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.
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.
There are, of course, other abrasive cleaners, but what sets Bar Keepers Friend apart is its super-fine texture, attributed to the ground feldspar that it's made from, which breaks down stains and makes them easier to scour away. (There's also a liquid version, but I prefer the original.)
What are Bar Keepers Friend ingredients and are they safe? Is Bar Keepers Friend natural? We take a closer look at BKF as it's affectionately called. Unlike Comet and baking soda BKF is an acid based cleaner. It's inexpensive and cleans a lot of things!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 has various cleaning uses.
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.
Use Bar Keepers Friend for:
Stainless steel pans (and other stainless steel cookware) Stainless steel flatware. Stainless steel sinks (or even the exterior of stainless steel appliances like fridges, stoves, and dishwashers; spot check in an inconspicuous area first in case it has a special coating) Sheet pans.
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.
Bar Keepers Friend can bring back the luster and shine of tarnished pans thanks to its key ingredient: oxalic acid. And that's where the rhubarb comes in. According to the lore of Bar Keepers Friend, in 1882, chemist George William Hoffman cooked a batch of rhubarb in a tarnished metal pan.
No problem! Looking for the best way to clean glass shower doors, sinks, toilets, and other bathroom surfaces? Look no further than Bar Keepers Friend.
Unlike some other abrasive cleaning products, such as Comet and Ajax, Bar Keepers Friend uses oxalic acid as its primary active ingredient.
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.
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.
“After spending hundreds of dollars on cleansers that claimed they'd get rid of hard water stains in the toilet, and trying Coca Cola, baking soda, and cleaning vinegar, none of which worked! I bought a can of Bar Keepers Friend – it worked! I had to use it twice, but it finally got rid of the hard water rings!
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. You can also apply it to other kitchen fixtures, such as porcelain sinks, brass, stainless steel, and chrome.
If you do not have a tough bristle brush on hand, check out our Tile & Grout brush. Step 2: Apply Bar Keepers Friend onto the grout. Start with the gentler options, the MORE Spray & Foam or Soft Cleanser and stepping up to the Powdered Cleanser if need be. Step 3: Get Scrubbing!
Clear headlights are crucial to safe driving, especially in snowy conditions! Luckily, Bar Keepers Friend can help with that!
A: Ajax us a bleach-based cleanser while Bar Keeper's Friend uses gentle abrasives. The type of product best for you depends on how you plan to use it. For example, I use Bar Keeper's Friend to keep my pots and pans sparkling. I would use Ajax to scrub my sink.
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.