Wow.

[netmouse]

I just cleaned the kitchen sink with a cleanser we found at my grandmother's house called "Bar Keeper's Friend." Based on the smell, I believe the warning not to get it in your eyes, but using it is worth the risk - this stuff kicks Soft Scrub's ass! It easily returned the sink to a shiny white. I tried it on the rust stains in my bathroom sinks as well, and it did a respectable job there too. It takes a little extra work to rinse it cleanly off, but I think I've found a new favorite cleanser.

Comments

[encorecrazay.livejournal.com]

I've been using it for 20 years.

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

Hells, yes. BKF has oxalic acid in it, IIRC, and it is *amazing* at cleaning up metal, among other things. Careful using it on porcelain, enamel, etc, as it *will* scratch the crap out of it if you're not watching.

A kinder, gentler version is Bon Ami, for items that are a bit more delicate.

[arkaycee.livejournal.com]

Hearty agreement both on Bar Keeper's Friend for the occasional heavy stuff, and on Bon Ami for the less so.... also LimeAway is nasty as I recall but really does its job where needed, though I've not used it in decades.

[encorecrazay.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention something that was recommended by a cleaning expert is

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<a href+http://www.lastotallyawesome.com/index.html>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Forgot to mention something that was recommended by a <a href=http://www.healthyhousekeeper.com/>cleaning expert</a> is <a href+http://www.lastotallyawesome.com/index.html>L.A. Totally Awesome Cleaner</a>; you can find it at some dollar stores for $1.98. Better than 409.

[stardustgirl.livejournal.com]

My advice to a "T".

Also, if you start running into goopy scummy generally nasty stuff that you'd typically use 409 or Fantastik or similar, try a product called Krud Kutter. It even gets soot off of stuff and saved one friend from having to repaint a wall after a candle ran amok.

[(Anonymous)]

My favorite under-the-sink substance.

[mistrtoad.livejournal.com]

If you use it for any extended time, be sure and use rubber gloves. I cleaned a set of copper cookware that had never been cleaned, and it took about half an hour for the job. Two days later my fingers were nice and shiny. Basically, I got etched.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I did use rubber gloves, but thanks for the warning. :)

Barkeepers

[(Anonymous)]

And, if you happen to burn a pan, just sprinkle a liberal coating (cover the botton of the pan) with Barkeepers then gently add some hot water and let it soak for a few hours (I do it overnight). It makes cleaning the pot a lot easier! If it's really burned (black) you might redo the process, but hand scrubbing & some elbow grease with more Barkeepers usually gets it all! If nothing else you'll remember not to burn anything again!