These Bar Keepers Friend Uses Will Make Your Home Sparkle
Let’s talk about one of the most underrated products in the cleaning aisle — Bar Keepers Friend. I’ve kept a bottle of this cleaning powder (and more recently, the “soft cleanser” variety) under my sink since back when I originally posted about using it to clean dishes.
While I was amazed by how well it did that one specific job, it didn’t occur to me right away to consider other ways I could put my bottle of Bar Keepers Friend to good use. I have since corrected that oversight, and my research has yielded more useful tips than I ever could have hoped for!
Check them out below, and I’m sure you’ll be as amazed as I was at just how useful this cleaner can be around the house!
14 Amazing Uses For Bar Keepers Friend
1. Dishes
You can use Bar Keepers Friend to remove those light scratches and marks on your plates, bowls, and other dishes. I wrote a whole post about how well it works, and I got some great before-and-after photos out of it. You can check it out at the link below!
2. Knives & Flatware
Whether your kitchen knives or flatware are starting to rust, or if they’re just looking a bit dull, a quick scrub with Bar Keepers Friend will do wonders.
3. Tarnished Silver
You can use Bar Keepers Friend to clean tarnished silver trays and serving dishes. Use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way on silver! You’ll be shocked at how shiny and clean your silver can look. This little pitcher was a vintage thrift store find that was horribly tarnished. I honestly didn’t think it would ever look new again! But after a couple of minutes of scrubbing it was bright and shiny!
4. Pots & Pans
You know that burnt, cooked-on layer of grime that clings to the bottom of your pots and pans? Bar Keepers Friend can remove that stubborn grime, no sweat! Your pans will look as clean as the day you bought them.
I decided to just clean a small spot on the bottom of this frying pan so you really see the difference. I let the soft cleanser sit on this pan for a few minutes, and all of that grime came off with virtually no scrubbing!
Related: 3 Easy And Effective Ways To Remove Burnt Messes From Cookware
5. Showers & Tubs
Keep a container of Bar Keepers Friend with your bathroom cleaning supplies, because it’s a miracle cleaner when it comes to showers and tubs! Clean your porcelain or fiberglass tub, along with glass shower doors, and tile and grout!
Related: This Weird Trick Is The Best Way To Clean Your Bathtub
6. Dishwasher
Have you ever looked at the inside of your dishwasher closely? If you haven’t taken any steps to clean it lately, chances are it looks pretty rough. Use Bar Keepers Friend to scrub away any residues or buildup lurking in your dishwasher. A clean dishwasher equals cleaner dishes!
7. Kitchen Sinks
You don’t know how clean your stainless steel or porcelain sink can look until you’ve cleaned it with Bar Keepers Friend. It erases scuffs, scratches, and residues with ease, leaving you with a shockingly clean sink!
8. Auto Scratches
It might sound strange, but you can actually use Bar Keepers Friend to erase small scratches and marks on your car. It works similarly to those polishing compounds you can get at auto supply stores. Just use a small amount, and make sure to wipe up any leftover cleaner afterwards!
More Ideas You'll Love
9. Glass Stovetops
Any glass stovetop will looked a bit scuffed and scratched up after using it for a while. A quick scrub with Bar Keepers Friend will make it look like new!
10. Water-Stained Wood Furniture
We all do our best to prevent water rings on our wooden furniture, but accidents happen! Luckily Bar Keepers Friend works well to remove those unsightly marks from your wooden surfaces. Use it sparingly, and scrub gently!
11. Stainless Steel Appliances
Use Bar Keepers Friend and a soft sponge to clean your stainless steel appliances. Make sure to use a soft sponge to avoid scratching the finish!
12. Vintage Pyrex
If you own or collect any of those brightly colored vintage Pyrex dishes, you can use Bar Keepers Friend to clean them up! It will make scuffs and scratches disappear, and won’t jeopardize your ability to use Pyrex in the oven or microwave. (How gorgeous is this Pyrex collection from Esther Lee – @vampyrex on Instagram?) It also cleans glass Pyrex dishes fabulously!
13. Oven Door Glass
Sometimes it seems like that layer of grease that builds up on the glass of your oven door is impossible to clean without harsh cleaning products. But Bar Keepers Friend can take care of it easily! Just smear a layer onto the glass, then rub or scrub it away. The grease will disappear, and you’ll be amazed! Just look at how brown the cleaner is in this photo. That’s all grime that scrubbed right off in just a couple of minutes!
Related: This Clever Oven Cleaning Hack Makes It Easy To Do The Impossible
14. Countertops
Use Bar Keepers Friend to remove scuffs and marks from your countertops. We use it religiously to keep our bright white countertops at the studio clean. Nothing else works quite as well to keep them shiny, clean, and mark-free!
