickly as possible.

Shag rugs have a look and feel to them that is different from any other style of rug. They are thick, luxurious, and may never go out of style. We’ve put together this guide, on the best methods to clean a shag rug.

If you’re going camping, you probably have a lot of equipment that you need to stock up on. One of the more important ones is butane. Butane is one of the most common cooking fuels used in camping, as well as a good fuel for specialty lighters. The hard part, of course, is finding a place that sells butane. Where do you even get this stuff?

When you’re laying out a nice, new layer of porcelain tile, there are certain things you expect. For example, you expect your tiling to stay put. The problem is, using the wrong bonding agent can make it hard to keep your tiles in place. That’s why there’s an ongoing debate between using Versabond versus using Flexbond thinset mortars when you’re laying out tiling. So, what’s the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

 Many homeowners have asked themselves at one point or another: “Can I build a wall myself?” People consider it for many reasons – whether they are renovating a new home, preparing to sell, or trying to create more space for their growing family.

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Whether you already have latex paint on the walls, or you need to paint over latex for another reason, you might be wondering if it is possible to cover them. Typically oil-based paint is a great option to choose for painting, but if you have latex down already, then it is not really a great decision.

Basmati is one of the most popular and distinct grains of rice on the planet. This rice is easy to distinguish from other varieties when it’s cooked due to its signature long grain. It expands lengthwise significantly when cooked, making it one of the longest-grain rices on the planet.

Your oven is essential for everything from an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner to a simple frozen pizza. You can bake cookies or broil vegetables with relative ease as long as your oven is functioning properly. In order to ensure your oven cooks consistently and evenly, you need to make sure it is clean and free of burnt debris. But exactly how do you know when it is time to deep-clean your oven?

As one of the best fall treats around, pumpkin pie is a delicious and delightful treat. Saving pumpkin pie after it is made doesn’t have to be difficult, and many people can preserve their pie for weeks on end.

While they may be cute to some, rats can be a real pesky problem. When they’ve gained access to your home or have settled in your backyard, it can be challenging to get rid of them. Whether you’ve got one rat or a whole infestation, it is vital to quickly and carefully deal with the issue.

Having a sprinkler system for your yard can be a beneficial thing. Keeping your garden and landscaping looking lush and healthy is a difficult job and a sprinkler can ease the burden. It can be especially helpful for larger properties.

If you have some old rice in your home, you may wonder if it has gone bad. There is no simple yes or no answer to this broad question, as different types of rice have different expiration dates. White rice is the most popular type of rice and can last many years if properly stored.

Fireplaces are a great centerpiece, that adds ambiance, and warmth, to any room. Since the fireplace is a focal point, you should try to keep the fireplace glass, as clean as possible. We have an unusual method for cleaning it, which makes it easy!

A washer and dryer combo is an essential in any homes. Stacking a washer and dryer takes up less space than having them side by side, and it is quite common.

Natural light might be a desired quality inside your home, but it’s the last thing you want to expose your unopened wine to. UV light can break down wine quickly, diminishing the flavors even spoil the wine prematurely when it’s stored anywhere bright. Wine kept in the dark retains the most flavors and lasts the longest.

Interestingly, the first ceiling fans were made from palm leaves hung on the ceiling. Electric ceiling fans have been around since 1882. Philip Diehl used a sewing machine motor to power a fan he attached to the ceiling.

Your water heater is an essential part of your home. It is responsible for heating all your water, from sinks to showers to the washing machine. 

It’s no secret that garage floors get dirty quite quickly. Dirt, dust, rust, debris, oil, and grease stains are common in any garage, and they can be tough to get rid of. Many homeowners understandably struggle with how to clean a garage floor.

Most snow is tracked into the home from your shoes. Therefore, the best way to prevent it from reaching far into your home is to stop it where it enters. Most homes have doormats outside. In the winter, it’s wise to have mats on the inside of your home as well.