- Totally with you on the chemical smell—some of those “fresh lemon” scents are just brutal and linger for days.
- I’ve tried a couple of those plant-based sprays (the ones with the green labels and leaves on the bottle). They’re fine for light cleaning, but honestly, I can’t tell much difference from my own vinegar mix.
- One thing I noticed: some of the store-bought “natural” ones leave streaks on my old fridge, which is annoying.
- My house is from the 1920s, so I’m always a bit paranoid about what goes on the original fixtures. I usually stick to basics unless something’s really stubborn.
- Marketing definitely plays a part... the packaging makes them look safer, but I’m not convinced they’re much different from the DIY stuff.
I hear you on the “natural” store-bought stuff leaving streaks. I’ve had the same issue on my 50s-era stove—tried one of those eco sprays and it just made a smeary mess. Honestly, I keep coming back to a simple vinegar-water mix for most things. Sometimes I’ll add a drop of dish soap if there’s grease. Have you ever noticed some of those green-label cleaners actually smell weirder than the chemical ones? Or is that just me…
Have you ever noticed some of those green-label cleaners actually smell weirder than the chemical ones? Or is that just me…
Not just you. Some of those “natural” scents are oddly strong or just... off, especially the citrus ones. For my old fridge, I tried a plant-based spray and it left this weird sweet-herb smell that lingered for days. Here’s what’s worked best for me step-by-step:
1. Wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth first—gets rid of loose stuff.
2. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz on, and let it sit for a minute.
3. For greasy spots, I’ll add a tiny bit of dish soap to the mix (just a drop).
4. Rinse with another clean cloth and plain water to avoid streaks.
I’ve found this leaves things clean without that “fake natural” scent. If you’re worried about vinegar smell, it fades pretty quick once it dries.
Definitely not just you. I’ve had the same experience—sometimes those “natural” cleaners leave a scent that’s just as strong, if not weirder, than the regular stuff. The vinegar and water trick works well for me too, though I’ll admit, my old farmhouse fridge still ends up smelling like pickles for a bit. Like you said,
That’s been true in my case. Honestly, I’d rather have a bit of vinegar than that fake citrus any day.If you’re worried about vinegar smell, it fades pretty quick once it dries.
I’ve had the same experience—sometimes those “natural” cleaners leave a scent that’s just as strong, if not weirder, than the regular stuff. The vinegar and water trick works well for me ...
I get the appeal of vinegar, but I’ve run into issues with it on some appliance seals—seems like it can dry out rubber over time. Anyone else notice that? Sometimes I’ll just use hot water and a bit of baking soda instead. That “fake citrus” smell is rough, but I’m not sure pickles are much better...
