"Peroxide can be a bit harsh if used frequently—seen it dull finishes myself after a while."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself... oops. I've switched mostly to diluted vinegar for regular wipe-downs, and occasionally lemon juice for stubborn spots. Keeps things fresh without wearing down surfaces. Plus, smells way better than store-bought stuff!
I tried vinegar too, but honestly couldn't stand the smell lingering around afterward. Maybe I was mixing it too strong? Anyway, I've been using baking soda paste lately—just a bit of water mixed in until it's like toothpaste consistency. Rub it gently on tough spots, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe clean. Works surprisingly well, and no weird smells hanging around afterward. Plus, it's super cheap, which is always a bonus when you're watching your budget.
Baking soda paste is great, but have you tried adding a squeeze of lemon juice to it? I do that sometimes—cuts through grease even better, and leaves a fresh scent behind. Vinegar smell bugs me too, especially in the kitchen... last thing I want is my dinner smelling like pickles, lol. Lemon and baking soda combo has been my go-to lately, cheap and eco-friendly.
I've been experimenting with natural cleaners lately since we're renovating our kitchen, and honestly, the lemon juice and baking soda tip is pretty solid. Vinegar does get the job done, but yeah... the smell isn't exactly appetizing when you're about to cook dinner. Lemon juice definitely leaves a nicer scent behind, and it seems gentler on surfaces too.
One thing I've noticed though—if you're dealing with tougher grease or grime (like the stuff I found behind my oven when we moved it out—yikes), sometimes even lemon and baking soda need a bit of extra elbow grease. I ended up making a thicker paste and letting it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing. Worked wonders, but patience is key.
I will say, though, that while natural cleaners are great for regular maintenance and lighter messes, sometimes store-bought cleaners can be more practical for really stubborn stains or baked-on grease. We had a range hood filter that was seriously grimy, and after two rounds of lemon-baking soda paste, I caved and bought a degreaser spray. It wasn't my first choice, but it saved me a lot of scrubbing time.
Still, for everyday cleaning, I'm sticking with the lemon and baking soda combo. It's cheaper, eco-friendly, and doesn't leave me coughing from chemical fumes. Plus, there's something satisfying about mixing your own cleaner—feels like a mini science experiment in the kitchen, haha.
I've found the same thing with lemon juice and baking soda—pretty solid combo for everyday cleaning. But yeah, tougher grease is definitely where homemade solutions hit their limits. Last month, I tackled the inside of our oven door (you know, that baked-on brown film that's practically fossilized?). Lemon-baking soda paste barely made a dent, even after letting it sit overnight.
Ended up using a store-bought oven cleaner spray. Not exactly my favorite choice either, but it cut through the grime in like 10 minutes flat. I figure occasional store-bought products aren't too bad if they save me hours of scrubbing and frustration... plus, my wrists thanked me later.
Still, for daily wipe-downs and lighter messes, I'll stick with homemade solutions. Can't beat the cost, and none of that lingering chemical smell. I also recently tried adding a few drops of essential oil (like orange or lavender) to my lemon-baking soda mix—it helped mask that vinegar scent when I did need a stronger kick.
