I’ve wondered about that too, honestly. My kitchen’s got some old stainless that I try to baby, and vinegar always feels a bit harsh. Haven’t seen obvious damage yet, but I do notice streaks sometimes. Has anyone tried those homemade olive oil rubs for shine? Curious if they actually protect or just make things greasy…
Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
Man, I feel you on this. Stainless always seems like it should be bulletproof, but then you get those weird streaks and suddenly it looks like a crime scene for fingerprints. I've tried the olive oil trick—someone told me it was the “secret” to shiny appliances. In my experience, it does make things look slick, but if you go heavy-handed, you’ll end up with a fridge that doubles as a slip-n-slide for dust and dog hair.
Honestly, I stick to a tiny dab on a microfiber cloth, buff it in, and then wipe again with a clean part of the cloth. It’s not magic, but it does cut down on the streaks without making everything greasy. Vinegar always makes me nervous too... I’ve seen what it does to grout, so I’m not risking my appliances.
If you figure out the perfect combo that doesn’t involve buying some $15 miracle spray, let me know. Until then, I’ll just keep pretending my fridge has “character.”
Until then, I’ll just keep pretending my fridge has “character.”
Honestly, “character” is the best way to describe mine too. I’ve tried a bunch of those homemade hacks and always end up with some new kind of smudge. You’re not alone—stainless is way more high-maintenance than it has any right to be.
I hear you on the smudges—vinegar and water always seem promising, but then I get streaks or weird spots. Sometimes I’ll use a dab of olive oil after cleaning, which helps a bit, but it’s not foolproof. Maybe it’s just the price we pay for trying to avoid harsh chemicals?
Maybe it’s just the price we pay for trying to avoid harsh chemicals?
Funny you mention that—last weekend I spent half an hour buffing my fridge with vinegar and water, only to end up with streaks that looked worse than before. Tried the olive oil trick too, but then my toddler left handprints everywhere. Sometimes I wonder if the store-bought stuff is worth it just for the sanity... but then I remember the smell and go back to my DIY ways. It’s a vicious cycle.
