Works for Me: Bar Keepers Friend

As I was busily scrubbing my sink one day this week, I thought, “I have to blog about this.” It was one of those moments that makes me feel a little bit crazy — but I’d be willing to be most bloggers have had moments like that, realizing that something really mundane might actually make a somewhat interesting or helpful blog post.

Sooooo, once I was done scrubbing, I took pictures of my kitchen sink. And a cleaning product. Again, that’s a little kooky outside of blogland.

shiny sinkAdmit it: this is one delightfully shiny sink!

I think stainless-steel sinks get a bad rap because they can look so dull. Admittedly, if I was going to put money into a new sink, it would probably be a white farmhouse-style porcelain-coated cast-iron sink. That’s not in the budget, but that’s no excuse to have an ugly sink!

farmhouse style sinkMy attempt at faking a farmhouse-style sink with the cute little curtain.

Allow me to introduce one of the best cleaning products EVER: Bar Keepers Friend. I’m not a barkeep, but this product is my friend.
BarKeepers Friend
You don’t have a stainless steel sink? Never fear! You can also use this on porcelain, fiberglass, copper, brass, and more! Make sure to rinse thoroughly after using so it doesn’t have a chalky-looking residue. With a little elbow grease, it will even remove rust. One more little tip: after I scrub and rinse well, I dry my sink completely, and then use just a tiny bit of olive oil on a paper towel to polish the entire sink. Keeps it super-shiny longer, and things don’t stick to the sink as easily. I have actually had guests compliment me on my shiny sink, which is really weird, if you think about it: how often do you compliment someone’s sink? But I’m kooky enough to care about things like that, so I must attract friends who are kooky enough to notice things like that sometimes, too. ;)

One can lasts me a very long time, but you can usually find it at places like WalMart. Or visit www.barkeepersfriend.com; it may have been around since 1882, but now it’s modern enough to have its own website!

Find more helpful Works For Me Wednesday ideas at We Are THAT Family.


(Note: post may contain affiliate links. See disclosure page for details.)

Comments

  1. Samantha says:

    Thanks – I’ll try that. My sink definitely looks dull and, actually sort of sad!

    Samantha
    Samantha recently posted..10 Ways to Motivate Children Regarding Their SchoolworkMy Profile

  2. Jonnia says:

    I am pretty much in love with this Bar Keepers Friend, too! Just last night I was using it on a stainless steel pan, smiling to myself at its wonderfulness!

    Must run in the family. ;o)
    Jonnia recently posted..Chess Camp Hocus PocusMy Profile

  3. I can totally relate! I blogged about Bar Keeper’s Friend probably a year or two ago for a WFMW because I love it, too! It works great on my tub (which is why I originally tried it…if you’re going to force yourself to clean a tub, it should look like it’s been cleaned when you’re done) and my glass top stove. Love it!

    I really like your new theme, too. I know you were a little frustrated with it last night, but it looks really good.
    Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers recently posted..Sweet Shot Tuesday- The KiddosMy Profile

  4. Kaye says:

    I too love this stuff! I use it for our ceramic cooktop and it works MIRACLES to remove the stuff that I constantly drip on the hot surface. And it works wonders in our textured fiberglass shower and tub liners.

    I am so happy that someone introduced me to this stuff because it really is my friend too!

    Great recommendation!
    Kaye recently posted..Tuesday Free For AllMy Profile

  5. I LOVE this product. I heard about it through Flylady, and even my husband was amazed at how well it works on our stainless steel sink. I prefer the liquid kind, but lately it seems that I can only find the powder in local stores.

    I posted my $3 bathroom wall art for a quick tip.  Stop by when you have a minute!  :)
    Amy @ Tiny Blessings recently posted..Menu Plan TuesdayMy Profile

  6. Michelle says:

    Beautiful job, kooky friend!

    If it makes you feel any better, we have an old porcelain sink that is very stained and looks awful unless I soak it in bleach once a week! I will have to keep an eye out for this product as you say it also does porcelain!

    Thanks Jamie!
    Michelle recently posted..A Little Like Heaven One can Dream!My Profile

  7. Carol Flett says:

    God gave me one of those farm style sinks you mentioned at the house we had in Chatham: http://www.godleadsusalong.com/2010/06/renovating-our-god-is-god-of-detail.html It wasn’t any easier to keep clean than the stainless steel kind but it just made you want to keep it clean.
    The ss one I have now in the trailer could stand some of your enthusiastic touch.
    The oil sounds like an interesting idea, and reminds me that my mom used a greasy rag on her black wood stove.

  8. Julie in OK says:

    I also have a white porcelain sink that is heavily stained and requires frequent bleachings. This product looks worth the purchase, thanks for your “kooky” post :-) !
    BTW, in our previous house, I had a stainless steel sink very similar to yours and I loved spiffying it up until it shone like yours… ((sigh)) I miss it.
    Blessings, Julie

  9. patti says:

    You motivated me to get up and go clean my ss sink! She’s sparkling behing me now! Thanks!

  10. Jessica says:

    I read your post a while ago. I didn’t think to much about it. Then some time later, I went to the store and was picking up some cleaning supplies. I noticed the Bar Keepers Friend and remembered your post. I picked it up thinking I would give it a try. Wow! This has got to be the best product I have ever used. Thanks for sharing.

  11. Lenay says:

    I absolutely *love* that you shared this. I’m obsessed with my sink being clean, I will be buying some Barkeeper’s Friend and I never heard about the olive oil trick, I will be trying that. Thanks!

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