I've actually had citric acid mess with rubber seals a couple times. Nothing catastrophic, but I did notice the seals getting a bit brittle and cracking sooner than expected. Maybe it's more about concentration and exposure time? Anyway, now I mostly stick to diluted white vinegar for anything with rubber parts. Seems gentler overall, and haven't had issues since switching...just my two cents from trial and error.
Yeah, I've seen vinegar working pretty well overall too. Had a client who went heavy on lemon juice once and it definitely dried out the seals quicker—nothing extreme, but noticeable. Dilution seems key, like you mentioned...lesson learned the citrusy way, I guess.
Yeah, vinegar's been my go-to for a while now too. Had a similar experience with lemon juice—thought I'd found the perfect natural cleaner until I noticed the rubber seals on my fridge door looking kinda sad and dried out. Nothing disastrous, but enough to make me rethink things. Dilution definitely helps, but I've also found that alternating between natural cleaners and mild store-bought stuff every now and then seems to keep everything balanced. Guess it's all about finding that sweet spot between effectiveness and gentleness. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's learned the hard way with citrus experiments, haha...
I've had similar experiences with citrus-based cleaners, especially when working on kitchen remodels. They're great for cutting grease and grime naturally, but yeah...they can be surprisingly harsh on rubber seals and certain finishes over time. I usually recommend clients rotate between natural solutions (like diluted vinegar) and gentle commercial products specifically formulated for appliances. Keeps things fresh without sacrificing durability. A little trial and error, but worth it to preserve the lifespan of your appliances.
Totally agree about citrus cleaners—love the fresh scent, but learned the hard way they're not always appliance-friendly. I've found diluted vinegar works wonders too, especially on stainless steel surfaces. But for rubber seals and delicate finishes, I usually stick to mild dish soap and warm water. Simple, gentle, and hasn't let me down yet. Plus, rotating cleaners keeps things interesting...and my kitchen smelling nice without wrecking anything expensive.
