Bartender's Friend - WOW

[Foiled Again]

The bathroom sink and the stainless stove top have always been a mess to clean up - especially hard water stains. I've tried several cleaners with mixed results. Even the best required lots of elbow grease.

Last week I bought some "Bartender's Friend" cleanser which is supposed to be non-scratching. It contains oxalic acid - which will cut rust stains on porcelain. I'd used a similar product called "Zud" years ago but haven't been able to find it again for a long time. OMG - this is even better! You can make a paste of it and leave it on the big crusty water stain that forms regularly in the bathroom sink - then with very LITTLE effort, it scrubs the stain right off! Ditto on the stove top. It even takes off the brownish tint that stainless pots and pans can get from a gas burner.

Last experiment? It works cleaning the fiberglass shower and the glass in the door. I haven't tried it on the aluminum frame around the door - and in fact have specifically avoided this area. I'm not sure I'd use it on a softer plastic such as the toilet seat - and with the paper thin Safari laminate surfaces I wouldn't use it there either. I don't hate to clean, but I want to get it done and move on!

I'm going to throw out about 90% of the other crap I use to clean!

Downsides? The label warns not to leave a paste on a surface for more than a minute - so on some surfaces it might be corrosive (gee with an acid as an ingredient, really?). It smells kinda nasty in a mild way and doesn't rinse out of cleaning cloths easily, but a disposable paper towel or shop rag should solve that.

Paula

[overlander63]

For the stainless stuff in the trailer, you can use Sheila Shine after cleaning. It coats the stainless, and makes crap (like food) not stick so much.
Here's a link to Barkeeper's friend's website:
http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/

Sheila Shine's website:

http://www.sheilashineinc.com/

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by overlander63

For the stainless stuff in the trailer, you can use Sheila Shine after cleaning. It coats the stainless, and makes crap (like food) not stick so much.
Here's a link to Barkeeper's friend's website:
Bar Keepers Friend --Free Shipping

Sheila Shine's website:

Sheila Shine - The World's Finest Stainless Steel Polish and Surface Preservative.

I am confused about the FAQs on the Sheila Shines website. It says not to use on food preparation areas but later says you can use on countertops......thanks, pj

[Maryw164]

We've used Barkeepers friend for years for home use. It's great stuff. Excellent on stainless steel as well as ceramic, and solid surface. Be careful though it does have a small amount of bleach in it. I haven't tried it on the AS bath yet, but will have to give it a try. I buy it at Wal-mart.

Mary

[AzenBarbie]

So I have read tons of amazing reviews an have one question, is it Bartenders friend or Bar keepers?

[Isadora]

Originally Posted by AzenBarbie

So I have read tons of amazing reviews an have one question, is it Bartenders friend or Bar keepers?

Barkeeper's Friend, I just bought a new one yesterday and I'm looking at the label.

[SilverRanger]

Barkeeper's Friend! I just used some yesterday on a cast iron porcelain claw foot bath tub. Amazing stuff.

[moosetags]

Thanx for the tip on Barkeepers Friend. I'm going to get some.

As far as the Sheila Shine, I have used this product for many years on My DeLorean (stainless steel body). It works very well in that application, but it leaves a little bit of an oily residue that attracts dust on the car. It also has a fairly strong wintergreen aroma. It's not an unpleasant odor, but I don't know if I would want it in the kitchen. The aroma would be just fine in the bathroom, though. This product is also used extensively in the marine industry as a stainless protectorant.

Brian

[mello mike]

Thanks, Paula. So will this stuff will work on my old stainless steel sink to make it look like new? My sink looks like hell and really needs a good cleaning/polishing. I hope this stuff will do the trick.