Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
I’ve tried the olive oil trick too, and honestly, it’s wild how well it works for fingerprints and those weird streaks you get after cleaning. I used to just grab whatever “stainless steel spray” was on sale, but half the time it left things looking worse—like, shiny but with that cloudy haze you mentioned. Not worth the money.
I’m all about using what’s already in the pantry, so I started mixing up my own stuff. Vinegar and water for most things, but on stainless, vinegar sometimes makes it look dull? That’s where the olive oil comes in. I just use a tiny bit, otherwise it gets greasy fast. Learned that the hard way when my fridge turned into a fingerprint magnet for a week straight.
Bar Keepers Friend is a staple in my house too, especially for the sink and those stubborn spots on the stove. But for everyday cleaning, I’d rather not buy a bunch of specialty products. The only thing I’ll say is, sometimes the “natural” sprays just don’t cut it if you’re dealing with old grime or sticky stuff. I’ll use them for maintenance, but if I’m cleaning up after a big cooking day or something, I still reach for the heavy-duty stuff.
One thing I do differently: I use old t-shirts instead of microfiber cloths. They work fine and I don’t have to worry about washing special cloths separately. Maybe not as fancy, but it gets the job done.
Anyway, I’m all for saving a few bucks and not filling the cabinet with a dozen bottles. If I can clean the kitchen with what’s already in the house, that’s a win in my book.
The only thing I’ll say is, sometimes the “natural” sprays just don’t cut it if you’re dealing with old grime or sticky stuff. I’ll use them for maintenance, but if I’m cleaning up after a big cooking day or something, I still reach for the heavy-duty stuff.
That’s exactly where I get stuck too. I’ve been in a lot of kitchens over the years, and honestly, nothing beats elbow grease and a little Bar Keepers Friend for those gnarly stove grates or when someone lets sauce boil over and it’s basically baked on for eternity. The natural stuff is great for day-to-day, but there are times when you need something with a bit more bite.
Funny story—one time I was helping a buddy redo his kitchen, and he swore by this homemade lemon-baking soda paste for everything. It smelled great, but when we tried to tackle the gunk behind his oven (which hadn’t seen daylight since the Bush administration), that paste didn’t even make a dent. We ended up breaking out the heavy-duty degreaser after all.
I’m curious if anyone’s found a good middle ground? Like, something that isn’t full-on chemical warfare but still packs enough punch for those “oh wow, how did this get so gross” moments. Or maybe there’s some trick with natural cleaners I haven’t tried yet... I’ve heard people talk about using steam cleaners on appliances—never actually tried one myself though.
Also, about the old t-shirts—totally with you there. I’ve got a drawer full of cut-up shirts from jobsites that are perfect for wiping down appliances. Microfiber is nice and all, but I always lose them in the laundry anyway.
Has anyone had luck with natural cleaners on things like oven doors or range hoods? That’s one spot where I always end up caving and using something stronger.
Steam cleaners are actually a game changer for baked-on gunk, at least in my experience. I was super skeptical, but after a marathon kitchen reno last year, I borrowed one from a neighbor to tackle the oven door and range hood. Didn’t expect much, but it loosened up the grime way better than any vinegar or baking soda combo I’ve tried. Still needed a bit of scrubbing with an old tee, but it felt way less toxic than the usual chemical stuff. Not perfect, but definitely a solid middle ground for those “how did this get so gross” moments.
Honestly, I get the steam cleaner hype, but I’ve found it’s not always practical for every appliance. Sometimes a good old-fashioned degreaser (even store-bought) just works faster, especially on heavy buildup. Steam can be great, but it’s not always a time saver.
Honestly, I’m with you on this. I tried steam-cleaning my old oven once, thinking it’d be a game changer… but after an hour and a half of sweating and wrestling with attachments, I just grabbed the degreaser and finished the job in ten minutes. Sometimes you just need something that cuts through the grime, no shame in that. Steam’s great for maintenance, but for heavy-duty stuff? I’ll stick to what works, even if it comes from a bottle.
