Question & answer

Can You Use Bar Keepers Friend on a Stainless Steel Sink?

Yes. KRAUS names Bar Keepers Friend with a non-scratch pad for minor scratches on its stainless sinks, and the brand sells a spray cleaner for stainless steel. Wipe along the grain, and check for special finishes first.

by the editorial teamupdated November 3, 20262 min read

The short answer

Yes. KRAUS's care guide names Bar Keepers Friend with a non-scratch pad for minor scratches on stainless sinks. Bar Keepers Friend sells a Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish spray: spray it on, wipe along the grain with a soft cloth, and buff with the dry side. It isn't for bronze, copper or brass. Check your sink's care sheet if it has a special finish.

On this page

When a sink maker names a cleaner itself, that's the sort of answer you can rely on. KRAUS's care page mentions it directly, for minor scratches.

How to use the spray

Bar Keepers Friend gives these steps for its Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish:

Spray
Spray the cleaner directly onto the surface.
Wipe along the grain
Use a soft cloth, moving in the direction of the grain.
Buff
Buff with the dry side of the cloth. Repeat if needed.

If it lands on painted cabinets or granite, the brand says to wipe it up with a damp cloth. And it says not to use this one on bronze, copper or brass.

What KRAUS says

KRAUS suggests a fine white 3M Scotch-Brite pad, or a non-scratch pad with Bar Keepers Friend, for minor scratches. It rules out steel wool, wire brushes and abrasive pads, so don't pair the cleaner with one.

Spray or powder?

The instructions above are for the spray. KRAUS just says Bar Keepers Friend, and the brand has other products, so read the label on the one you're holding and follow it. Note that KRAUS rules out cleaners with abrasive powders on its stainless sinks, and pairs Bar Keepers Friend with a non-scratch pad for minor scratches. If you're not sure how your sink's maker sees a powdered product, go with the spray or ask the maker.

Use light pressure, and work along the grain. Blanco warns that circular movements can permanently change the surface. If you have a special finish, read your own care sheet first.

How often

Not as a daily cleaner. KRAUS's weekly routine uses mild, ammonia-free soap, and the daily job is a wipe and a dry. Our cleaning guide has the whole routine, and scratches covers what polish can and can't do.

Other things in your cupboard? See baking soda and bleach.

Asked before buying

Do you have to rinse it off?

The Bar Keepers Friend page we read gives no rinse step for the spray. It says to wipe and then buff dry. In a food sink, we'd rinse with clean water and dry it, in line with KRAUS's routine. Follow the label on the product you have.

Can I use it on a coated or special finish?

Check first. Blanco warns against polishing agents on some of its finishes, such as Durinox, satin matt, natural and linen. That advice is about Blanco's own sinks, but the principle holds: read your sink's care sheet before using polish.