Bar Keeper's Friend vs. Bon Ami?

[mllesmw]

Hi all,
There are a lot of references to Bar Keeper's Friend on this site -- is Bon Ami considered to be as good? We have several containers of Bon Ami that were left by our house's previous owners, so it would be great if I could count on it as much as so many of you seem to count on BKF...
merci, from bon ami

 

[Andy M.]

Bon Ami if a much finer grit cleaner. It takes a lot more elbow grease to clean a pan with BA than it does with BKF.

 

[mllesmw]

thanks for the help - I knew I could count on this forum to answer quickly!

 

[licia]

If you have FREE bon ami I would use that and if it didn't come clean, then use BKF. I haven't found much BFK won't clean.

 

[CookSource]

BKF has always worked wonders for me !

 

[Sandyj]

I like BKF, too. Just thought I'd add that Bon Ami does not harm the environment. I recently read this, but not sure where - sorry. Is BKF harmful to the environment, do you think?

 

[kimbaby]

I am a die hard bar keepers friend user...

 

[Robo410]

BKF contains oxcylic acid and cleans copper and brass well, as well as other stains etc. Bon Ami is ground up egg shells (silica) and is guaranteed not to scratch. It works quite differently, by polishing, rather than chemical reaction. I keep both in my BRs and Kitchen.

 

[Sandyj]

Thanks for that informtaion Robo410! I'm going through a process of using up whatever cleaning products I have in the house and then I'll just stick to a few simple things.

 

[Jeiel1]

Is bon Ami just as good as BKF for Laundry stains? Please Help...

I've been trying many different home recipies for my laundry stains, but to no avail NOTHING is working. I make my own detergent with Washing Soda, Borax, & Fels Naptha Soap. I REALLY like it for the wash. But for the stains on our families clothes I can't seem to find ANYTING natural that works! I have tried Peroxide, vinegar, washing soda, lemmon juice, and borax mixes. I've tried overnight soaking, 30 min pre-treats, making pastes to scrub before laundering and nothing is working, and I even use vinegar with 2-5 drops of Sweet Orange Essential oil in my rinse water.

I've done research on line and found that BKF, Bon Ami, and Oxi- Boost seem to be the most popular. But it appears that BKF is not 100% natural since it contains oxalic acid(don't know what that is, but researchers say its a chemical). Bon Ami only contains egg shells(all natural, but less abrasive).

So after looking online, both BKF and BA are available on Amazon.com for around $4(which includes shipping), but my local hardware store sells it for $1.99 ea. I will buy them both to see which works better.

I was hoping to get some advice if anyone has tried the Bon Ami vs. BKF for laundry stains, how harmful is the oxalic acid, if the BKF works better and I end up using it instead of the BA. Thanks!!

Nothing in my and I bring simply to the cross I cling.... Have a blessed day everyone!

 

[GotGarlic]

Air contains chemicals, as does water A "chemical" by itself is not necessarily harmful, but can be in large amounts.

Check out oxalic acid on Wikipedia. It occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables; you would have to eat pounds of it for it to be harmful.

 

[Zhizara]

I've had pretty good luck rubbing in a small amount of Dawn type (grease buster) dish detergent on stains.

 

[Dawgluver]

I agree with GG. Oxalic acid is in lots of "natural" stuff.

As far as laundry stains, Oxyclean and Dawn are my go-tos. The Queen of Clean also recs shampoo.

 

[taxlady]

Kinda depends on the type of stain, what will work.

 

[CWS4322]

I always buy BKF when I'm down in the States--haven't seen it here. I love it for cleaning stainless steel.

 

[dennisw]

BKF contains oxcylic acid and cleans copper and brass well, as well as other stains etc. Bon Ami is ground up egg shells (silica) and is guaranteed not to scratch. It works quite differently, by polishing, rather than chemical reaction. I keep both in my BRs and Kitchen.

Egg shells consist entirely of calcium carbonate, not silica. I don't know which, if either, is in Bon Ami.

 

[Cooking Goddess]

Welcome to DC dennis! I just so happen to have a canister of Bon Ami near the computer, so I can list the ingredients. In fact, I'll post the list!

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Welcome to DC dennis! I just so happen to have a canister of Bon Ami near the computer, so I can list the ingredients. In fact, I'll post the list!

It says right there to keep out of reach of children...what are you doing with it?

 

[Cooking Goddess]

I'm careful PF. I make sure I rinse it off my hands thoroughly before I suck my thumb.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Phew! Had me worried there!