Summer Cleaning Tips From BKF

May 11, 2022

Here are some BKF summer cleaning tips because suddenly it’s that time of year! The sun is out, the rain has moved east, and the outdoors beckons. After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy the sunshine? 

To do this, you’ll naturally want to make sure everything is ready to go. You’ll want to finetune machines, uncover the pool, dig out equipment, and do some summer cleaning. Here are a few Bar Keepers Friend tips for summer cleaning.

Summer Cleaning Tip #1: Spruce Up Your Pool Steps & Siding 

Have you got an above-ground pool? We bet you’re just itching to uncover it, fill it with fresh, clean water, and jump right in. Heck, just thinking about it gets us super pumped. But not so fast! After sitting outside throughout the windy autumn and snowy winter, you’ve probably noticed that the pool siding is less than fresh-looking, and the steps and handrails have lost their luster. 

While grime on your pool siding and rusty handrails won’t necessarily impact your swimming experience, it isn’t exactly pleasant to look at. Additionally, you don’t want your steps and banisters to become so rusted that they end up causing corrosion/deterioration – which is unsafe for everyone. 

How to Clean Your Pool with BKF 

To clean your pool’s siding (often made with aluminum or steel), we recommend using our Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser or Soft Cleanser. If using the Powder Cleanser, create and apply a paste, let sit for 5 minutes (if badly stained), wipe using a hand towel or soft cloth, and rinse with a hose. If you want a cleaner that spreads most easily, use our Soft Cleanser and use the same instructions. We recommend repeating those same steps for your pool steps and banisters. 

If your steps and railings are badly rusted, you’ll want to use more product and leave on a little longer. Just make sure not to exceed 10 minutes. We also recommend a soft cloth to rub the product in, along with some elbow grease.

Summer Cleaning Tip #2: Clean Your Sliding Patio Doors

If you have sliding doors, they’re probably getting a lot more use now that the weather is getting nicer. More folks are going in and out, and many are keeping those sliding patio doors wide open to let the fresh air in. 

Even though spring has sprung, and those doors are getting lots of use, it isn’t too late to show those doors some TLC. Autumn’s wind (and dirt), winter’s snowfall, and spring’s rainy weather have created a perfect storm (pun very much intended) of sliding door windows caked in dirt and unsightly water spots. 

Tracks on Tracks! 

If the unpleasantries of dirt and water spots weren’t bad enough, the tracks of those sliding patio doors are likely filled with gunk from the previous seasons. Grime in the tracks of your sliding door can cause problems with the sliding mechanism. Cleaning out that grime isn’t only about aesthetics. It’s maintenance. 

Water Spots 

To combat water spots on the sliding door, we recommend using Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser. Create a paste using water, rub it into the glass and let it sit for 5 minutes max. Once the five minutes are up, wipe away the soap using a wet cloth or paper towel. Keep in mind that a little BKF goes a long, long way. To prevent post-cleaning residue, use less BKF than you think you need. 

As far as the tracks go on your sliding doors, we recommend our BKF MORE Spray + Foam cleaner to get rid of the dirt and grime that accumulate over time. On top of using the MORE Spray + Foam, we also recommend using a multi-use lubricant like WD-40 to ensure the sliding mechanism works flawlessly. 

Summer Cleaning Tip #3: Clean Your Bicycles

Walking and running are excellent forms of exercise, but there are lots of folks who enjoy bicycling. In fact, it’s an activity that many families enjoy together. 

If you haven’t used your bike in six months or more, the chances are good that it’s collected quite a bit of dust. If you haven’t used your bike in a few years, the chances are good that parts have become rusty. Some mechanisms may even have become stiff and difficult to move. Regardless of your bike’s condition, with a little BKF and elbow grease, your bike will look as good as new. 

For bikes that have been sitting around for over six months, we recommend BKF’s MORE Spray + Foam. Spray (or foam) the cleaner into a soft cloth and wipe the frames, spokes, and handles. Wipe clean with a damp cloth & dry off. If your bike has stainless steel components, you might also consider trying out BKF’s Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for some added shine.

But What if Your Bike Has Been Sitting for a Year or More? 

If your bike has been sitting in the garage for a few years, you’ll need to put in more work. Areas of your bike that are rusty (frame, handles, and spokes) will take extra care. We recommend applying BKF Soft Cleanser, rubbing vigorously with a soft cloth, and rinsing away. Of course, if your bike is REALLY rusty, here’s a pro-tip: repeat the same steps mentioned with our Cookware Cleanser & Polish. The power of 50% more grease-cutting detergents is excellent for helping the rustiest of appliances. Why wouldn’t you use it on your bike too?

As for the mechanisms that make the bike move (gears, chains, cogs.), multi-purpose lubricants can help get your bike moving like normal. If you suspect any major issues with your bike, we highly recommend taking it to a local bike shop! 

Summer Cleaning Tip #4: Prep Your Grill for Summer Cookin’

Last but not least is the almighty backdoor grill. While many folks have already broken out the grill, some folks have been waiting for a special occasion. Memorial Day and Independence Day our standard days to start the propane or light up the charcoal. If you’re one of those folks who hasn’t prepared their grill for the summer yet, now’s the best time.

If you’ve uncovered your stainless steel grill and found that it isn’t in too bad of shape, we recommend using BKF’s Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish to bring back the luster that may have dulled from light dust or dirt that accumulated over the winter. However, if your grill was uncovered through the winter, you might need to put in a little more work.

Getting Rid of Rust 

BKF’s Soft or Powder Cleanser are great options for getting rid of rust and bringing back your grill’s original shine. Always clean with the “grain” or brush lines of the grill’s stainless steel surface.

If the inside of your grill needs some TLC, use a grill brush to get rid of burnt food particles. After that, take the grates and use our Soft Cleanser to ensure they’re completely clean. Just make sure to rinse those grates thoroughly. 

Summer Cleaning Equals Summer Fun! 

Summertime is a great time to be outside and enjoy the sun. BBQ dinners around the grill, pool parties, and family bicycle adventures await. And everything is better when it’s clean!