Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner has been a household favorite because its unique formula and range of uses make it a great all-purpose cleaner. It is especially valuable for cleaning dirt, removing rust stains, and polishing surfaces. But can you use it in your shower?
Barkeepers Friend Cleaner’s active ingredients feature oxalic acid and alumina silicate for powerful yet gentle stain removal on porcelain, glass, stainless steel, and other surfaces. Spray or apply the cleaner directly to the surface and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away.
Let’s look at what you can clean with Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner, whether it’s safe to use on glass showers, and how to clean a glass shower with Bar Keepers Friend. You’ll also learn some of the other uses for this versatile cleaner.
What is Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner Used for?
Bar Keepers Friend is a multi-purpose cleaner most often used to clean stainless steel, enameled surfaces, and tile. The product has a unique formula that makes it powerful enough to remove rust stains but gentle enough to be used on many other surfaces, including glass and porcelain.
The formula contains oxalic acid, which helps dissolve rust without damaging surfaces. In addition, the combination of oxalic acid and cleaning agents makes it a powerful cleaner safe for various surfaces and materials.
The cleaner was created in 1882 and quickly became popular in restaurants and other commercial settings because of its ability to remove rust from stainless steel and other surfaces. Since then, it has become a popular household product for cleaning many items.
Can You Use Bar Keepers Friend on Glass Showers?
Yes. Because of its mild ingredients and gentle abrasive action, you can safely clean glass showers to remove hard water stains, soap scum, and limescale buildup.
Bar Keepers Friend will clean shower glass without etching or damaging the material like harsh cleansers or scouring pads often do.
You have several options for cleaning and polishing glass showers with Bar Keepers Friend products. The original Bar Keeper’s Friend Multi Purpose Household Cleaner (on Amazon) is a powder that most are familiar with.
Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser Liquid (on Amazon) and Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray + Foam (on Amazon) are also available. (MORE is an acronym for Mineral deposits, Oily residues, Rust stains, and Everyday grime.)
Each product is safe to use on glass, so your preference is the only deciding factor. For example, the Spray + Foam is popular for shower enclosures because it adheres well to vertical surfaces.
How to Clean a Glass Shower with Bar Keepers Friend
Once you’ve chosen a Bar Keepers Friend product, you’re ready to clean your glass shower.
Regardless of your chosen product, it’s essential to test it in a hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or other damage. Then, when you are sure it is safe to use, follow these steps:
- Start by thoroughly wetting the shower glass with warm water.
- Next, dampen a soft cloth or sponge to apply Bar Keepers Friend cleanser liberally to the surface of the glass, covering the entire shower door with a thin layer of cleaner.
- Allow up to one minute for the cleanser to penetrate the hard water stains or soap scum.
- Then, gently scrub the cleaner onto the glass in a circular motion with your sponge or cloth.
- Rinse the entire glass surface thoroughly with warm water to remove residual cleanser or dirt.
- Once you’ve rinsed away all the residue, use a clean, soft cloth or sponge to dry the surface and buff out any remaining streaks or watermarks.
If you opt for the Spray + Foam product, you can follow these steps without wetting the glass first.
Depending on how much of a buildup was present before you started cleaning, you may need to repeat this process several times to remove stubborn limescale deposits altogether. Once your glass shower is clean, you can reduce staining or scum buildup in the future by wiping it down regularly with a soft cloth or squeegee.
Bar Keepers Friend can also clean the fixtures and metal of your shower, like the handle and hinges. Apply it as you would to glass and scrub with a damp cloth or cleaning pad.
Other Uses for Bar Keepers Friend
Now that you know how to use Bar Keepers Friend on glass showers, you may wonder what else it can do.
Besides cleaning and polishing shower doors, Bar Keepers Friend can remove tough rust stains from tools and stainless steel. It can also eliminate hard water deposits from bathroom fixtures and tile grout.
It is also great for polishing up chrome and other metals around the home or garage, like faucets, sinks, wheels, tools, and outdoor furniture. Plus, you can use it on cookware, like stainless steel pots and pans.
Here are some tips for cleaning other surfaces with Bar Keepers Friend:
Remove Sticky Residue
Remove the gummy residue left by stickers on electronic devices, glassware, and other surfaces. Then, apply the cleanser to the sticky spot and scrub gently with a damp cloth.
Eliminate Crayon Marks
Crayon marks on walls can be challenging to erase with regular cleaners. Instead, you can apply a little cleanser to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing gently with a damp cloth and wiping it away.
Polish Brass and Copper
Restore brass and copper items to their original finish by applying the cleanser with a soft-bristled and then rinsing it off with water. After removing the cleanser, buff it with a soft cloth to bring out the shine.
Clean Your Vehicle
You can clean tire rims and cloudy headlights with a bit of Bar Keepers Friend. Apply a small amount on the area and let it sit for around 5 minutes. If you’re using the powder, mix it with water first to create a paste. Then scrub away the dirt, debris, and oxidation to restore the luster.
You can also use the Spray + Foam variation to clean your dashboard. Just spray the foam onto the area and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. If you have stubborn areas, apply pressure while scrubbing to remove the grime.