I've used vinegar and lemon juice quite a bit on stainless steel, and here's what I've noticed:
- Vinegar works great for quick clean-ups, especially fingerprints or water spots. But if you leave it sitting too long or don't rinse thoroughly, it can dull the finish slightly over time. Not dramatically, but enough to notice if you're picky about shine.
- Lemon juice is even more acidic, so I'd be cautious there. I once left a lemon-water mix on my fridge handle (stainless steel) for maybe 10-15 mins while distracted by something else... came back and saw faint discoloration marks. Took some elbow grease and baking soda paste to buff it out.
- On the flip side, I've never had issues with diluted vinegar sprays if I wipe them off quickly. Just don't let them sit around too long.
- Also depends on the quality of your stainless steel finish. Cheaper appliances seem more sensitive to acids, while higher-end ones hold up better.
- If you're worried about acidity, baking soda paste is a safer bet. It's mildly abrasive but gentle enough not to scratch stainless steel surfaces—plus, no weird chemical reactions to worry about.
Honestly, it's mostly trial and error. I still prefer natural cleaners overall, but I've learned to be careful with acidic stuff around metal finishes.
I've noticed the same thing with lemon juice—learned it the hard way on my dishwasher door. Baking soda paste definitely feels safer overall.
"Also depends on the quality of your stainless steel finish."
Speaking of finishes, anyone tried olive oil to polish stainless steel? Curious if it actually works or just leaves things greasy...
I've tried olive oil a couple times—it does give a nice shine initially, but honestly, it attracts dust and fingerprints pretty quickly. Buffing with a microfiber cloth afterward helps a bit, but still feels kinda greasy... baking soda paste is def safer overall.
"I've tried olive oil a couple times—it does give a nice shine initially, but honestly, it attracts dust and fingerprints pretty quickly."
Yeah, olive oil can be tricky. I remember one client who swore by it for stainless steel appliances—she insisted it was the best natural polish out there. But when we came back a week later to finish up some trim work, her fridge looked like a fingerprint magnet. She was pretty frustrated because she'd just cleaned it again that morning.
Personally, I've found baking soda paste to be safer and more effective overall, especially if you're dealing with stubborn grime or stains. But even then, you gotta rinse thoroughly or you'll end up with a chalky residue. Another thing I've seen work surprisingly well is diluted white vinegar—just spray it on, wipe down with a microfiber cloth, and you're good. It doesn't leave that greasy film behind like oils do.
Honestly though, sometimes store-bought cleaners have their place. I know natural is better for the environment and all, but certain commercial stainless steel sprays are formulated specifically to repel fingerprints and dust. They save time and hassle in the long run, especially if you're busy or have kids constantly touching everything.
Bottom line: natural cleaners are great for everyday maintenance, but if you're looking for less frequent cleaning and fewer headaches, sometimes the store-bought stuff is worth considering.
I've had similar issues with olive oil—it looks great at first, but the shine never lasts. I tried coconut oil once too, thinking it'd be better... nope, same fingerprint mess. Honestly, diluted vinegar has been my go-to lately. But I'm curious about the baking soda paste—doesn't it scratch stainless steel surfaces? I'd worry about leaving tiny marks behind, especially on older appliances like mine.
