5 Kitchen Surfaces You Can Clean with Bar Keepers Friend

This go-to powder is good for more than just stainless steel pans.

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March 05, 2021

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When deep-cleaning the kitchen, using the right cleaning solution is key for tackling germs and grime effectively. And, depending on what surface you’re cleaning, using the wrong cleaning product could end up causing damage to the material if you’re cleaning. Whether you’ve seen it on TikTok or heard about it from your foodie friends, many professional and personal kitchens swear by Bar Keepers Friend, which the company says was formulated to tackle anything from burned-on stains (think, the bottom of your Dutch oven) to built-up grease (hello, stove top!) without causing damage. Wondering why it's so many chef's go to? Read on.

What Surfaces Can You Clean with Bar Keepers Friend?

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. This means keep it off wood cabinets, certain faucets and definitely your favorite cast iron skillet.

Any Safety Concerns?

Before you go any further, remember, never use Bar Keepers Friend with chemicals like bleach or ammonia. We also recommend using a new sponge or cloth to clean with the product, not the one you use to wash your dishes. If you have sensitive skin, consider investing in a pair of gloves to wear while cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend.

The Best Kitchen Surfaces to Clean with Bar Keepers Friend

If you’re sold on the idea of solving all those hard-to-clean problems but still don’t know where to start, we’ve got you. We’ve rounded up five surfaces that Bar Keepers Friend will have looking shiny and new with little effort.

Stove Top

Chances are, you're not cleaning your stovetop enough, and it's important to get the grease that has inevitably splattered everywhere cleaned up from time to time. To give your stove a deep clean, use Bar Keepers Friend on the burner covers, knobs and stainless steel exterior. For extra dirty messes, the brand recommends using the Cookware Cleanser & Polish. If you have a glass cooktop, Bar Keepers Friend powder cleaner will also get the job done when cleaning up caked-on messes without scratching or staining the surface — just be sure to use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and test the product on a small area first.

Enameled Cast Iron

When cleaning enameled cast iron — like a Dutch oven, for example — it’s also important to remember to use a nonabrasive sponge or soft cloth, as anything rougher might scrape off the coating. In conjunction with a soft cleaning tool, you’ll also want a nonabrasive cleaner, like the Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser. Simply sprinkle the powder on the bottom or inside of your wet cookware and scrub in a circular motion to remove built-on grease and stains. If you’re unsure if the coating of your cast iron is enameled, Bar Keepers Friend recommends spot testing first.

Tile Backsplash

There are so many reasons to keep your backsplash clean. You might not realize it, but daily cooking inevitably leads to splashes that you’d be remiss to keep neglecting. Bar Keepers Friend’s Cooktop Cleaner will do the trick to keep them clean and looking like new.

Stainless Steel Surfaces

Along with your stove top, Bar Keepers Friend is great for any stainless steel surface. Use it to give your kitchen sink, oven door, fridge and more a deep clean. If you have scorched stainless steel frying pans, this will do the trick to bring them back to life again, too. Sprinkle the Cookware Cleanser & Polish on a wet pan and rub with a soft cloth or sponge. For tougher stains, you might want to let it soak for a couple minutes.

Baking Sheets

Rather than putting your aluminum pans in the dishwasher or letting them soak in soapy water, which can lead to rust, Bar Keepers Friend can remove anything from burned-on sugar to oil build-up. If you’re not sure which product is right for you, assess your mess. The older, more intense stains might need the cleanser, which the company’s website says, “contains extra active ingredients for cutting through grease.” Again, use a gentle sponge or cloth to avoid scratching off any surface coatings.

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