How To Use Bar Keepers Friend: Dos And Don’ts
Bar Keepers Friend can be used on the following surfaces:
- Corian
- Brass
- Stainless steel
- Bronze
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
Bar Keepers Friend should not be used on:
- Granite
- Painted surfaces
- Lacquered surfaces
- Fabric
- Wood
- Leather
- Cast iron
- Marble
Do you have any tips for using Bar Keepers Friend in your home?
More Ideas You'll Love
#10 says bar keepers friend can be used on wood furniture, but under the column where not to use it, it says wood. Which is it?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also, #3 use says for silver, but it doesn’t say silver under where it can be used.
I once used BKF and and a car buffer to revive a sliding glass door that had been ruined by a sprinkler system of hard water. It was great to finally be able to see out of it. I kept it in shape with Rain X.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for sharing these great tips, Marbeth! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you use on quartz counter top?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would suggest that you only use it once in a while for stubborn stains… but only use the soft gel cleaner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used BKF for many years. The reason I don’t use it more often is the problem I have removing the residue, especially on my SS sink. Perhaps I use too much, I don’t know.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My mother in law kept several canisters of Bar Keepers Friend on hand at all times. I often wondered why. Now I know. The bottoms of her pots and pans were always clean and shiny. I will be using it to clean up ours. I have at least 5 canisters left from her stash! Guess I’ll be passing some down to my kids, too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You know the yellow stains that sunscreen makes on white clothing? Bar Keepers Friend takes it out!! Nothing else will, but make a paste and rub it in. It vanishes like magic.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this product and used it when I did homemaking for seniors. I haven’t used the liquid form but, will pick that up today.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When do I use the powder vs the cream version? Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you are the least bit worried about the surface getting scratched, use the soft cleanser. The soft cleanser also does a superior job on glass/ceramic cooktops, particularly if yours is dark, as ours is. Over the years we’ve tried a few other smooth cooktop cleaners, but this beat them all. The powder is better on metal surfaces.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Omg going off-topic…..the boxer! Anyway loved the article and the product! Can’t wait to try the soft cleaner!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I cleaned our brass door knobs and hinges with BKF – amazing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t know why I didn’t think of that.A couple of ours look pretty shabby at the moment. Now I need to try this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The Bar Keepers Friend label says DO NOT USE ON SILVER.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does BKS have a chemical odour to it. Thank you
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t usually notice much a smell when using it
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very mild acidic odor. Almost like wet aspirin
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For years now I have used HG for the shower tiles and grout, I have also used Bar Tenders Friend but solely for the kitchen now they make a spray I shall definitely try it on the grout in the shower cubicle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve got the “more” spray and while I think it works pretty well, IMO it is not as good as the powder. YMMV.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My liquid has a very strong “chemical ” smell. Is this normal?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use bkf to clean my toilet. Best stuff ever always sparkly clean. Best part? NO SMELLY CLEANER!!!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Well, yes it would be pretty…but not clean. BKF does not disinfect.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And disinfectants do not clean.
Since germs return so soon, it’s not much different than a true disinfectant. Cleaning away the dirt is the most important part of any disinfecting
BKF now sells toilet bowl cleaner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I, too, use BKF for cleaning toilets. I also use Bon Ami and occasionally Comet cleanser when I feel the need to “disinfect”. I only use powdered cleaners – trying to cut back on our use of plastics. The cardboard containers are recyclable.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There’s a reason it is called ‘Bar Keeper’s Friend’. Sure is my best friend.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Always enjoy your tips. Thanks.
This is all I use to clean my Instant Pot liner. Mine still looks brand new after months of almost daily use. Can’t wait to try it on these other things around my home!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t tried it on my Instant Pot liner – great idea!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You mentioned using it on your white counter tops. Will is work safely on granite or other stone?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it is safe on granite! Just be sure to apply, and then wipe off. Don’t let it sit on the surface :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Bon Ami on my granite. Check the label, I don’t think BKF recommends using it on granite.
Would the liquid BKF remove scratches on my heavy glass table top
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t tried it on glass yet, so try an inconspicuous area before committing :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.BKF is an excellent product made right here in Indianapolis IN.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It also cleans the crud off vinyl boat cushions that were unprotected from the elements for a long period of time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used BKF for longer than I care to admit. I suggest it to anyone who hasn’t tried it. I have found that often when added to a damp surface, and left for a while, often over night, the surface will be clean or need almost no scrubbing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you ever used it to clean your oven?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie, you’re the greatest. I think I will do the same thing with BKF as you suggested (and I did) for Dawn, buy a few and give as a hostess gift along with these wonderful instructions. Thank you! (Two proofreading things for you: (1) I didn’t really of any other ways to put my bottle of Bar Keepers Friend to good use and (2) erase mall scratches)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Marge!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this product, but I’m hesitant to use it on silver. It didn’t scratch the mirror finish on the piece that you cleaned???? It seems too abrasive
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are there any inconspicuous spots you can test it on first? It worked wonderfully for me, but it is definitely abrasive. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is it possible to use big on copper? I have small copper teapot. I also have the powder bkf.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is there a way to print out these tips. I need every last one!!! We have a home on the market that could benefit from many of these tips. Now the only area left to try to clean is inside the oven door. Any ideas for cleaning inside the door of a self-cleaning oven? I’m am worried that if we open it up, it will not longer withstand the high heat of the cleaning cycle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.BTW I could use a printed copy of many of your posts. My husband even reads them and checks to make sure I saw the most recent entry.
