Yes, Bar Keepers Friend can permanently damage or stain clothes. Because it contains oxalic acid, the powder or liquid can bleach, discolor, or chemically burn holes in delicate, dyed, or natural fabric fibers. The manufacturer explicitly advises against using the product on fabrics or leather.
Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid—found in many vegetables like rhubarb and spinach—and is a true enemy of rust. While it might not be a laundry product, in our experience, it works incredibly well to save t-shirts like the one pictured here (and we've saved a ton!).
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.
Bar Keeper's Friend is different, most of our formulas contain oxalic acidic, a naturally occurring ingredient found in leafy green vegetables like, rhubarb, which makes it significantly more effective at tackling rust, mineral deposits, and tough stains that bleach-based products simply can't touch.
The Ten Worst Stains (and How to Treat Them)
5 Stubborn Types of Stains
Natural home remedies for stain removal
We recommend you leave Bar Keeper's Friend on for no longer than One Minute. Do not let the product sit longer than necessary. Re-apply as necessary and repeat following the cleaning directions for the respective product.
Bar Keepers Friend does not have bleach, so you wouldn't have fumes like you would from a product containing bleach or ammonia.
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.”
The main difference between Bar Keepers Friend and Ajax is that Bar Keepers Friend is better for removing stains, rust, and hard water buildup, and it's gentler on delicate surfaces like stainless steel and glass. Ajax is more abrasive, and better at scrubbing and cutting through grease and grime.
If you're really a clean freak, you can use Bar Keepers Friend to keep your pots and pans sparkling clean. Over time, most cookware develops stains due to a buildup of carbonized oil. Those stains aren't unsafe, but they are unsightly, and this powder is the best way to knock them out in a hurry.
But while BKF is not non-toxic (you cannot drink the stuff), it is approved for use on cookware and kitchen surfaces so long as you rinse everything well after cleaning.
By using the right laundry products and the right technique, stains that have been dried do come out.
You should take precautions when cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend, especially if there is prolonged use of the product. Cover your skin, mouth, nose, and eyes when using. This means wearing cleaning gloves, goggles, and a mask over the mouth and nose.
Tide Pen Pro Stain Remover
Tide products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal and remain a fan favorite. In Lab tests on 10 common food and drink stains, the pens scored well across cotton, polyester, and even tricky silk fabrics.
Usage/Safety Tips
Bar Keepers Friend is an oxalic acid-based cleaner that works effectively to remove rust, tough grease, tarnish, water spots, mineral deposits, and more. It can also restore shine to uncoated stainless steel and porcelain.
"Works for hard water stains!"
Use it in my tub as well. Eliminates the hard water stains with very little effort." – Lois "It did the job! I live in a "hard water" area, and I use it on my toilet bowls. It does a great job and leaves a shiny bowl with a clean scent.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, so it will remove stains and grime from your toilet bowl. To clean your toilet, use one cup of baking soda with two cups of white vinegar. Brush it into the bowl, let it sit for five minutes, then flush again with the water on full force.
It was invented by a chemist in Indianapolis, Indiana, where it continues to be manufactured by SerVaas Laboratories. The canned product's primary active ingredient is oxalic acid.
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.