"Now I'm wondering if it's more about dilution ratios or maybe even the type of cloth used? Microfiber vs cotton vs paper towels...does that make a noticeable difference for anyone else?"
Definitely makes a difference in my experience. I've noticed microfiber cloths consistently outperform cotton or paper towels, especially on stainless steel. Paper towels seem convenient, but they often leave tiny fibers behind, and cotton can sometimes smear rather than polish.
As for the alcohol haze you're seeing, it might actually be the dish soap causing buildup over time. I had a client who swore by a similar DIY mix until she started noticing that same cloudy film. We switched to just diluted rubbing alcohol (about 70% alcohol to 30% distilled water) and a clean microfiber cloth—no soap—and it cleared right up.
Also, quick tip: always wipe in the direction of the grain on stainless steel appliances. It sounds minor, but it really helps maintain that crisp shine you're after.
Microfiber definitely helps, but honestly...I've used cotton towels plenty of times with no real issues. I think it depends more on how clean the cloth is and whether there's leftover detergent or fabric softener residue. That's what usually caused streaks for me.
Totally agree with you about residue being the real culprit. I've found even old-school cotton towels work fine if they're rinsed properly. Honestly, natural cleaners like vinegar seem to leave fewer streaks for me...but maybe that's just my ancient appliances talking, haha.
I've noticed the vinegar trick works wonders too, especially on older stainless steel surfaces. Funny story—once I tried a fancy store-bought cleaner and ended up polishing for an hour just to remove streaks...lesson learned, simpler is usually better.
"Funny story—once I tried a fancy store-bought cleaner and ended up polishing for an hour just to remove streaks..."
Haha, been there myself. Ever tried baking soda paste on stubborn spots? I swear it beats half the expensive cleaners I've tested...and no endless buffing afterward.
