Yeah, baking soda can definitely leave that gritty feel sometimes, especially if it's not fully dissolved or rinsed off. Maybe try mixing it into a paste with a bit more water and giving it an extra rinse afterward? I've found that helps. But honestly, lemon and salt is my go-to as well—works wonders without the hassle of residue. Glad it worked for your rust spots though... satisfying when simple tricks do the job.
I've had mixed results with lemon and salt myself—works great on rust, but sometimes leaves stainless steel looking a bit dull afterward. Maybe I'm just not rinsing thoroughly enough though.
A couple things I've noticed:
- Vinegar diluted with water is pretty reliable for general appliance cleaning. Cheap too.
- Store-bought cleaners do seem quicker sometimes, but the fumes and cost aren't worth it for me.
- Baking soda paste is good, but yeah, gritty residue can be annoying if you're in a hurry.
Curious if anyone's tried vinegar with essential oils or something similar to cut down on the smell? Vinegar works well, but that sharp scent lingers longer than I'd like...
Totally with you on the vinegar smell lingering...I've started adding a bit of lavender or eucalyptus oil to mine—helps a ton. Also noticed microfiber cloths make stainless steel shine better without streaks than regular towels, no idea why though.
"Also noticed microfiber cloths make stainless steel shine better without streaks than regular towels, no idea why though."
Microfiber cloths have tiny fibers that trap dirt and moisture better, so they leave fewer streaks behind. Adding essential oils is a smart move—definitely helps tone down vinegar's intensity...nice tip!
Microfiber cloths are legit. Switched over a while back and haven't looked at regular towels since. Vinegar's good, but honestly, sometimes I just grab whatever's handy...even dish soap diluted in water works fine for quick touch-ups. Essential oils sound fancy though, might give that a shot next time the vinegar smell starts reminding me of salad dressing.
