The Common Cleaner Mix-Up You Could Be Making — And How To Fix It

There are many cleaners out there that have been used for decades, and you too might have followed in your mom's footsteps by adopting their tried-and-true formulas. In particular, we're talking about powdered cleaners like Ajax, Comet, and Bar Keepers Friend. All are strong cleaning solutions that can tackle various chores, but do you really know which one you should be turning to? While they may seem alike (especially being powders with similar packaging), they do indeed have differences that are easy to miss, meaning you may have been using these cleaning products the wrong way this entire time.

As with anything, it's best to start with the basics. Ajax and Comet contain bleach to give the formulas their extra punch. In addition, they both have an abrasive texture that helps with scrubbing stubborn messes. Bar Keepers Friend, on the other hand, doesn't contain bleach at all. It instead uses oxalic acid as its main fighting ingredient and has a gentler makeup that's less abrasive.

Because of these differences, there are jobs each product is good at and ones they shouldn't go anywhere near when you're completing a deep cleaning checklist. Not to mention, it's dangerous to mix bleach and acid formulas together, since they produce a chlorine gas that can cause a variety of health issues. The best course of action is to keep Ajax or Comet on hand for heavy-duty tasks where bleach comes in handy and a canister of Bar Keepers Friend for surfaces that need a tough cleaner with a milder touch. By keeping your cleaners organized and staying educated on each item's uses and safety precautions, you can easily avoid making this mix-up ever again.

Let's start with Ajax and Comet. If you pick up versions that contain bleach, they'll be great for whitening and deodorizing. They can help eliminate stains, grime, and soap scum from household items like bathtubs, counters, sinks, toilets, tile, and more. Just be sure to read the directions before you use them for a specific chore, as you don't want their abrasives or aggressive chemical formulas to harm your delicate surfaces, including metals, painted materials, and natural stone. Both Ajax and Comet are very affordable cleaning solutions. One difference between them is their smell, with Comet coming in additional scents such as lemon and lavender.

Bar Keepers Friend, with its oxalic acid, works wonders for removing hard water stains, soap scum, and rust. Use it to shine up cookware, metals, glass, and stovetops that have seen better days. Just sprinkle it on and scrub until you reach your desired results. It can even be used to keep your washing machine sparkling clean. However, you shouldn't use Bar Keepers Friend on non-stick pans, natural stone, wood, cast iron, or mirrors. Also, make sure to always wear gloves and test it on a small area first.

You can make a big difference around the house with all three cleaners. But it's important to know their benefits in order to select the best one for whatever chore is on your plate. Once again, just keep your products with bleach (Ajax and Comet) away from ones that contain acid (Bar Keepers Friend), and read the labels to ensure they'll effectively and safely clean your household surfaces and materials. Happy cleaning!