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BKF is the Cat’s Meow: Cleaning Pet Areas with BKF

March 10, 2021

Joe loves to watch me work.

We all know Bar Keepers Friend is versatile. It can clean just about anything – but have you ever thought about cleaning pet areas with BKF? Metal dog bowls, cat food bowls, kennels, leashes, and more. Depending on the surface, you can use BKF to clean those items and make them look as good as new.

Pro Tip: It might go without saying, but it’s extremely important to thoroughly rinse all pet-related items cleaned with BKF products. Our recommendation is to wet, wash with mild soap and water, rinse, and wipe dry. It’s better to be safe than sorry.   

If you’re like my wife and me, your pets are part of the family. Nothing is too good for them, including keeping their areas spotless.

Cleaning Pet Areas with BKF

I’ve owned dogs. My favorite was a female mutt I named Kitty. “Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty.” However, for the last twenty years, our home has been shared with cats. So, I thought I’d jump right into one of the dirtiest, grimiest, nasty pet areas—the litter box.   

Here’s our cat Joe helping me write. We have three indoor cats and three litter boxes, which we clean daily and empty monthly. All our boxes are plastic. Modern kitty litter does a great job of keeping much of the urine and feces from sticking to the box, but it still can be a problem. So, we use Bar Keepers Friend. 

When using Bar Keepers Friend on plastic, be careful not to scratch the surface. Do not scrub too hard or use abrasive sponges or cloths. I haven’t seen any scratches from the BKF on our litter boxes. 

How to Use BKF on a Litter Box

  • Empty the box.
  • Thoroughly rinse it.
  • Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser on the wet plastic.
  • Rub the BKF in circular motions with a soft cloth.
  • Let it sit for at least one minute longer for heavier stains.
  • Rinse and wash with mild soap and water.
  • Rinse again and dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.

You can use the above method on plastic pet bowls, toys, and more – just be sure to rinse away all the BKF.  

Metal Dog Bowls & Cat Food Bowls

Despite what the stainless steel name implies, metal dog bowls and cat food bowls are still capable of staining. Food grime and hard water often stain pet food bowls, and they aren’t easy to get rid of. For any stainless steel products, specifically metal dog bowls or cat food bowls, we recommend our Cookware Cleanser & Polish. Although formulated for burned, stuck-on food, this extra strength formula helps rid your bowls of other stains as well – all while leaving a beautiful shine. If you want to go the extra mile, you can spray on our Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for extra shine. It contains no harsh abrasives and is specifically formulated to spruce up stainless steel without scratching or dulling surfaces. It’s even designed to remove oily prints (finger or paw).

IMPORTANT: Regardless of products used, ALWAYS rinse your bowls thoroughly with water before use.

How to Use BKF Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish 

  • Shake product well 
  • Spray directly onto the surface. For more heavily soiled surfaces, let the cleanser sit for one minute 
  • Rinse thoroughly 
  • Wipe along the grain, using a soft, clean, dry cloth (microfiber works exceptionally well) or paper towel 

“Bar Keepers is hands down the best thing for stainless steel and porcelain INCLUDING those stainless dog and horse dishes with rust or limescale” — Hutchy 15 Brilliant Things You Can Clean With Bar Keepers Friend (According to Reviews on Amazon) 

“I use it (BKF) for things I cook with and eat on, so I think it should be fine for the dog’s stuff too. I would just rinse it really well, and maybe wash it with some dawn or something afterward to be safe.” – Reddit – Is barkeeper’s friend safe to use in dog bowls? 

We recommend the BKF Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for any stainless steel pet-related items such as stainless steel dog tags or collars.  

Porcelain Food Dishes

I like Bar Keepers Friend’s MORE Spray + Foam on anything porcelain from the kitchen sink to a pet’s water bowl. It’s easy to use, and it works.  

How to Use BKF More Spray + Foam

  • Shake product well
  • Rotate trigger spray nozzle to ON position
  • Open nozzle flap to choose spray/mist option for horizontal surfaces, or close nozzle flap to choose spray/foam option for vertical or hard-to-reach surfaces
  • Apply product to surface
  • Rub area thoroughly with a cloth or sponge, non-scratch pad, or scrubber
  • Rinse thoroughly within one minute of application
  • Wipe surface dry

If it’s not in Your Pet Store – it’s on Your Way Home! 

BKF products might not be in your pet supply store, but they’re on your way home. You can use our products on dog kennels, pet crates, and pet playpens. You can clean your pet stroller, harness, and even the bridle! Yes, cleaning pet areas with BKF works! 

Whether your pet product is stainless steel, porcelain, or glass, BKF can safely clean it. If your pet has a copper, chrome, or brass tag, BKF will keep it bright and shiny. And yes, we can even keep your plastic litter box clean! 


About the Author

Randy Clark - Headshot

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.

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