FOOD · POSITIVITY · KINDNESS
Powder Cleanser
6
Before you read: When you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I'd be happy to use in my own kitchen.
Which one should you buy?
For burnt-on marks and rainbow heat stains on stainless steel pans, Bar Keepers Friend is the one to have, as long as you use it wet, rinse it quickly and keep it off the surfaces it can damage.
Pick | Why | Price |
My pick Bar Keepers Friend powder (2 x 12 oz) | Shifts burnt-on food, heat tint, rust spots and hard-water marks from stainless steel. Two cans last a long time. | About $17 (October 2026) See it on Amazon |
Step up Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser | The same idea as a ready-mixed liquid. No dust to breathe in, and easier to spread evenly. | Varies Check the price |
A good stainless steel pan will last you a lifetime, but it won't stay pretty without a bit of help. Sear a steak or reduce a sauce and you'll get brown, burnt-on marks and that blue and gold rainbow tint from the heat. None of it hurts the pan. It just looks tired.
A sprinkle of Bar Keepers Friend and a minute of elbow grease brings the shine back. It's one of those cheap little products that makes you feel like a proper chef. But it's stronger than it looks, so please read the safety bit before you start scrubbing everything in sight.
What's in the can
Bar Keepers Friend isn't just a scouring powder. It has three jobs going on at once:
Oxalic acid (roughly 8 to 9 percent). This is the clever part. It dissolves rust, mineral deposits and the heat tint on stainless steel.
A fine, mild abrasive. It gently scrubs off burnt-on food without gouging the metal.
A detergent that lifts grease.
Because it's an acid, it can irritate your skin and eyes, and it reacts badly with bleach and ammonia. Because it's an abrasive, it can scratch soft or coated surfaces. That's why the surface list below matters so much.
Bar Keepers Friend at a glance
What | Detail |
Pack | Two 12-ounce cans of powder |
Active ingredient | Oxalic acid, plus a mild abrasive and a detergent |
Best on | Stainless steel pots and pans, rust spots, hard-water marks, soap scum |
Contact time | Rinse off within about a minute |
Protect yourself | Wear gloves; use it wet, never dry |
Never mix with | Bleach, ammonia or other cleaners |
Where you can and can't use it
Good on
Stainless steel pots, pans and sinks
Rust spots and hard-water marks on suitable surfaces
Other surfaces only after you've tried a hidden spot first
Keep it off
Nonstick pans. It can scratch the coating off.
Cast iron, seasoned or not. It strips the seasoning. If you have enamelled cast iron, check what the pan's maker recommends.
Anodised aluminium pans.
Natural stone, including granite and marble, and polished stone. For quartz, check with your countertop maker.
Wood, painted surfaces, fabric and leather.
Mirrors, gold, silver, pewter and lacquered metal. The maker says sterling silver is the exception.
Coloured grout.
Stainless steel appliance fronts. It can damage fingerprint-resistant coatings. Use a stainless steel cleaner instead.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
Good for you if
You cook in stainless steel and want it shining again
You fight hard-water marks or rust spots
You're happy to wear gloves and rinse straight away
Skip it if
Your pans are nonstick, cast iron or anodised aluminium
You want something for stone worktops or appliance fronts
You'd rather not handle a powder: the Soft Cleanser is easier
How to get the best from it
Wet first, always
Rinse the pan with water so the surface is wet, then sprinkle on a little powder. Never use it dry: you'll breathe in the dust and it scratches more.
Make a paste and work quickly
With gloves on, rub the paste around with a damp sponge or soft cloth, following the grain of the metal where you can see it. Most marks lift in under a minute.
Rinse within a minute
Don't leave it sitting. Left too long, it can discolour or mark the surface. Rinse thoroughly, then dry the pan. If you see a white film, there's still some cleanser on there; rinse again.
Stubborn marks
Better to do two short rounds, rinsing in between, than one long soak.
Safety
Wear gloves. Every time, not only if you have sensitive skin. The acid irritates.
Keep it out of your eyes. Don't rub your eyes while using it. If it gets in, rinse with plenty of water for several minutes.
Never mix it with bleach. An acid plus bleach can release chlorine gas.
Never mix it with ammonia (some glass cleaners contain it). That makes toxic fumes too.
Rinse away other cleaners first before you use it on the same surface.
Open a window and keep it out of reach of children.
The one rule
One cleaner at a time. If you ever mix products by accident and feel your eyes burning or your head going light, get out into fresh air and, in the US, call Poison Help on 1-800-222-1222.
Questions people ask
Is Bar Keepers Friend safe on stainless steel pans?
Yes, that's what it does best. Use it wet, rub gently, and rinse within about a minute.
Can I use Bar Keepers Friend on cast iron?
No. It strips seasoning from cast iron. Scrub cast iron with hot water, a brush and a little soap instead.
Can I use it on granite or quartz countertops?
Not on granite, marble or other natural stone. For quartz, check with whoever made your countertop first.
Is Bar Keepers Friend toxic?
It contains oxalic acid, which irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves, don't breathe in the powder, rinse surfaces well, and never mix it with bleach or ammonia.
Why is there a white film on my pan after cleaning?
It needs a better rinse. Run plenty of water over it, wipe, and dry.
Use it on
My Stainless Steel Frying Pan. For the outside of your appliances, use my Stainless Steel Cleaner instead.
Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.