I've tried the baking soda and peroxide combo too, and you're right, that bubbling action is oddly satisfying. Another thing that's worked wonders for me is white vinegar heated up slightly—cuts through grease like magic. I know some folks don't love the vinegar smell, but it fades pretty fast, especially if you follow up with your lemon spray idea. My old stove thanks me every time... well, at least I imagine it does, lol.
Totally agree on the vinegar trick—it's been a lifesaver for me too, especially on stainless steel surfaces. I usually add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus) to tone down the vinegar smell. Works pretty well, and the kitchen smells amazing afterward.
A quick tip from experience though: be careful with vinegar around marble or granite countertops... learned that one the hard way. 😅
Speaking of appliances, has anyone tried using natural cleaners inside their dishwasher? I've heard mixed things about vinegar affecting seals over time, but others swear by it. Curious if anyone's had long-term success or issues with that.
"Speaking of appliances, has anyone tried using natural cleaners inside their dishwasher? I've heard mixed things about vinegar affecting seals over time..."
I've been using vinegar in my dishwasher for about three years now, and honestly, no issues yet with the seals or anything. I do dilute it a bit though—half vinegar, half water—and run it maybe once every two weeks. If you're worried about vinegar, baking soda sprinkled at the bottom works wonders too. Leaves everything sparkling and odor-free without the worry about seals... might be worth trying out.
I've had pretty good luck with vinegar too, but I tend to use it sparingly. A few years back, I renovated an older kitchen for a client who swore by natural cleaners. She'd been using straight vinegar in her dishwasher weekly for almost a decade, and when we pulled the appliance out, the seals were actually in surprisingly decent shape. Maybe a little stiffer than brand new, but nothing alarming at all.
"baking soda sprinkled at the bottom works wonders too"
Definitely agree on the baking soda—it's a lifesaver. Another trick I've picked up is tossing half a lemon (already squeezed) into the utensil basket before running a cycle. It freshens things up nicely and leaves dishes smelling great. Plus, it's a handy way to reuse something you'd otherwise toss out.
"Another trick I've picked up is tossing half a lemon (already squeezed) into the utensil basket before running a cycle."
I've tried the lemon trick too, and yeah, it smells great... but honestly, I found bits of pulp stuck to my forks more often than I'd like. Maybe it's just my dishwasher being picky. Personally, I stick with baking soda and occasionally run a hot cycle with vinegar—but lemons? I'll save those for lemonade.
