My Barman IS My Best Friend!! (Bar Keepers Friend)

Name: tb4ms

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Bar Keepers Friend
Date:	04/01/07 (225 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The best cleaning / stain removing I have come across

Disadvantages: Difficult to find in high street shops

I first came across this product more than 10 years ago, in the days when I was a sensible married female! I moved in to a newly built house which had a white kitchen sink and drainer (so glad, I've moved and got a stainless steel one now) but this used to stain terribly and I tried all sorts of products.

I happened upon the Bar Keeper's Friend while flicking through one of those home product catalogues that are put through your letter box, it's so many moons ago that I can't remember whether it was Kleeneze or Bettaware or some such other.

Anyway, I digress..................if you haven't used this then you really must try it out, it is brilliant stuff although the name is a little odd!

~ How the product got it's name? ~

This was first manufactured in 1882 as a cleanser for brass products. The manufacturer used to go around places where there was a lot of metal work etc to try and sell his product, focussing mainly on saloons.

So impressed by the 'powers' of this product the man became known as the 'Bar Keepers Friend' which then passed on to the product.

Interestingly, during the early 1900s, pressure from the teetotalers the name was changed to the 'Housekeepers Friend' but sales dropped massively and it was changed back again!

Enough of the history lesson, back to the product.

~ What is the product? ~

It comes in a plastic white container with a blue screw top lid which flips open to reveal a small rectangle from whence the product is dispensed.

It is a very fine powder / granules which has quite a strong smell to it, almost like a very strong talcum powder, apologies for anyone who disagrees with this description. Smell is so subjective, I always wish that there was a scratch and sniff option on here!

~ How to Use It ~

The manufacturer's suggest that you sprinkle BKF on to a wet cloth, however I sometimes sprinkle it directly on to the item to be cleaned. Rub gently then rinse off.

For more stubborn stains make a paste by adding a few drops of water to BKF, apply the paste and leave for a minute or so then rinse well.

~ What does it do and where can it be used?

* It is brilliant at removing stains on work surfaces.
* It removes stains on stainless steel and my former plasticy white sink.
* Removes stains from china and glass and is even approved by Wedgwood!
* Great for ceramic glass like cookware, hobs and oven doors.
* General household items, e.g. removes rust from chrome. It can be used on plastic, formica, tiles, grouting, copper and brass.

For brushed surfaces just take care to polish in the direction of the brush lines.

For anyone who is interested, there is also a note at the back to say that it is vegetarian approved!

~ Don' t use it on: ~

* Mirror polished stainless steel houseware / cookware
* Gold and silver
* Enamel baths or surfaces.

~ My experience ~

I have used it on everything except for the brushed surfaces and the china, simply because I don't drink tea or coffee so my mugs and cups etc never get so badly stained.

I mostly use it on my stainless steel sink, hob and kettle and it really does work. Not only does it remove stubborn stains effectively without having to rub away at them, just a gentle circular motion is required, but it gives them a gleaming shine, once you have rinsed the BKF off and polished the item with a tea towel or non-abrasive cloth.

One thing I would like to point out is that it can dry out your skin a little bit so if you have particularly sensitive skin or eczema etc then I would suggest you use rubber gloves to apply the product.

~ Other Bar Keepers Friend Products ~

SerVaas offers quite a wide range of products which I have listed below:
* BKF Lime and Rust Remover
* BKF Toilet Bowl Cleaner
* BKF Cooktop Cleaner
* BKF Liquid Cleanser

~ Price and Availability ~

I looked in my recent Betterware or Kleeneze catalogue a couple of months ago as my current BKF is coming to the end of it's life but couldn't find it.

The last bottle I bought was from a department store, Fenwick Ltd. That was a good couple of years ago so I can't remember the exact price of it but it does show how long this stuff really does last as not much is needed to clean.

I do find this quite hard to find up here in the NE but have looked on the internet and have found Wares of Knutsford sell this 200g bottle for £3.85.

~ Caution ~

Like all cleaning products keep out of the reach of children and in case of eye contact, rinse thoroughly with water.

~ My verdict ~

None of my friends had ever heard of this and some still look at me as if I am insane due to the name of the product. If you haven't tried it, I assure you that it will not fail to disappoint. Your stainless steel appliances will be so 'bling-bling' once you apply this little beauty!

Summary: A fab cleaning / stain removing product !