Are Ajax and bar keepers friends the same thing?

Author: Fleta Bashirian  |  Last update: Sunday, September 14, 2025

While Comet, Ajax, and other household cleaners are bleach-based and alkaline, Bar Keepers Friend isn't.

Are Ajax and bar keepers friends the same?

Comments Section Comet and Ajax are bleach based powder cleaners. BKF is oxalic acid based powder cleaner. They are all powder cleaners which means they're all abrasive. Often times, they yield similar results. The BKF, however, is better for hard water build up because the oxalic acid breaks it down.

What cleaner is similar to Bar Keepers Friend?

Is there a powder or liquid cleanser available in your market? In the US, Bon Ami, Ajax, Comet, and SoftScrub are some other commercial cleansers that are somewhat similar to BKF but they all have different chemical composition so are better for some things than others.

Is Bar Keepers Friend bleach?

Bar Keepers Friend does not have bleach, so you wouldn't have fumes like you would from a product containing bleach or ammonia.

How is Bar Keepers Friend different from Comet?

Comet is bleach (technically cyanuric acid, which is a component of bleach), and BKF is oxalic acid, which is primarily used for removing rust and other stains on metals. Short version: Comet is good for scrubbing and bleaching, and BKF is good for stubborn stuff on metal and non-porous surfaces.

This Is The Biggest Mistake You're Making With Bar Keepers Friend

What should you not use Bar Keepers Friend on?

Don't Use Bar Keepers Friend on Non-Recommended Surfaces
  • Marble and other natural stones: BKF original powder can scratch and damage the polished surface.
  • Non-stick cookware: The coating can be worn away, compromising its effectiveness and safety.
  • Gold or silver-plated items: It can strip away the plating.

Is Bar Keepers Friend just baking soda?

Is Bar Keepers Friend just baking soda? Despite its similar appearance, Bar Keepers Friend is not the same as baking soda. Bark Keepers Friend is made from oxalic acid, a powerful cleaning chemical that can break down hard-to-move marks, grime, and dirt with ease.

What happens if you leave Bar Keepers Friend on too long?

Don't leave it on too long.

Instructions state that Bar Keepers Friend should be thoroughly rinsed from the surface you're cleaning after one minute. Leaving the product on too long can cause discoloration on some surfaces, so don't take a chance with this one.

Is Bar Keepers Friend bad for you?

The oxalic acid used in BKF comes from industrial suppliers and is generally produced from plant/vegetation waste. While oxalic acid can be harmful if ingested in large amounts, there is no danger in using BKF as instructed.

What is the difference between Bar Keepers Friend and Ajax and Comet?

Ajax and Comet are bleach-based cleaners. Barkeeper's friend is an acidic-based cleaner. All three products can be used on porcelain, stainless steel, certain cookware, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tubs, and other surfaces. Comet & Ajax contains various ingredients that work together to clean surfaces.

Does Walmart sell Bar Keepers Friend?

Bar Keepers Friend Kitchen Cleanser Powder, 21oz - Walmart.com.

Why is Bar Keepers Friend so good?

According to BKF, oxalic acid “attacks stubborn rust, tarnish, and lime stains at the molecular level, breaking the bonds that hold them together.” Hoffman went on to create a powdered cleanser that incorporated oxalic acid, and Bar Keepers Friend was born.

Is Ajax a good cleaner?

Customers say that Ajax is a reliable and effective cleaner for tough stains in bathtubs, sinks, and toilets, often praising its strong cleaning power and pleasant scent.

Should you wear gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend?

Though many people clean with Bar Keepers Friend without putting on a pair of gloves first, this can cause skin irritation. This is because the ingredient that makes the cleaner so effective, oxalic acid, is corrosive.

Does Ajax cleaner still exist?

Currently, Ajax Powdered Cleanser and Ajax Dishwashing Liquid are the only two Ajax products sold by Colgate-Palmolive in the United States.

What not to use Bar Keepers Friend?

BKF cleans and polishes most hard, nonporous surfaces. However, never use BKF on the following: cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Although many of our fans have used BKF on mirrors, gold, and silver (sterling silver is OK), we advise against it.

Does Bar Keepers Friend work on headlights?

Clear headlights are crucial to safe driving, especially in snowy conditions! Luckily, Bar Keepers Friend can help with that!

Can you mix Dawn and Bar Keepers friends?

Mixing Bar Keepers Friend with a bit of dish soap works wonders and has the perfect amount of suds and scrubbing power! Just don't ever mix with other cleaners (especially bleach).

Why is Bar Keepers Friend better than Comet?

Bar Keepers Friend Doesn't Use Bleach

Bleach fumes will sometimes cause me to wheeze, if not start a full-fledged asthma attack. While Comet, Ajax, and other household cleaners are bleach-based and alkaline, Bar Keepers Friend isn't.

Is Bar Keepers Friend safe on glass?

Bar Keepers Friend is recommended for surfaces including stainless steel, copper, brass, ceramic tile and glass. The company does not recommend using it on gold, silver, pewter, anodized aluminum, mirrored surfaces, wood or cast iron.

What is a good alternative to Bar Keepers Friend?

#2 Bon Ami

The best part is that it's non-abrasive, so it won't scratch surfaces the way some harsher cleaners can. If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative to Bar Keepers Friend, Bon Ami is definitely worth considering.

Will Dawn clean the toilet?

As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner. Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl.

Does Comet scratch bathtubs?

AJAX, Comet, etc. are very abrasive. For a porcelain tub, the high gloss finish would wear quickly using these.

What is the best homemade toilet bowl cleaner?

Baking soda, borax and tea tree oil combine to make a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner. Baking soda, borax and tea tree oil combine to make a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner.

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