Bar Keepers Friend
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1882
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Bar Keepers Friend firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Bar Keepers Friend industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Bar Keepers Friend is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bar Keepers Friend business model
Business model- 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
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer retail pricing across multiple product forms |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bar Keepers Friend product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use Bar Keepers Friend
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bar Keepers Friend technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Bar Keepers Friend partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- All-CladcoreAll-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 CreusetcoreLe 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.'
- KohlercoreKohler 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 ShowminorThe 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
Bar Keepers Friend competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Bar Keepers Friend social profiles
Digital presenceBar Keepers Friend financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bar Keepers Friend leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Bar Keepers Friend funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bar Keepers Friend M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bar Keepers Friend
What does Bar Keepers Friend do?
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.
Is Bar Keepers Friend a public or private company?
Bar Keepers Friend is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Bar Keepers Friend founded?
Bar Keepers Friend was founded in 1882. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bar Keepers Friend based?
Bar Keepers Friend is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bar Keepers Friend make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consumer Cleaning Products are the primary driver. The others are institutional/Commercial Sales.
Who are Bar Keepers Friend's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust Remover), Scrub Daddy, Weiman, Hope's Perfect Stainless, Bon Ami, The Pink Stuff and Affresh. Broad incumbents are Comet (P&G), Method Products and Ajax (Colgate-Palmolive).
Does Bar Keepers Friend have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bar Keepers Friend.
What industry is Bar Keepers Friend in?
Bar Keepers Friend's product category is Household Cleaning Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAKAG, Hard Surface & Multi-Purpose Cleaners (All-purpose, Floor, Bathroom, Kitchen), with a secondary code of CRAJACAF, Stainless Steel & Metal Surface Cleaners & Polishes. Its NAICS code is 3256 and its SIC code is 2840.