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Can you make your own Bar Keepers Friend?

No, you cannot make your own Bar Keepers Friend. Bar Keepers Friend is a cleaning and polishing powder that has been sold since 1882 and is the only one of its kind. It is made with a combination of oxalic acid, baking soda and detergents to give it a unique formula and cleaning and polishing power.

The specific ingredients used to make Bar Keepers Friend are a closely guarded trade secret and are not made publicly available, so it is not possible to create an exact copy of the product at home.

Is Bar Keepers Friend just baking soda?

No, Bar Keepers Friend is not just baking soda. Bar Keepers Friend is actually a cleaning product that is used for removing rust and stains from most hard surfaces such as stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, glass and fiberglass.

The main active ingredient in Bar Keepers Friend is oxalic acid, which is a mild acid (pH of 2) that helps to dissolve deposits and corrosion. It also contains small amounts of surfactants, detergents, and mild abrasives.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a sodium salt that is basic (pH of 8.3) and is not an acid, meaning it lacks the ability to dissolve deposits or corrosion in the same way that an acid like oxalic acid can.

What ingredients are in Bar Keepers Friend?

Bar Keepers Friend is a multi-surface cleaner and polish that has been on the market for over 120 years. It contains a unique blend of ingredients which provides superior cleaning and polishing solutions for a variety of materials including stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, copper and brass.

The main active ingredients in Bar Keepers Friend are:

– Oxalic acid: this creates a gentle, yet effective cleaning and brightening action that dissolves hard water stains, soap scum, rust, mineral deposits, and other challenging stains.

– Sodium metasilicate: this helps to break down and remove grease and oils, leaving your surfaces sparkly clean.

– Abrasives: this includes a special combination of diatomaceous earth, feldspar, mica, and calcined alumina. These give Bar Keepers Friend its non-scratch cleaning power and polish-like finish perfect for restoring stainless steel and other hard surfaces to their original luster.

– Surfactants: these ingredients help to clean surfaces by encouraging dirt and other stuck on materials to release from surfaces, leaving them sparkling clean.

– Non-ionic surfactant: this helps to provide optimal wetting action so Bar Keepers Friend can effectively cut through grime and cleaning layers.

How do you make Bar Keepers paste?

To make Bar Keepers Paste, you will need the following ingredients: 3/4 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of warm water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

In a bowl, mix together the baking soda, white vinegar, warm water, and salt until they are completely combined. Once the mixture is mixed together, slowly add in the lemon juice while stirring the mixture.

Keep stirring until the mixture forms a thick paste. The paste should be thick enough to spread on a surface but thin enough to spread easily.

Once you have the paste prepared, it is ready to be used. Some of the common uses for Bar Keeps Paste is for cleaning and polishing silver, cleaning and buffing wood, and pots and pans. Simply apply a layer of the paste to the surface and rub in a circular motion until the desired result is achieved.

After you are finished using the Bar Keeps Paste, it can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Using Bar Keeps Paste is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your home sparkling clean.

Why is Bar Keepers Friend better than Comet?

Bar Keepers Friend is a unique and powerful household cleaner that is superior to Comet for many reasons. It is specifically formulated to clean and polish hard surfaces — including stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain and fiberglass — in a gentler, more effective way than some of the harsher and more abrasive cleaners out on the market, such as Comet.

Bar Keepers Friend’s non-bleaching, non-corrosive and non-abrasive formula makes it ideal for cleaning surfaces without damaging their finish or leaving any residue. It is also alkaline-based and contains oxalic acid, which is a powerful and natural stain-fighting agent known for its ability to help remove rust, while still being gentle on sensitive surfaces.

Unlike Comet, Bar Keepers Friend does not contain bleach, ammonia, phosphates, or other harsh chemicals that can severely damage surfaces and even corrode skin. It is safe for both hard and soft surfaces, so it will not scratch or strip away the finish of delicate porcelain sinks, and the non-corrosive nature of the formula ensures it won’t damage metals.

It is also highly effective in removing tough stains, such as soap scum, rust and tarnish, grease, fingerprints and more, while leaving your surfaces clean, bright and shiny. This makes it an ideal choice for a variety of tasks in your home and business, such as cleaning sinks, stoves, countertops, showers, toilets and more.

Therefore, Bar Keepers Friend is the superior choice when it comes to cleaning and polishing hard surfaces because of its effectiveness, gentleness on surfaces and lack of harsh chemicals. It is one of the safest, most effective cleaning products on the market.

Are Bar Keepers Friend and Comet the same?

No, Bar Keepers Friend and Comet are not the same. Bar Keepers Friend is a cleanser and polish used to remove spots and stains from a variety of surfaces. Its formula includes oxalic acid, which is a mild agent that is effective at cleaning certain surfaces.

