PS Advisor: Rotten to the Core

Bar Keepers on Stainless

Do you know if Bar Keepers Friend (www.barkeepersfriend.com), which contains oxalic acid and bicarb, is useful for cleaning stainless?

Paul J. Juettner
Due Professori, Catalina 350 MII
Stamford, Conn.

We’ve not yet tested Bar Keepers Friend on stainless, but we’ve heard good things about it from readers who’ve used it successfully in that application (and to clean stains from fiberglass). It’s bleach-free, but it does contain a small amount of oxalic acid (about 5%-10%). Its pH level is in the same slightly acidic range as lemon juice and vinegar. If you do use it on stainless, be sure to rinse the surfaces well with fresh water, otherwise the oxalic acid will leave a haze on the metal. Also, be sure to keep it away from any adjacent surfaces that are fabric or waxed fiberglass. For an acid-free metal polish, try Miracle Cloth (www.miraclecloth.com), PS’s Best Choice in our last test (February 2009).

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