Grandy, I saw something on Facebook about oven doors having an opening on the bottom of the door that you can stick something up to clean the glass part. Don’t know if all makes/models have this. It’s worth checking. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Believe it or not, blue Windex will clean your whole oven! Just spray and wait about 15 minutes and wipe with microfiber cloth! My oven and especially the door sparkles!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We took off the oven door and opened it up, cleaned the inside of the glass, put it back together and have had no issues. The guy who came out to repair the oven told us he couldn’t do it but said there is no issue if we did it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can it be used on Corning Ware? I have my mothers and grandmother’s and both could use some scratch clean up.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes! Don’t let it soak too long, just to be safe. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used Comet on my Corningware for years and it comes out scratch free and sparkling so BK would do the same.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used Bar Keepers Friend on my Lifetime Stainless Cookware that I bought 46 yrs ago! They still look like brand new! Love both my cookware & BKF!! I have used it on my Stainless Steel Sink, Chrome Handles in Kitchen & Bathroom! Now use the Soft Scrub BKF on my Glass Cooktop Stove with the special yellow scrubbing pad that came the stove when we bought our home in 2006! Love them both!! TY, for all your wonderful posts! Blessings!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yay! Thanks Tari :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here I thought I was the only person still using Lifetime Cookware. I have not purchased any other cookware in 46 years. It is still in very good shape but the outsides are looking a bit grungy. I will definitely use Bar Keepers Friend to shine the pots up. Lifetime is one product that has lived up to its name!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I too have a set of “Stainless cookware” guaranteed to last a lifetime, so far 34 yrs & still looks brand new. Through the years I’ve alternated between BKF & Comet to keep the exterior/interior in tip top condition. Thank you for the new tips on other uses for BKF!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used BKF for year! The best ever at removing rust off of anything. We have lots of iron in our water. It’s amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used Bar Keepers Friend to take rust stains out of clothing. I just made a paste, rubbed it in and let it set a bit.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.AND, it’s not tested on animals!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s because it’s not a personal product. Cleaners aren’t tested on animals
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How is Bartender’s Friend different from other cleansers like Comet, Ajax? Can I use those instead? Thanks, Marcy
Please log in or create a free account to comment.While they are similar products, Barkeeper’s Friend has a different active ingredient. I would definitely suggest trying it! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I usually try to keep my comments positive, but I had to chime in. I’ve used Bar Keeper’s Friend powder for years and still do. I love it! My local grocer was out of the powder, so I decided to try the liquid. I was so disappointed. The liquid didn’t clean anything that I had long used the powder on. I should have taken it back to the store, but I’ll try on my dinner plates before giving up on it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It worked just as well as the powder for me! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My daughter in Utah has super hard water . Her sink looks so rusty. The cleanser she had was barkeepers. Never he’s rd of it . Cleaned her sink like a new one. Came home and bought it.
I had the same underwhelming experience with the liquid version. It didn’t phase my white Fiestaware, which is still covered in utensil marks. We use the powder like crazy! Love it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you tried shaking up the bottle of BKF before using it? I’ve found that the liquid version needs a good shaking before use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Definitely needs a good shake – good idea Karen+Ross :-)
Michelle, I had the same poor results with the liquid version on my vintage Pyrex. Have been using the original powdered version for years and it’s definitely a keeper!! Thanks Jillee for all the tips.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Gentle warning…I use Barkeepers on everything you mentioned, however, it cannot be used on aluminum pans…I used it to remove years of baked on gunk on an old roasting pan that was my grandmothers and it unfortunately ruined it. It works wonders on those older Kitchenaide paddles that tarnish when washed or used with any citrus.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used BKF powder on all of my raw aluminum bakeware for years. Never a problem.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are you using the powder or soft scrub in the illustrations?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used both! I used the powder on the stovetop and the soft scrub in the rest of the photos :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.HERES A very important tip when it comes to bar keepers and metals. ALWAYS use paper towels to avoid scratching the surface. ALSO IT works wonders on hard water stains on windows
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For the car scratches, did you use the powder or liquid Bar Keepers Friend?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used the liquid, but you can basically make your own liquid by mixing the powder with a bit of water :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.