How to Clean Up Your Cooler with BKF

September 20, 2024

Yes, it’s almost fall, and while it might not be time to put away your cooler, it is time to give it a good cleaning. Whether your cooler is hard plastic, polyethylene, or stainless steel, Bar Keepers Friend can help you clean up the grime of summer off your coolers. Our products shouldn’t damage or dull the finish of a quality cooler. However, we recommend spot-testing a small area of the cooler, such as on the bottom or inside the lid, before using our products on your favorite cooler.

How to Clean Up Your Cooler with BKF

MORE Spray + Foam for a Quick Clean

For everyday quick cleaning or if your cooler has not seen much action, we recommend BKF MORE Spray + Foam. It’s easy to use and works great on multiple surfaces.

All you do is set the trigger to the symbol to spray for regular cleaning or foam for a little deeper cleaning. Spray it on, rub it thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge, and then use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it dry. It’s that easy. If it’s a stubborn stain, let the foam sit for a few minutes before rubbing it off.

Pro Tip: If you use the foam setting, it will stick to the sides without running off.

Use BKF Original Powdered Cleaner for Deep Stains

For older or deeper stains, BKF original powder cleanser might be best.

• Make a paste of Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser and water. Be stingy with the BKF powder. A little dab will do.
• Gently rub it on the surface and interior of your cooler.
• Let it sit for one minute. Don’t leave it on too long: BKF should not be left on the surface for more than one minute. Leaving it on for too long could dull some finishes.
• Wipe away the paste with a soft, wet cloth or paper towel.
• After wiping away the BKF, rinse the cooler thoroughly.
• Shine it clean with a dry rag. I like using a microfiber cloth.

*BKF recommends wearing gloves when cleaning your cooler.

BKF is safe for most non-porous surfaces. It’s not recommended for surfaces that scratch easily. For most normal cooler cleaning, I use Spray + Foam. I have, however, used Bar Keepers Friend Original Powder Cleanser on deep, old stains inside a cooler.

What About Stainless-Steel Coolers?

Some of the fanciest coolers on the market are stainless steel, such as the Yeti V series, which currently sells for $800.00—protecting an investment that large makes sense. Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish contains no harsh abrasives. It’s formulated specifically for cleaning stainless steel and will not scratch or dull stainless steel surfaces. The best part might be that the spray nozzle makes it easy to clean, polish, and shine stainless steel; spray it on and wipe it off – it’s as easy as that!

“Best stainless-steel cleaner!!!! I tried Wegman’s stainless-steel cleaner. Scrubbed very hard but could still see shadows of the long streaks. One wipe with Bar Keepers and they were gone!!!! my stainless steel actually looks better than when I first bought it. Made it look almost like a mirror in five minutes of hardly any effort. I am amazed. Thank you!!!!!” — Linda K.

This review and more can be found at  Amazon Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Cleaner Verified Customer Reviews.

Have you used BKF products to clean your cooler? If so, we’d love to see the results. You can upload your photos here.

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.