Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
- Been there with the vinegar and baking soda routine. I’m all for saving money and not having to open every window in the house, but yeah, that “salad bar” smell lingers way longer than I’d like.
- What’s worked for me: I run a hot rinse after the vinegar/baking soda cycle, sometimes even toss in a lemon slice. Cuts down on the weird tangy smell, and it’s still way cheaper than those fancy dishwasher tabs.
- I’ve noticed it doesn’t always get rid of the gunk around the seals, though. For that, I’ll use an old toothbrush and just a drop of dish soap. Not exactly “all natural,” but it’s not like I’m dousing the thing in bleach either.
- Store-bought cleaners do work faster—no denying that. But I always feel like I’m paying for the label and the headache from the fumes. Plus, I hate having to keep track of which ones are “safe” for stainless steel or whatever.
- Honestly, if you’ve got time and patience, the natural stuff does the job. If you’re in a rush or dealing with something really gross, sometimes it’s worth grabbing the heavy-duty stuff just for peace of mind.
I guess it comes down to what you’re willing to put up with—smelling like a vinaigrette for a day, or risking a chemical cloud. For me, as long as it’s cheap and doesn’t make my eyes water, I’ll stick with the basics... but I won’t pretend it’s perfect.
Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
Totally get what you mean about the “salad bar” smell—vinegar can really linger, especially in smaller kitchens. I’ve had a few flips where the previous owners went heavy on chemical cleaners, and it took forever to get rid of that fake lemon scent. I’m with you on using a toothbrush for the seals; sometimes you just need a little elbow grease. Curious if anyone’s tried those enzyme-based cleaners? They’re supposed to be more natural but still pack a punch. Wondering if they’re worth the hype or just another marketing thing...
Enzyme cleaners are kind of a mixed bag for me. I tried one on my washing machine’s gasket because nothing else was really cutting through the weird musty smell, and it actually worked better than I expected. Didn’t have that heavy perfume vibe either, which was a win. But when I used the same stuff on my fridge seals, it didn’t do much—maybe just not grimy enough to need enzymes? I feel like they’re great for certain jobs but not a universal fix. Still beats the chemical fog from some store-bought sprays, though...
Natural Cleaners Can Be Hit or Miss
I totally get where you’re coming from. Enzyme cleaners can feel like magic on some things and just... meh on others. I’ve had a similar experience with my dishwasher—those enzymes worked wonders on the rubber seal, but when I tried them on my oven door (hoping for a miracle), it barely made a dent. I guess it’s all about matching the cleaner to the grime.
Honestly, I’ll take that over the headache-inducing scent of most store-bought sprays any day. There’s something about that “clean” smell that just feels fake to me. Plus, I always worry about what’s lingering in the air after using those harsh chemicals, especially in small spaces like laundry rooms or kitchens.
It’s a bit of trial and error, but I’d rather experiment with natural stuff than go back to the chemical fog. Sometimes it’s just about finding the right tool for the job, even if it means having a few different bottles under the sink.
It’s a bit of trial and error, but I’d rather experiment with natural stuff than go back to the chemical fog.
I get that, but sometimes I do wonder if the “chemical fog” is just more efficient, especially for baked-on grease. Like, I tried a vinegar/baking soda paste on my oven racks—took forever and still left spots. Ended up using a commercial degreaser in the end. I like natural for maintenance, but for heavy-duty cleaning, I haven’t found anything that really matches the store-bought stuff. Maybe it’s just about using the right thing for each situation, like you said.
