Question 1

Will this get out hard water stains in my toilet? I'm desperate!

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I just did cleaned my hard water stained glass doors and removed a hard water ring from my toilet with Bar Keepers! When you clean toilet - turn off water behind base of toilet. Flush twice and you will have very little water inside the toilet. I generously sprinkled the Bar Keepers around the inside of toilet. It’s powder so it’s dry - then I sprayed some pine sol from a spray bottle to get it moist. (I just love the smell of Pine-Sol, I don’t think it really cleans - maybe disinfects though). I let it sit for 10 minutes. Then I came back and scrubbed the hard water ring vigorously with my toilet brush and all inside for maybe 5 minutes at most. I added a little more Bar Keepers powder and let it sit again for another 5 minutes.  I scrubbed it again with my toilet brush 1 final time. Turned on my water and flushed it all away and the hard water stain is 100% gone! Same for my glass shower doors - just don’t forget to let it sit! Looking for what else to use this on as my toilets and showers are perfect!

Question 2

Is this pure oxalic acid, or are other ingredients added? What percent oxalic?

Accepted Answer

No chance it's pure. "Pure" acid of any kind is going to be WAY too reactive for this kind of product. Percent is probably quite low. Think of vinegar (dilute, around 4-5% acetic acid). Run that up to glacial acetic, say 40%, and it'll take your hide right off. Oxalic acid in low concentrations is going to be a good cleaner for a lot of things (and not others, read directions). But it's important to have the specific product for the job. BKF wouldn't touch the mineral deposits on the inside of my stainless steel kitchen sink. But Lime-Out (similar to Lime-Away, CLR, just way cheaper) took them right off.

Question 3

Is the cleanser better than the polish or no different

Accepted Answer

I don't find any difference. I did find that using just a gloved hand to 'scrub' the pot or pan works better than a sponge or dish rag.  You can feel any food residue that's left, or rather feel the pot/pan smooth right out.  Sounds weird, I know, but it works.  Don't use the cleanser or polish on any mirrored (shiny) surfaces as it seems to leave tiny scratches... I use the polish/cleanser on the inside & usually the bottom, if needed.  I wash the rest with dish soap (it's also a good idea after you rise the polish or cleanser out that you do a light 'wash' with dish soap to make sure you get all the gritty residue from the polish or cleanser off the inside of the pot/pan.  Also, before washing, wet the pot/pan enough so that you can make a paste with the polish or cleanser.  Spread it around & let it sit for a few minutes as that seems to break down the food residue much easier.

Question 4

removes scratches from stainless appliances?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how deep the scratch is and if the appliance has the any coating over the st steel. I would be cautious and consult  owner's manual, websites, store before attempting to remove a deeper scratch.I assume you mean on a large appliance like refrig? Many large st steel appliances like refrigerators, esp the "non-smudge" "no fingerprint" models have a polymer coating over the stainless steel. Any mild abrasive cleanser could result in a cloudy/scratched apearance as that coating is breached. A pure stainless steel appliance should be OK but test an inconspicous place first, let it dry and check it. BKF says that metal, porcelain, plastic and fiberglass should be damp before cleaning and polishing. On pure stainless steel e.g. small appliances like toasters, blenders there is no problem as long as you follow directions (I would check a small area on bottom). St steel appliances I have used it on are dishwashers (sorry I can't remember which brands but they would be mid to top level >10 yrs old by now) and also on a Viking range. Viking says to use pastes/polishes only ~once weekly except for grates and follow the grain of the metal. They specifically name BKF for grates for daily use. There are other cleaners used more on the newer st steel e.g. Wiemans. They make a cream for "deeper"  metal cleaning and wipes, trigger spray and aerosol cans for st steel ( all sold here on Amazon so you might check the product desciption). GE markets thier own wipes. I find these do a great job for polishing and fingerprints. They don't get at rust stains as seen in sinks and some appliances as well as BKF.There are two products here on Amazon: Scratch-B-Gone Stainless Steel Scratch Repair Kit and Rejuvenate Stainless Steel Scratch Eraser Kit. Here is an article on Wikihow http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Scratch-from-a-Stainless-Steel-Refrigerator-Door that mentions using the kits as well as a baby oil/WD40/nylon scour pad. Perhaps you can find best answers from an appliance dealer (there are some who are old family businesses w/ yrs of experience and might do it for you) Good luck!!

Bar Keepers FriendPowder Cleanser (2 x 12 oz) Multipurpose Cleaner, Stain & Rust Remover for Bathroom, Kitchen & Outdoor Use on Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Tile, Ceramic, Porcelain & More

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