Comet, on the other hand, is a scouring powder used to clean hard surfaces such as sinks, tubs, and toilets. Its active ingredient is a combination of chlorinated sodium bicarbonate, which is a form of baking soda, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate, which is a powerful bleach.

Overall, while they are both used for cleaning purposes, Bar Keepers Friend is a cleaner and polish, while Comet is a scouring powder.

Is Soft Scrub the same as Bar Keepers Friend?

No, Soft Scrub and Bar Keepers Friend are not the same. Soft Scrub is a cleaner made to be used on hard surfaces like kitchen countertops, showers, and bathtubs. It is a non-abrasive cleaner and shines with a pleasant lemon scent.

On the other hand, Bar Keepers Friend is a cleaner designed to remove hard, stubborn stains from surfaces like stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic. It is made with a combination of oxalic acid and chlorine-free, non-abrasive cleansers, so it is a safe and strong cleaner.

What should you not use on stainless steel?

When it comes to stainless steel, there are a few common products and materials that should be avoided in order to preserve its protective barrier and finish. Never use steel wool or brushes, as their hard surfaces will scratch away the protective layer and expose the underlying metal to corrosion.

Additionally, you should avoid acidic substances such as chlorine bleach, vinegar, and other cleaning solutions, as these can also corrode the surface and leave behind worn out steel. Harsh abrasives are also not recommended, as these can cause discoloration and damage to the finish of the steel.

In addition, you should also avoid strong alkalis such as ammonia-based cleaners and alkaline detergents. These solutions can break down the chromium oxide layer that protects the steel, leaving it vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

What is the difference between Bon Ami and Bar Keepers Friend?

Bon Ami and Bar Keepers Friend are two different cleaning products. Bon Ami is a more natural, non-abrasive cleaner that is safe to use on glass, enamel and stainless steel. It uses ground chalk and feldspar as its main ingredients and does not contain any bleach, acids or other harsh chemicals.

Bar Keepers Friend is a steel cleaner and polisher that harnesses the power of oxalic acid. It’s a powerful, abrasive cleaner that is effective against soap scum, rust and hard water deposits, but should not be used on delicate surfaces such as marble, granite, brass and copper.

Bar Keepers Friend also contains chlorine bleach, sodium carbonate and surfactants which provide superior cleaning action, but can discolor and degrade some surfaces.

What can I use instead of oxalic acid?

If you are looking for an alternative to oxalic acid, it is important to note that oxalic acid is a non-toxic organic acid used for many different purposes. It is often used for its bleaching, stain-removing, and wood-preserving properties.

As a result, it can be hard to find a substitute for oxalic acid that offers the same level of effectiveness.

That said, there are several potential alternatives to oxalic acid that may be useful depending on your needs. For example, borax has a similar bleaching and stain-removing capability, and is somewhat less toxic than oxalic acid.

It is also often used as a natural cleaning agent. Another alternative is hydrogen peroxide, which can also be used for cleaning, stain removal, and bleaching.

Other potential options include citric acid, which is a naturally occurring acidic compound found in citrus fruits and is often used for cleaning and sanitation purposes. Acetic acid, which is derived from vinegar and is also used for cleaning, is also a potential option.

Finally, sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound often used for cleaning, disinfecting, and bleaching, and may be a viable substitute for oxalic acid in some cases.

At the end of the day, it is important to note that there is no “one size fits all” substitute for oxalic acid. Depending on your needs and the intended application, different alternatives may be more appropriate.

As a result, it is best to research the different options and determine which one is best suited to meet your particular requirements.

What cleaner has oxalic acid in it?

Oxalic acid is a commonly used cleaner in a variety of settings. It is used in bleaches, laundry detergents and cleaners, as well as in many other cleaning products. Oxalic acid is also used in wood cleaners and wood brighteners.

It is typically used to remove stubborn stains, rust, or discoloration. Some of the most popular wood brighteners and cleanrs that contain oxalic acid are Jomax Wood Cleaner, Cabot’s Wood Brightener, and Boeshield T-9 Wood Cleaner.

Oxalic acid is also used to clean masonry and tile surfaces, to remove water and mineral deposits, and to bleach the grout between tiles. It is also commonly used in soaps, dye fixatives, and many other cleaning supplies.

What happens when you mix bleach and Bar Keepers Friend?

Mixing bleach and Bar Keepers Friend should be avoided, as it can cause a toxic reaction. When bleach and Bar Keepers Friend are combined, the oxygen released by the bleach combines with chromium and other metals in the Bar Keepers Friend to produce chlorine gas, which is hazardous to breathe.

In addition, the mixture can release fumes that can irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin, causing coughing, chest pain, sore throat, and other respiratory issues, even at low levels. Symptoms can occur within minutes and persist for days.

If you come into contact with the fumes, you should leave the area immediately and seek medical help. As such, mixing and using bleach and Bar Keepers Friend simultaneously is not recommended and should be avoided.