A pint of lager and a babysham please (Bar Keepers Friend)

Member Name: offy

Product:	Bar Keepers Friend
Date:	02/02/02 (1205 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Works on many surfaces, easy to use

Disadvantages: More expensive than its rival

I thought my friend had gone mad when she told me to use Bar Keepers Friend on my stained sink. I thought she had got me confused with her mate in the local pub (hence the title of this opinion). But no, instead she had put me onto a little cleaning miracle.

•• HISTORY OF THE PRODUCT ••
This information is courtesy of www.barkeepersfriend.com. This miracle cleanser was first manufactured in 1882 to clean brass ornaments and was sold in Indianapolis, USA. The intrepid inventor peddled his wares mainly to places where there was a lot of ornate metalwork, leading him to the saloons of the 1880’s and 1890’s. The bar keepers were so pleased with their shiny copper and brass that they soon started calling the product ‘Bar Keepers Friend’. News of this excellent product spread as bartenders, restaurateurs and innkeepers found how useful it was for their businesses and their home.

This original formula is now available to everyone. It is distributed by SarVaas Laboritories in USA and Homecare Products in the UK.

One interesting fact is that due to pressure from teetotallers, the name was changed to Housekeeping Friend’ in the early 1900’s but had to be changed back due to a huge drop in sales and near bankruptcy.

•• HOW TO USE IT ••
Simply sprinkle a little of the white powder onto a wet cloth and rub gently. Rinse off with clean water, or a cream paste (and when dry powder mark) remains. For stubborn stains make a paste with a few drops of water. Leave the paste on the area for a minute, then rub and rinse as before. This powder has a chalky smell to it, but it is not unpleasant or too strong.

•• WHAT IT CAN BE USED ON ••
This stuff is great as it has so many uses.

~ Sinks – this is where it really comes into its own. I had a very stained white sink, which had a ruined surface due to my
overuse of bleach. I followed the instructions and the sink was like new (until the next time I poured tea down the plug and forgot to rinse that is). It removes tea stains, berry juice stains, rust stains, scum marks, and everything else I have ever thrown at it – superb.

~ Work surfaces – much the same as above, but it also removes felt tip pen marks. My general advice, however, would be to choose a darker work surface in the first place – LOL.

~ China and glass – it is particularly good for removing tea stains and is approved by Wedgewood.

~ Ceramic glass – it can be used on cookware, hobs and oven doors.

~ General household – as per its original use, it is excellent on copper and brass, but also on chrome (removes rust) plastic, formica, tiles and grouting (great for removing the soap scum and hard water marks from the latter two).

~ Do not use on – mirror polished stainless steel houseware/cookware, gold, silver, enamel (e.g. baths).

•• THE PACKAGING, INGREDIENTS AND PRICE ••
Bar Keepers Friend (note that the product does not have the apostrophe in it – I am not just bad at grammar) comes in a 200g white plastic jar (with blue writing and lid) that reminds me of a lighthouse. It is vegetarian approved and should obviously be kept out of reach of children. The ingredients are: non-ionic surfactant, BR grade acids, flowing agent, fragrance (less than 1%) and inert mineral filler. The price of this produce varies widely. I have seen it for as little as £1.99 in supermarkets, up to £5 in catalogues like Betterware or Kleeneze.

•• THE RIVAL ••
I believe Bar Keepers Friend's main rival is Astonish cream. Personally I prefer Bar Keepers Friend as it is a powder and doesn’t dry out like Astonish does. My old jar of Astonish had to be thrown away as it has solidified. However, Astonish i
s generally cheaper, costing from £1 – 3 per jar.

•• CONCLUSION ••
I recommend this product due to its versatility and long lasting qualities. Anyone with light work surfaces or sink should give it a go if they have a problem with stains (ooh er!). If you want to get a free pint from your local, perhaps you could recommend it to them too!

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