Bathroom Sink Grime Is No Match For This Common Kitchen Cleaner

Bathroom sinks can get surprisingly grimy. From toothpaste to soap residue to shaving cream, they see frequent use, and their light-colored surfaces tend to show it. If your bathroom sink has more buildup than your regular antibacterial wipes can handle, consider reaching for a container of Bar Keeper's Friend, a powdered kitchen cleaner that can cut through sink grime like nobody's business.

Bar Keeper's Friend was originally designed for — surprise! — bartenders, all the way back in the 1800s. Its main ingredient is oxalic acid, a natural compound that's highly acidic and can cut through rust, stains, and deposits. Over time, the same recipe that was so handy for keeping bartenders' metal tools shiny and clean has also become popular for cleaning home kitchens, as well as bathrooms, appliances, and more. There's seemingly no limit to the things you could be cleaning with Bar Keeper's Friend, and when it comes to bathroom sinks, many people have seen impressive and quick results from just one session with this common kitchen cleaner.

Bar Keeper's Friend can help remove soap scum, hard water deposits, rust, and mineral deposits. It can also make your white sink less yellow. It works on sinks that are made from porcelain, ceramic, brass, copper, or stainless steel. There are now several different forms of Bar Keeper's Friend to try out, including a spray foam, but you can definitely still use the original powder cleanser to clean your bathroom sink.

To make it happen, start by splashing the surface with water. Sprinkle the cleanser on it evenly, and then wait a couple of minutes for the product to work. If there are stubborn stains, you can add some more water to make the Bar Keeper's Friend into a paste. Next, use a damp rag or sponge to gently scrub in a circular motion. When cleaning stainless steel faucets, use a bit of extra water so that the consistency of the cleanser is thinner. Lastly, rinse and wipe down the entire sink with a dry cloth. While you're at it, you can also use Bar Keeper's Friend to clean soap scum from glass shower doors, toilets, and bathtubs. Might as well clean the whole bathroom at once, right? However, be warned that while this stuff is fantastic, you can't use it on absolutely everything. 

Bar Keeper's Friend is safe for most bathroom sinks, which tend to be made of ceramic, porcelain, or metal. However, it's strong stuff, and there are some crucial safety measures to take when cleaning with Bar Keeper's Friend. First, it's not safe to use on granite, marble, or wood: while these likely aren't the materials your bathroom sink is made of, they could be the material of your counter, so be careful. Also, it shouldn't be used on any painted sinks, as it will eat away at the paint. To be safe, if you're concerned about your sink getting ruined, test it on a small area of the sink first to ensure it doesn't damage or stain before using it on the entire sink.

Similarly, if you leave the Bar Keeper's Friend on for too long, you run the chance of discoloring or staining parts of the sink. Only leave the product on your sink for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. If any part of the sink will be difficult to rinse, avoid using Bar Keeper's Friend on it. Finally, make sure to protect your body just as much as you protect your sink: Always use gloves when you work with Bar Keeper's Friend, avoid touching your eyes, and don't let it touch your clothes.