I've tried the citrus peel trick too, and it does help tone down the vinegar smell a bit. But honestly, after a while, I just got used to the vinegar scent—it fades pretty fast anyway. Plus, knowing I'm not spraying chemicals all over my kitchen counters makes it worth the initial strong smell. Good on you for giving natural cleaners a shot... they're underrated imo.
I've been using vinegar cleaners for a while now too, and honestly, the smell doesn't bother me much anymore either. One thing I haven't figured out yet though is a good natural cleaner for stainless steel appliances—anyone had luck with that?
I've had pretty good luck with olive oil for stainless steel appliances. Sounds weird, I know... but hear me out. First, give it a quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth to get rid of any grime. Then, put just a tiny bit of olive oil on a clean cloth (seriously, a little goes a long way) and polish in the direction of the grain. Buff it gently afterward with another dry cloth. Leaves a nice shine without any harsh chemicals. Might feel odd at first, but it really works.
Interesting idea with the olive oil—I hadn't considered that before.
"Leaves a nice shine without any harsh chemicals."
I've been cautious about using oils on stainless steel because I worry about residue attracting dust or fingerprints over time. Have you noticed any issues with that after a few days? I've mostly stuck to diluted white vinegar for cleaning my appliances, especially since they're vintage and I'm paranoid about damaging the finish. Vinegar seems to cut through grime pretty well, but it doesn't always leave that polished look you're describing.
Might give your olive oil method a cautious try on a small area first... just to see how it holds up. Thanks for sharing this tip—always good to have more natural cleaning options!
I've used olive oil on stainless steel a few times and I get your hesitation about residue—totally valid. From my experience, if you buff it really well with a microfiber cloth afterward, it doesn't attract dust or fingerprints as much as you'd think. But yeah, testing a small spot first is smart, especially on vintage appliances. Vinegar's great for grime but sometimes leaves things looking a bit dull...
"Might give your olive oil method a cautious try on a small area first..."
Exactly my approach—better safe than sorry with older finishes. Hope it works out nicely for you!
