Bar Keepers Friend is formulated to work on non-porous surfaces like glass, stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain, brass, and aluminum. But when it comes to porous surfaces — like unsealed concrete, fabric, leather, or wood — the manufacturers recommend steering clear.
Washing Machine & Dryer
“Use Bar Keeper's Friend to clean stuck-on lint and debris inside your washing machine and dryer,” Crandall and Rosser recommend. “For front-opening washers and dryers, use a small drop to clean the inside rubber flaps and remove any mold or mildew.”
Leaving Bar Keepers Friend on a surface for too long can lead to a few issues: Surface Damage: Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, which can be abrasive. If left on for too long, it may scratch or damage delicate surfaces, such as certain types of countertops, stainless steel, or porcelain.
Whether your sink is stainless steel, porcelain, or ceramic, Bar Keepers Friend can effectively remove stains, rust, and mineral deposits, leaving your sink sparkling clean. You can use the original BKF Powder on your porcelain kitchen sink or MORE Spray + Foam.
For instance, Bar Keepers Friend is an acid. Mixed with bleach, which could happen in the laundry process, it creates chlorine gas. Another reason you shouldn't use Bar Keepers Friend on fabric is that it can fade bright colors or damage delicates, both of which would ruin the fabric.
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.
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).
Ingestion: May cause irritation of the mouth and intestinal tract. Skin corrosion/irritation: Not a skin corrosive. Eye damage/ irritation: Causes eye damage. Respiratory irritation: Dust may be irritating to the respiratory system.
How long should I leave Bar Keepers Friend on a surface? We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration.
Do I need to wear gloves when cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend? Yes, we recommend using gloves to protect your hands. It's a good idea anytime, but especially for prolonged use or if you have sensitive skin.
While Comet, Ajax, and other household cleaners are bleach-based and alkaline, Bar Keepers Friend isn't.
“Best glass stovetop cleaner. Bar Keeper's Friend cleaner works on a variety of surfaces but really performs well on glass. It works on any smooth stovetop surface, including glass and ceramic.
Prolonged use and extended skin contact may cause irritation, peeling and contact dermatitis, which is avoided by wearing gloves. The product can also be an eye irritant.
Clear headlights are crucial to safe driving, especially in snowy conditions! Luckily, Bar Keepers Friend can help with that!
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.
While Bar Keepers Friend is powerful, it's essential not to leave it on surfaces for extended periods. If left for too long, it can etch surfaces. Apply the product, let it sit for only one minute, scrub as needed, and rinse promptly. Repeat if necessary.
Bon Ami is eco friendly and made with entirely different ingredients as BKF. Bon Ami Powder received the highest grade from EWG which is an "A". Very Eco friendly!
Who is the Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser best for? Ultimately, if it's good enough for the pros, it's certainly good enough for me. It cleans tough stains, rust, tarnish and everything in-between, so anyone looking to tackle all of the above will want to add this to their cleaning supplies.
A surprisingly effective toilet bowl cleaner
The liquid version of Bar Keepers Friend is just as effective as the original powdered version, but it's easier to squeeze up into the rim of a toilet.
Don't Use it on Everything
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.
Bar Keepers Friend is recommended for cleaning nonporous surfaces. However, because it contains an abrasive, before cleaning fiberglass, plastics, anodized aluminum, coated stainless steel, or brushed metal surfaces—including appliance exteriors—test it first on a small, inconspicuous area.
Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser, Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, and Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray+Foam are perfect for regularly cleaning stainless steel sinks and cookware. Each of these products is non-abrasive and won't harm the chrome oxide barrier when used properly.
Use it to clean and restore uncoated stainless steel, copper, ceramic, brass, and hard-anodized aluminum surfaces.
Where crusty spots and stains remain, lightly sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend on the door, or use your rag to apply it lightly to the walls. (Don't let it sit.) Use a damp scrubbing rag or scour pads to work at the spots and stains, cleaning them under running water as you go.