Stainless steel appliances, in particular, will benefit from our Stainless Steel Cleanser & Polish. Many manufacturers, including GE Appliances, recommend Bar Keepers Friend for cleaning their products.
Non-abrasive Cleaners
Some examples of non-abrasive cleaners are Bar Keepers Friend and Method Stainless Steel Clean + Polish. If you're using a powder cleaner, you'll want to mix it with some water to create a paste. From there, take a damp cloth and rub toward the direction of the grain.
We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration. For surfaces such as plastic or porcelain, contact for longer than a minute may be necessary, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
Don't Leave It on for Too Long
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.
Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish contains no harsh abrasives and is formulated specifically to clean stainless steel without scratching or dulling surfaces. The finest in stainless steel care, this stainless steel cleaner shines stainless steel and wipes away easily.
Be careful not to use any of the following on your stainless steel appliances as they can scratch or damage the finish: products containing bleach, abrasive or grainy cleaners, glass cleaner, oven cleaner, ammonia or abrasive cloths or pads like steel wool.
Polish for Shine: To restore shine, polish the basin with bar keepers friend. If you prefer a more natural approach, try distilled white vinegar. If your sink has a bit of rust you can always restore it using our how to guide on removing rust from your sink.
Toothpaste is an abrasive product which you can use to lightly polish a surface. To reduce scratches on stainless steel, apply a fine layer of toothpaste with a soft cloth in the direction that your custom stainless steel panel has been brushed.
A cleaner: There are specialized cleaners for stainless steel that leave it with a bright shine. If you do not have any on hand or try not to use chemicals in cleaning, there are other common alternatives, including dish soap, white vinegar, and glass cleaner.
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".
Avoid cleaners that can damage steel and finishes. Instead, clean your stainless steel appliances with a dish soap like Dawn® Platinum. Its unique formula is tough enough to break up grease and grime while staying gentle on stainless steel surfaces.
I tried other stainless steel cleaners. Scrubbed very hard but could still see shadows of the long streaks. But one wipe with Bar Keepers, and they were gone!!!! My stainless steel actually looks better than when I first bought it.
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.
For tougher stains
Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda: These powdered cleaners can scrub off stains without damaging pans. Bar Keepers Friend is more effective at scrubbing the toughest stains, but baking soda is more versatile.
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.
To begin with, you can use Stainless Steel Cleanser & Polish on the outside of your stainless-steel grill. Just follow the directions, and the dirt, bugs, and watermarks from winter wash away! You can also use Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser and Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray+Foam on most grill surfaces.
Steel wool or abrasive brushes can scratch and damage the surface, making it more susceptible to rust. -Protect Against Rust: While stainless steel is rust-resistant, it's not rust-proof. Keep your appliances dry and use a dehumidifier in high-moisture areas to prevent corrosion.
DO use a non-abrasive cleaner. 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.
Don't Use Magic Erasers on Chrome or Stainless-Steel Surfaces & Fixtures. Contrary to popular belief cleaning stainless steel or chrome surfaces with harsh cleaning tools like scouring pads, SOS pads or others is a big no.
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 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.