Honestly, I get the appeal of the heavy-duty stuff—sometimes you just want to nuke the grime and move on. But I swear, half the time those “miracle” sprays just leave a weird film or smell that lingers for days. Had a fridge once that reeked of fake lemons for a week after I got impatient and used a store-bought cleaner. Not sure which was worse, the original funk or the chemical afterparty. I’ll take a little extra elbow grease if it means my kitchen doesn’t smell like a science experiment gone wrong... most days, anyway.
I hear you on the chemical afterparty—sometimes it feels like you’re just trading one problem for another. I’ve had better luck with a baking soda and vinegar mix for the fridge, but it does take a bit more scrubbing. Curious, has anyone tried those “eco” store brands? Wondering if they’re actually any better or just pricier water with a fancy label...
Honestly, I’ve tried a couple of those “eco” brands and half the time I feel like I’m just paying extra for a nice bottle. Some of them smell great, but when it comes to actually getting gunk off the oven or fridge, they’re not always up to the job. Baking soda and vinegar is old school but it works—just wish it didn’t take so much elbow grease. If only someone would invent a cleaner that actually cleans and doesn’t leave your kitchen smelling like a science experiment...
Natural Cleaners Vs Store-Bought Stuff For Appliances
Baking soda and vinegar is old school but it works—just wish it didn’t take so much elbow grease.
I hear you on the elbow grease part. Living in a house that’s over a hundred years old, I’ve had my fair share of “historic grime” to deal with. I’ve tried a bunch of those eco brands too, and honestly, sometimes I wonder if they’re just fancy water with a hint of lemon. The old baking soda and vinegar trick does work, but I always end up scrubbing way longer than I’d like.
Have you ever tried adding a bit of salt to the mix? I read somewhere that it helps with the scrubbing, and it actually seemed to make a difference on my ancient stovetop. Still, I get what you mean about the smell—my kitchen sometimes ends up smelling like a salad bar after a deep clean.
Do you think it’s just the older appliances that need the heavy-duty stuff, or are the eco cleaners just not there yet? I keep hoping someone will invent something that actually works and doesn’t cost a fortune...
I get where you’re coming from—older appliances really do seem to hold onto grime in a way that newer ones just don’t. I’ve worked on a lot of kitchen remodels, and sometimes the buildup is so baked in (literally) that even the best natural cleaners need a little backup. Salt’s a good call for extra abrasion, but I’ve also had luck with a paste of baking soda and a splash of dish soap. It cuts through grease better and doesn’t leave that vinegar smell hanging around.
Honestly, I think it’s a bit of both: older appliances have more years of gunk, but some eco cleaners just aren’t strong enough for the heavy-duty stuff. For regular maintenance, natural options are fine, but when you’re dealing with decades-old residue, sometimes you need something a bit tougher. I try to avoid harsh chemicals unless it’s really necessary, but there are a few store-bought degreasers that get the job done faster. Just gotta weigh the trade-offs—time, effort, and what you’re comfortable using in your home.
