Based on my experiments, I have concluded if a record does not seem to need a cleaning, leave it alone. Like you, I've typically heard treble softening with a number of cleaners, however, when I strictly use a pure alcohol/water blend of 25% to 75%, I routinely get that "somewhat drier" sound you allude to.
do record cleaning fluids soften the treble?
Over many years of cleaning records with fluids containing a surfactant (not specified) I have come to the opinion that the process leads to a very slight softening of the treble. After cleaning the sound was more"cosy" and less extended in the treble. However I did not get this effect with the VPI fluid that came with my 16.5 machine. It made the sound somewhat drier. Anyone else noticed this /these effects? Any idea why???