Bar Keepers Friend, My Dad, and Father’s Day

June 18, 2025

So, what do Bar Keepers Freind, my Dad, and Father’s Day have in common? Last Sunday was Father’s Day. I thought of everything my father did for me as I grew up. He taught me how to read, throw a ball, and write a poem. Did I mention he was funny? Yep, he helped me develop my sense of humor. He demonstrated how to stand up against prejudice and showed me what work ethic was. He seldom sat still. Whether it was our Mom and Pop 7-11 convenience store, Lark Foods, or home, he was always doing something.

Bar Keepers Friend, My Dad, and Father’s Day

He shared great books with me. We both loved John Steinbeck. We sang songs, mostly Frank Sinatra and Holiday songs, and he did something else I appreciate and thank him for.

You see I love working with Bar Keepers Friend. I only work with organizations that I respect, where I think I’m a good fit, and it looks like fun. BKF fits all three. My Dad introduced me to BKF. He used it at home, at our store, and we stocked it for sale in the store. So, how did Dad use it?

In the Store

My father believed a spotlessly clean store was essential. For example, we mopped the floors every night after closing. Dad used BKF to clean everything: shelves, signs, and glass. He kept a can in the bathroom and another at the counter. He used BKF to clean the old-timey cash register.

On His Car

Dad also used BKF on his vehicles. He’d clean the bumpers, wheels, and tires on the 63 Ford Falcon Sation Wagon he used to haul groceries from the wholesale warehouse. I think he used it all over on his 1965 Chrysler Newport, the longest 2-door ever.  

In the Garage

There were plenty of ways he used it in the garage. He’d clean up spills and stains on the concrete floor, clean tools, and even the lawn mower.  

But Wait, There’s More!

Dad cleaned his charcoal grill, and when aluminum baseball bats became popular in the 1970s, he used BKF to clean them (he coached Little League for more than a decade). 

What Didn’t Dad Do with BKF?

It’s almost a case of what didn’t my Dad clean with BKF. I know he broke the rules and cleaned things not recommended by BKF to clean. I’m sure he cleaned our old metal outdoor chairs and our mailbox with it.

Dad taught me a lot. I think of him and miss him daily. Every time I use Bar Keepers Friend, I remember he was the one who showed me what it could do. Thanks, Dad.  

How did your father use Bar Keepers Freind? Did he show how and where to use BKF? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today!

About the Author 

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.