The gentle abrasiveness of Bar Keepers Friend makes it ideal for scrubbing buildup from soap scum off of porcelain and fiberglass bathtubs and showers.
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.
All that said, Bar Keepers Friend isn't for everything, namely anything that will scratch easily. According to the brand, it's safe for pretty much any non-porous surface, such as stainless steel, ceramic, and porcelain.
Barkeeper's Friend is highly abrasive. It's amazing for things like shower glass or (some) stainless steel, but especially for things like ceramic/porcelain tubs or sinks where there's a sort of coating on it which is smooth and shiny but can be abraded off, it will make things worse in the long run.
As you get ready to clean this bathroom centerpiece, you need to be sure to avoid chipping the porcelain. Certain cleaners and brushes may be harmful to the material, such as: Scouring powder. Abrasive cleaners, like ammonia or chlorine bleach.
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.
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.
Harsh scrubbing can damage porcelain, so your first line of attack should be the least abrasive. For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish.
Porcelain and Fireclay
Things like bleach, chemical cleaners and abrasive solutions can all start to erode a porcelain finish, so tackle stains with just dishwashing liquid first, then move on to a paste of baking soda and water if needed, according to experts at MaidPro.
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.
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.
BKF is totally septic system safe when used in normal daily applications.
It Can Clean Lots of Things, but Not Everything
But for hard, non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, or glass, go for it! In addition to pots and pans, you can use Bar Keepers Friend to shine up your cutlery or serveware, your copper mugs for Moscow Mules, or even the inside of your microwave!
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.
Porcelain is susceptible to scratches and chips that might expose the surface beneath, which makes it vital to avoid dropping heavy metal objects in it or using sharp metal around it. It's recommended that people use silicone pads or a stainless steel rack to help protect it.
Porcelain tiles tend to be harder, more resilient and more stain-resistant than ceramic tiles. They are one of the easiest types of tile to maintain but their surface can eventually be eroded by the regular use of corrosive chemicals such as ammonia, bleach or acids that can also damage the grout and loosen the tiles.
Clean Stainless-Steel and Porcelain Sinks
Wet the entire sink and sprinkle the surface with Bar Keepers Friend. Then, use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to rub the powder into the sink before rinsing. When cleaning stainless-steel sinks, work in the direction of the metal's grain for best results.
Many homeowners ask if Magic Erasers® can be used on porcelain or if they will damage ceramic tile. The good news is that they can be safely used on ceramic tiles and porcelain, so you have nothing to worry about if you plan on using them this way.
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.
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.
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.
Apply approximately six ounces of Bar Keepers Friend Toilet Bowl Cleaner to all sides and surfaces of the toilet bowl, including under the rim. Replace bottle cap securely and allow product to sit in the toilet bowl for at least five minutes.
Consider using Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, or The Pink Stuff, which are commercial cleaners that work well to remove toilet bowl rings.
Soap scum and hard water deposits make shower doors look cloudy. You can use harsh chemicals to remove that film, but you might also damage your shower door in the process. Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser is a smarter alternative – it's non-toxic and safe for most surfaces. Ready to learn how to clean glass shower doors?