Let's face it: Keeping a house clean is sometimes like trying to shovel snow in a blizzard. No matter how much you scrub, clean, and mutter to yourself, there will always be another disaster waiting in the wings. But over the years I've discovered a little miracle in a can that keeps me sane. It's called Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser and believe me, it's the best friend you never knew you needed.
If you've never heard of it, you're in for a treat. And if you've heard of it but never tried it, let's just say you're about to get a crash course in why this simple little cartridge should have a VIP spot in your cleaning closet.
Before I begin, you should know that what follows is my honest opinion. This is not an advertisement, I am not a spokesperson for the BKF and I am not being paid by the BKF to write this. I just love sharing with my readers tips, tricks, techniques and amazing products that I come across and become addicted to.
WHAT IS BARMAN'S FRIEND?
Bar Keepers Friend looks like something you'd find behind the counter of a saloon next to a glass of whiskey, but it's actually a straight-up star cleaner that's been around since 1882. This product has been fighting dirt since before cars existed.
BKF was originally invented by an Indianapolis chemist who was trying to clean brass and copper in (you guessed it) bars and taverns. Her concoction turned out to be so effective at removing stains, rust, and tarnish that it quickly found its way into homes around the world. And thank God for that.
The magic behind Bar Keepers Friend? Oxalic acid. It sounds like something you'd need a lab coat for, but it's actually just a powerful natural compound that cuts through stains like a hot knife cuts through butter. It eliminates rust, removes hard water stains and removes baked-on dirt almost effortlessly.
IS IT SAFE?
Let's put it this way: It's not something you want to sprinkle on your breakfast cereal, but something to take home? Absolutely.
Oxalic acid is a natural compound (it's even found in rhubarb and spinach), but that doesn't mean you should get used to it. Like any cleansing product, use it as directed: don't let it sit on your skin, don't eat it, and don't use it to exfoliate your face (yes, someone's probably already tried that).
The good news? It does not emit aggressive fumes, is biodegradable and contains neither phosphates nor chlorine. Even if you want to keep it out of the reach of children and pets, it's not the worst thing you can have under the sink.
IS IT EASY TO USE?
If you know how to wet a sponge and sprinkle powder on it, congratulations, you've mastered the technique!
— Moisten the surface to be cleaned.
– Sprinkle on the bartender's friend.
– Rub something.
– Rinse it out.
That's all. No enchantment required. For more stubborn stains, let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing and it will do the heavy lifting for you.
Works wonders on dirty ovens, stained sinks and appliances that have seen better days. Have you ever looked at your stainless steel refrigerator and thought, "That's more of a fingerprint than a refrigerator"? Bar Keepers Friend can solve this problem. And don't worry, BKF is non-abrasive.
WHAT CAN CLEAN IT?
The better question is: What can't it clean? This material is the Swiss Army Knife of cleaning products.
Here's just a short list of what it easily covers:
Stainless Steel: Say goodbye to water stains and mysterious stains.
Porcelain and Ceramics: Regain the "like new" shine.
Glass: Perfect for stoves and shower enclosures with hard water stains.
Copper and brass: no more tarnishing, no more dullness.
Chrome and aluminum: Make your lights shine.
Tiles and grout: Because scrubbing with a toothbrush is said to be illegal.
Fiberglass: Ideal for bathtubs, showers and even boats.
Cookware: If your pans have seen things, this will make them forgotten.
If you have a mess, there's a good chance Bar Keepers Friend can fix the problem.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Best of all, it's incredibly affordable. A can of Bar Keepers Friend powder costs about $3 and unless you clean the entire Taj Mahal, it will last for months. You can find BKF in the cleaning section of most supermarkets, at Target, Walmart and online.
There's also a liquid version called Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, which is a little more expensive but just as effective if you prefer something less powdery. Either way, you'll get great cleaning service on a budget.
IS BAR KEEPERS FRIEND DESIGNED FOR YOU?
Let's see:
Do you want your house to be clean without sweating?
Do you like removing stains instead of just looking at them?
Want a cleaner that really works without costing you a fortune?
If you answered "yes," congratulations! Bar Keepers Friend is your new best friend.
However, if you have small children or pets who enjoy messing around with cleaning products, be careful where you store them. And if you're expecting an all-natural, all-edible cleaning product, then this isn't the one for you. (But of course nothing else works).
So don't hesitate: try it, be impressed and enjoy a house that looks like you spent hours cleaning it (even if you didn't). You deserve the purge, not the fighting.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived with links and resources for all of the products and services she recommends. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/ "Ask Mary." This section answers questions of general interest, but it is not possible to answer letters individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a blog about frugal living, and author of the book Debt-Proof Living.
Photo credit: Callum Hill on Unsplash
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