"At first, I was skeptical—thought it'd leave a weird smell—but surprisingly, it didn't linger at all."
That's exactly how I felt the first time I tried vinegar and baking soda. Glad you gave it a chance, it really does wonders and saves money in the long run. Coconut oil is pretty amazing too—especially on stainless steel appliances, gives them a sleek finish and helps prevent fingerprints. Worth trying if you're looking for an easy, natural polish...
I had the same hesitation about vinegar and baking soda, especially since most of my jobs involve clients who are pretty particular about smells and finishes. A few years ago, a homeowner insisted we try natural cleaning methods after a kitchen remodel. I was skeptical—thought it might leave residue or streaks on the stainless steel range hood and fridge panels—but went along with it anyway.
Surprisingly, the vinegar-baking soda combo worked great, no lingering odors, and it actually cut through the fingerprints and grime better than some commercial cleaners I've used. Since then, I've recommended it to other clients who prefer natural products. I do find that the key is in the mixture ratio and application method. Too much baking soda can leave a gritty residue, and vinegar alone can streak if you're not careful. I usually suggest mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, lightly misting the surface, then gently scrubbing with a soft cloth dipped in a bit of baking soda paste (just baking soda mixed with a little water until it's smooth). After scrubbing, wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth and dry immediately with another clean cloth. That way, you get a spotless finish without any residue or streaks.
As for coconut oil, I've heard good things but haven't tried it myself yet—mostly because I worry about oil buildup attracting dust over time. But if it's working well for you guys, maybe I'll give it a shot on my next stainless steel job...
Yeah, vinegar and baking soda surprised me too. I used to swear by commercial stainless steel sprays, but honestly, the natural stuff gets the job done without that weird chemical smell. Coconut oil though...tried it once, looked great at first but got dusty pretty quick.
Yeah, vinegar and baking soda combo is solid, especially for stainless steel. Commercial sprays sometimes leave behind residues that attract fingerprints quicker, I've noticed. Coconut oil...yeah, looks sleek initially but tends to be a dust magnet. For me, a quick microfiber wipe-down after vinegar cleaning usually does the trick—keeps surfaces looking clean longer without buildup.
I've been curious about coconut oil too, but honestly, the dust thing is real. Tried it once on my fridge and it looked amazing...for about half a day. Then every speck of dust in the neighborhood decided to visit, lol. Vinegar and baking soda are pretty reliable, but does anyone else find the vinegar smell lingering a bit much? I've started adding a few drops of lemon essential oil—it helps cut the odor and leaves things smelling fresh without that fake chemical scent.
