Bar Keepers Friend

Name

Bar Keepers Friend

Legal name

Bar Keepers Friend

Website

https://barkeepersfriend.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Household Cleaning Products

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing (325611), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Hard Surface & Multi-Purpose Cleaners (All-purpose, Floor, Bathroom, Kitchen) (CRADAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stainless Steel & Metal Surface Cleaners & Polishes (CRAJACAF), Dishwashing Products (Hand Dish Soap, Automatic Dishwasher Detergents, Rinse Aids) (CRADAKAF), Heavy-Duty/Industrial-Strength All-Purpose Cleaners (Consumer) (CRAJAMAG)

Keywords

• Household cleaning products
• Rust stain removers
• Institutional cleaning supplies
• Kitchen surface cleaners
• Oxalic acid cleansers

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consumer Cleaning Products: Bar Keepers Friend generates revenue through the sale of cleaning products to consumers via retail distribution and e-commerce channels. The product line includes powder cleansers, soft/liquid cleansers, spray cleaners, and specialty products for specific applications like coffee makers, cooktops, and toilets. Revenue is generated through one-time purchase transactions at various price points across the product range.
2. Institutional/Commercial Sales: The company sells to institutional customers including restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, food processing plants, and marinas through their dedicated institutional sales team, offering wholesale pricing and bulk formulations for commercial cleaning requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bar Keepers Friend manufactures and sells oxalic acid-based cleaning products designed to remove rust stains, mineral deposits, tarnish, baked-on food, soap scum, and hard water buildup from household and commercial surfaces. The product portfolio spans the original Powder Cleanser, Soft Cleanser, multi-purpose sprays, and specialty formulations for stainless steel, cooktops, cookware, coffee makers, toilets, and natural stone. Products are sold through major North American retailers, e-commerce platforms, and a dedicated institutional/commercial sales channel.

Product overview

Bar Keeper's Friend is a household and commercial cleaning products company offering a portfolio of cleaning solutions centered around its proprietary oxalic acid-based formula first developed in 1882. The core product line consists of eleven distinct products: the original Powder Cleanser and Soft Cleanser (the foundational formulations), the Superior Multi-Purpose Cleaner (spray/foam format), and specialized products including Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, Cooktop Cleaner, Cookware Cleanser & Polish, Coffee Maker Cleaner, Coffee Maker Descaler, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, EZ-Flush, and Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish. The products share a common heritage with the original 1882 formula containing oxalic acid derived from rhubarb, and are organized by surface type (stainless steel, cookware, stone/granite) and application (descaling, polishing, stain removal). The company manufactures in Indianapolis and sells through major North American retailers and international distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Original Powder Cleanser The original 1882 powder cleanser formulated with oxalic acid for daily wipe-downs, weekly scrubs, and deep cleans. Cuts through rust stains, tarnish, mineral deposits, and stubborn grease on stainless steel, porcelain, tile, brass, and more without chlorine bleach. For general household and commercial cleaning applications.
• Soft Cleanser Liquid form of the classic oxalic acid formula that clings to vertical surfaces for precise application. Works on stainless steel, glass shower doors, porcelain, and tile, cutting through soap scum, rust stains, tarnish, and mineral buildup without chlorine bleach. For consumers needing a ready-to-use liquid format of the original formula.
• Superior Multi-Purpose Cleaner A 2-in-1 spray and foam cleaner formulated with the same active cleaning ingredients as the powder cleanser but without micro-abrasives. Works on stainless steel, countertops, tile, and more for daily refresh and routine care. Cuts through grease, soap scum, rust stains, hard water stains, and mineral deposits while protecting finishes.
• Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish Formulated specifically for stainless steel surfaces to remove fingerprints, grease marks, and residue without scratching or dulling. Cleans, shines, and protects in one step with a fingerprint-resistant formula that keeps repelling dust and light soils. For appliances, sinks, fixtures, range hoods, and grills.
• Cooktop Cleaner Formulated specifically for glass and ceramic cooktops to remove cooking oils and hardened residue without scratching smooth glass or ceramic surfaces. Works on radiant and induction glass-ceramic cooktops as well as select metal and ceramic cookware.
• Cookware Cleanser & Polish Formulated with 50% more grease-cutting power than the regular powder cleanser to remove baked-on food and discoloration from stainless steel, enamel, and glass cookware. Restores clarity and shine without harsh bleach for cookware that requires extra care.
• Coffee Maker Cleaner Removes oils, tannins, and residue that build up inside coffee makers, pots, thermoses, and travel mugs. Lifts buildup from glass, stainless steel, and internal brewing parts to reduce bitterness and stale odors for better tasting coffee.
• Coffee Maker Descaler Breaks down mineral scale that restricts water flow and brewing temperature on coffee maker water heating elements. Uses a combination of citric acid, glycolic acid, and sulfamic acid to target mineral buildup for monthly maintenance of single-cup brewers, automatic drip machines, and espresso makers.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner Extra-thick formula that clings for extended contact time to dissolve hard water stains, rust stains, and mineral deposits. Features an angled spout for precise application under the rim where buildup forms most. Begins working on contact with no excessive scrubbing required.
• EZ-Flush Glycerin-based lubricant that sinks to the lower portion of the toilet bowl to reduce friction during flushing. Supports consistent flow and helps prevent clogs, odor, and residue. Safe for septic systems, low-flow, boat, and RV toilets.
• Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish pH-balanced cleaner and polish designed for sealed natural stone and non-porous surfaces. Cleans granite, quartz, marble, travertine, terrazzo, limestone, slate, Corian, and other natural stone surfaces without dulling or damaging the finish while enhancing depth and clarity.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• All-CladcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAll-Clad officially recommends Bar Keeper's Friend on their care and use page, stating 'We recommend cleaning your All-Clad with a product called Bar Keeper's Friend.' This is a significant third-party endorsement from a premium cookware manufacturer.
• Le CreusetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLe Creuset recommends Bar Keeper's Friend for cleaning enameled cast iron cookware, stating it 'is also a great option for keeping your cookware looking like new.'
• KohlercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKohler recommends Bar Keeper's Friend for rust removal from stainless steel products, listing it among 'Products to consider for rust removal' on their support pages.
• The Today ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Today Show featured Bar Keeper's Friend in a product review, describing it as 'a great option for keeping your cookware looking like new' and noting that 'Chefs, restaurant workers and more swear by this $3 cleaning powder.'

