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Cleaning Experts Swear by This Must-Have Product—And It Costs Less Than $3
Published on Jan. 24, 2025
It’s one thing to ask a trusted cleaning professional for their go-to product recommendation. But it’s another thing entirely to reach out to many cleaning professionals and hear the same answer.
At the risk of aging myself, I was first introduced to this product about 15 years ago. I had asked a friend, who was an avid home chef, how to clean a pan that had burnt-on stains. My friend recommended a product that sounded like a miracle in a can—something that had major scrubbing power but wouldn’t harm surfaces. So, of course, I was ready to try it.
You might think a product that lives up to the hype would be expensive, but not this one. And the hype is not hyperbole either. Sydney and Tina even discussed it on The Bear (hello, product placement!) as an option for tackling some heavily tarnished and stained cookware. But the real kicker is when I reached out to Robin Murphy, president of Maid Brigade, for her input and she told me that one year she—*checks notes*—dressed up as said product for Halloween.
OK, enough suspense. Here’s what you need to know about your new favorite cleaning product—and how to clean with it.
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What cleaning product do the pros always have on hand?
The answer is—drum roll, please—Bar Keepers Friend. If you haven’t already been cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend, you’re in for a treat. Murphy loves the versatility of this quick, effective cleanser.
“You can use it on almost any surface in the kitchen and bathroom,” she says. “It’s excellent at tackling stubborn stains like grease, grime, hard-water deposits and rust without being too harsh or scratching surfaces. Plus, there’s no bleach or chemical smell, making it a much safer choice for both the environment and your health.”
Bar Keepers Friend won’t harm your wallet either. There are various formulas to choose from—more on that in a moment—but I went with the OG powder in a can. It’s currently less than $3 at Walmart, which is a steal.
What is Bar Keepers Friend?
Bar Keepers Friend is a line of bleach-free cleaning products known for erasing tough stains from surfaces. The original formula is a scouring powder that comes in a can, and it’s the one that Murphy and other cleaning pros rave about.
The cleanser is bleach-free, but it does contain oxalic acid, a plant-based organic compound that works as a natural bleach. It also contains glass oxide, an abrasive compound that takes care of stubborn stains like rust, tarnish, baked-on food, hard-water stains and soap scum. It could cause skin or eye irritation, so wear gloves and eye protection to avoid any trouble.
The powder version of Bar Keepers Friend looks pretty much the same as it did when I first bought it all those years ago. You might be tempted to grab the liquid or spray, but it really is just as easy to sprinkle a little of the powder on a cloth and get to scrubbing. When I cleaned my pots with it, I opted to sprinkle some right on the affected area, and it worked great.
Where can you use Bar Keepers Friend?
It’s not just for the kitchen, though that’s one of the places you’ll likely use it most. “I use it on stainless steel sinks, stovetops and cookware,” she says. “In the bathroom, it’s great for grout, tiles, toilets and the shower/tub, especially for soap scum and even hard water on a glass shower door.”
But wait—there’s more! And that “more” encompasses surfaces both inside and outside the home. “In general, it works great for all hard surfaces,” Murphy says. “That includes stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, glass, copper, brass, bronze, chrome, fiberglass and hard plastics.”
How do you clean with Bar Keepers Friend?
Murphy says the most important rule of cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend is to do a spot test first. (That’s a good rule of thumb when using any new-to-you cleanser.) That’s especially true of fiberglass, plastic, anodized aluminum, brushed metal surfaces (including appliance exteriors), porcelain and grout.
So before you take on the entire surface, grab a cloth or sponge and find a small spot to test it to ensure there’s no damage or discoloration. If you have sensitive skin, you may also want to pull on a pair of gloves when cleaning with it. And work in a well-ventilated area, making sure not to inhale the powder.
Once you feel confident about proceeding, here’s how to do it:
- Dampen the surface with water. Never apply Bar Keepers Friend to a dry surface.
- Sprinkle some product either directly onto the surface or onto a damp cloth or sponge. Don’t pour out a lot; you can always add more product if needed.
- Rub gently. Work in the powder, rubbing in gentle circles. Remember: Bar Keepers Friend also contains glass oxide, so it’s abrasive even without scrubbing. When tackling tougher stains, scrub gently and let the product do the majority of the work.
- Rinse after one minute. Bar Keepers Friend is not a set-it-and-forget-it product. “Don’t let it sit for too long,” says Murphy, “and always rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid any residue.” The manufacturer says a minute is usually enough.
When should you use the other Bar Keepers Friend formulations?
It often boils down to personal preference—like, would you prefer a liquid or spray instead of a powder?—but in some cases, you need to use certain specialized formulas. For example, when cleaning natural stone, use the Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish; this will ensure that you don’t scratch the surface with the more abrasive powder.
Then there’s the liquid version, which does the job for light cleaning tasks. But overall, the powder reigns supreme, according to Murphy. “It gives me more flexibility,” she says. “I can adjust how much I use to control the cleaning strength.”
She particularly likes mixing the powder with a little dish soap and water to make a paste for an even gentler approach. “It’s easier to use on delicate surfaces like countertops or glass but still effective,” she says. “Plus, the powder is more cost-effective, and its packaging is more environmentally friendly, which is another reason I prefer it.”
To make the paste, just add a few drops of water to a sprinkling of powder in bowl until you reach a spreadable consistency, then slather it on the stain. Yep, it’s that easy. A word of caution: Because pastes are meant to be left on a surface for longer, both Murphy and the manufacturer emphasize that you shouldn’t let it overstay its welcome—and you’ll definitely want to do a spot check with the paste before covering any surface.
What else can you clean with Bar Keepers Friend?
Bar Keepers Friend might have gotten its name from the product giving a hand to bartenders and others in the food and beverage service industry, but the line of formulas goes well beyond restaurants and bars to household use.
In fact, you can use some form of Bar Keepers Friend on a variety of surfaces indoors and out, such as:
- Glass oven doors
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Laundry stains (test for colorfastness first)
- Coffee makers
- Car wheels
- Grills
- Door handles and hinges
Keep in mind that, when cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend, the surface needs to be rinsed thoroughly to avoid damage or discoloration. If there’s a surface that would make that problematic, skip it. For example, you can clean it off your glass oven door, but cleaning it off the oven’s interior would be a chore.
What shouldn’t you clean with Bar Keepers Friend?
For as many surfaces as you could be cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend, there are plenty of others you shouldn’t use it on. The manufacturer says it’s formulated for nonporous surfaces, so keep that in mind during cleaning. You’ll also want to be careful on surfaces where the abrasive cleaner may cause etching or even discoloration (see: colored grout). In particular, avoid:
- Wood floors
- Natural stone (unless it’s the Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish)
- Painted surfaces
- Leather
- Soft surfaces
- Cast iron
- Nonstick pots and pans
- Fabric
- Gold
- Concrete
- Colored grout
Now, despite what Murphy and the manufacturer say about using it on leather, there is a TikTok video that claims Bar Keepers Friend can be used to clean leather car seats. Our verdict? If you have heard mixed reviews about any cleanser for a particular surface, don’t proceed without first doing a spot test in an inconspicuous area.
You’ll also want to be careful with how hard you scrub when using Bar Keepers Friend. It is abrasive, after all, so even though it’s OK to use on nonporous surfaces like glass and porcelain, too much elbow grease might cause scratches.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend, Barbara Bellesi Zito tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who covers home topics, including cleaning. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
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Robin Murphy, president of Maid Brigade; email interview, Jan. 7, 2025
