Bar Keepers Friend is an abrasive cleaner that has been used to clean cooking surfaces for years. It’s a great product, but can it be used on cultured marble?
Do not use bar keepers friend on your cultured marble surfaces because it is acidic and can cause permanent staining on the surface of your marble. It is also abrasive which can scratch the surface of your cultured marble over time. What you should be using is special natural stone cleaners specifically made for cultured marble surfaces like floor, countertops, or vanity.
We’ll go over the details on the downsides to using Bar Keepers Friend on cultured marble so you can make an informed decision. I will also share with you a few tips if you insist on using the bar keepers friend, some effective but safe alternatives, and important tips on how to clean and care for your cultured marble surfaces.
1. Bar Keepers Friend Is Acidic
One of the first reasons why you should not use the Barkeepers friend is because it’s acidic. I took a look at a list of ingredients in the barkeepers safety data sheet (SDS) and below are some of the ingredients I found;
The barkeeper friend soft cleanser contains oxalic acid, citric acid, water, nonionic surfactant, lemon or orange scent, feldspar, and it is important to add that the product is not regulated or marked as a hazardous material.
For their Spray & Foam Cleaner, I found just about the same ingredients. One thing that stands out is the acidic content of this product.
The oxalic acid found in this cleaning product is an even more aggressive agent that can etch into your cultured marble surface over time causing permanent staining.
If these two acids aren’t enough for you then there is also ammonia present in bar keepers friend which will also have a corrosive effect on your cultured marble surface down the road.
I would recommend that you avoid using any acidic or ammonia-based cleaners on your cultured marble surfaces because of these corrosive effects and instead go for those with it.
2. Bar Keepers Friend Is Abrasive
There is also another thing that you need to be aware of when using bar keepers friend on cultured marble.
The abrasive content within the product can cause scratches on your marble surfaces over time and if those scratches are not properly taken care of then they will serve as a way for moisture to eventually form stains.
What’s even worse is that the abrasive content within bar keepers’ friends can actually wear away at those scratches and make them more pronounced.
So although it might work for a little while, you will eventually have to deal with the consequences of using this product on your cultured marble surfaces.
With that said I would highly recommend against this as an option for cleaning your cultured marble surfaces. Instead, use the bar keepers friend on the bathrooms counters, floors, and other surfaces that might have water damage.
Remember, we want our marble surfaces to look their best so any type of damaging effect like scratching or etching needs to be avoided at all costs when possible.
3. Bar Keepers Friend Can Dull Cultured Marbles
Another issue when it comes to using the bar keeper’s friend on cultured marble is that it can dull the surface of your cultured marble.
This is because the bar keeper’s friend removes all of the sheens on marble which makes it look less expensive. This is one of the scenarios most people dread when it comes to cleaning their cultured marble.
It can also remove any and all sealant that was applied to the surface of the cultured marble. So be careful when using this product if you have a sealed polished finish.
With that said, I would recommend against using Bar Keepers Friend for cleaning cultured marbles at home as there are plenty of other safe products out there that don’t come with these damaging consequences.
4. Bar Keepers Friend May Leave Behind Residue
Another reason not to use the bar keepers friend on your cultured marble is that it can leave a powdery residue on the surface which may interfere with any future sealant applications. If you’re OCD like me, you might find this a bit annoying.
The powdery residue that is left behind can be difficult to remove, so if you’re not looking for a new project in your day-to-day cleaning routine I would also avoid this cleaner. All in all, I will say that this is not a product that I would recommend for your cultured marble surfaces.
Important Tips For Using Bar Keepers Friend For Cultured Marble
I have had people ask me the very few times the conversation of using bar keepers friend on cultured marble has come up and I know you might be asking yourself the same thing. There are a few precautions you can take when this becomes your only alternative.
If You Use It Don’t Leave It On For Too Long
Always clean the BKF thoroughly and do not allow it to sit on the surface of your marble for too long as this can cause discoloration.
Always Use Bar Keepers Friend In A Liquid State
This is simply because it will be more effective and you won’t get any of the powder residue left on your surface. Also, it is one of the basic instructions for its application and use for best results.
Never Mix The Bar Keepers Friend With Other Cleaners
This could lead to a weakening of the BKF which will not be as effective. Always make sure that you follow all instructions and only use it with water.
Alternative To Using Bar Keepers Friend On You Cultured Marble
There is a lot of household and special cleaners you can get and use for your cultured marble surface.
Hot Water
Hot water comes in pretty handy when it comes to cleaning your cultured marbles. It offers a safe and effective way to remove stains and it will also help with any bacteria that is on your cultured marble surface.
Baking Soda And Hot Water
One of my favorite alternatives is to use baking soda and hot water. I mix a little bit of the powder with water in order to make it into a paste, then apply this mixture directly onto the surface that needs cleaning.
It’s important not to leave this on for too long because it will dry out very quickly and can leave white stains behind if you’re not careful.
Mild Dish Soap
You can also use mild dish soap to clean your marble surfaces. I recommend using the brush that is usually included with it in order to get into all of those deep, nook, and cranny spots.
After you’re done scrubbing down the surface, rinse everything off thoroughly before letting it dry completely because this will avoid any streaks left behind from the soapy mixture drying on top of itself.
It’s important not to leave this on for too long because it will dry out very quickly and can leave white stains behind if you’re not careful.
Again, I’d suggest rinsing everything off well afterward in order to avoid any scratches or marks being made during cleaning time-especially if you have pets!
Tips On How To Clean Cultured Marble
Keeping your cultured marble looking beautiful can be a real challenge. Here are a few tips on how to keep your cultured marble clean from stain, dirt, and gunk.
- -The trick is to not let dirt and grime build-up, since it’s much easier to clean when you only have light stains on the surface rather than set in grease from cooking or something like wine spilled all over-which will require more intensive cleaning procedures.
- Use a microfiber cloth or towel to wipe down the surface of your cultured marble countertop. This will help remove dust and grime from accumulating on its surface, as well as any spills that may have occurred.
- Use soapy water in order to clean up light stains like ketchup or spilled drinks by first blotting at the stain before wiping with a damp rag. For heavy-duty cleaning, you’ll need something stronger than just soap and water and that’s where things get tricky
- If there are greasy substances such as cooking oils left behind after washing off the counters, you can use bar keepers friend for an extra deep cleansing session.
- Pour some of the liquid onto a rag and then clean the counters, using circular motions.
- Rinse off completely with water to avoid any residue left behind that can attract dirt in the future.
- Finish up by drying off your countertops with an absorbent towel before you put away anything for storage or use.