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust Remover): CLR is the closest direct competitor to Bar Keepers Friend's powder and soft cleansers, both acidic cleaners formulated to remove rust, mineral deposits, and hard water stains from household surfaces. They compete for the same shelf set at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe's.
• Scrub Daddy: Scrub Daddy is a viral, social-media-driven cleaning tools brand that shares BKF's TikTok-amplified discovery model and shelf presence in mass retail. Both target tough-cleaning consumers via organic social content and celebrity/influencer endorsement.
• Weiman: Weiman is a specialty cleaning products brand focused on surface-specific cleaners for stainless steel, cooktop, granite, and appliances, directly mirroring BKF's surface-by-surface product strategy. They compete for the same appliance-cleaning fixture space at major retail.
• Hope's Perfect Stainless: Hope's is a specialty stainless steel cleaner and polish brand directly competing with BKF's Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish SKU. Both are positioned for premium kitchen appliance care and sell through overlapping home improvement retail channels.
• Bon Ami: Bon Ami is a heritage natural powder cleanser competing in the same household cleanser aisle as BKF's original powder cleanser. Both brands emphasize gentle, non-bleach formulations and long-standing American brand heritage targeting similar eco-conscious and tough-cleaning consumers.
• The Pink Stuff: The Pink Stuff is a viral, multi-surface household cleaning paste/cream with similar positioning to BKF as a TikTok-driven, tough-stain remover. Both compete head-to-head in the same specialty household cleanser category with comparable price points and consumer targeting.
• Affresh: Affresh makes specialty cleaners for washing machines, dishwashers, and coffee makers that compete directly with BKF's Coffee Maker Cleaner, Coffee Maker Descaler, and appliance-care SKUs. Both brands sell through mass retail and appliance replacement channels.

Broad incumbents

• Comet (P&G): Comet is the incumbent household scouring powder brand owned by Procter & Gamble. It competes with BKF in the same cleanser category but offers a bleach-based abrasive formulation, leveraging P&G's massive trade marketing budget and shelf dominance.
• Method Products: Method Products, owned by Ecover, is a design-led CPG household cleaner brand sold through Target, Whole Foods, and mass retail. While broader in scope (and bleach-free/natural-leaning), it competes with BKF's multi-purpose cleaner line for design-conscious consumers.
• Ajax (Colgate-Palmolive): Ajax is a mass-market household scouring cleanser from Colgate-Palmolive, directly overlapping with BKF's powder cleanser. As a broader CPG portfolio brand, it benefits from the parent's distribution scale but lacks BKF's specialty surface extensions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TryBKF
• Facebookfacebook.com/barkeepersfriend
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bar-keepers-friend
• Instagraminstagram.com/barkeepersfriend/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@barkeepersfriend
• Pinterestpinterest.com/bkfcleanser
• Xx.com/barkeeperfriend

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bar Keepers Friend