Cleaning the Back-to-School Mess (That the Kids Bring Home)

August 11, 2021

Are you busy cleaning the back-to-school mess that your kids are bringing “back-to-home?” There’s always something to clean during the back-to-school season – filthy sneakers, greasy plasticware, or rusty locks. Here are some of the ways BKF can help with post-school cleanup.

Cleaning the Back-to-school Mess 

How to Remove Stains from Plastic Containers 

Our fans use two BKF products to remove stains from their plastic containers. The old school Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser and our MORE Spray + Foam.

Warning: Although a recent science fair project showed that BKF products are safe for multiple surfaces, some plastics may be etched or dulled by either product. Before cleaning plastics, first test the product on a small, inconspicuous area.

Spray + Foam 

For day-to-day wipe downs, use the spray cleaner function.

To remove stains from plastic containers, use the foam setting:

• Shake the More Spray + Foam before using
• Rotate trigger spray nozzle to ON position
• Apply product to the plastic container
• Gently rub the area with a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge
• Let it sit for one minute, no longer
• Rinse thoroughly
• Wipe the surface dry with a paper towel.

Powder Cleanser 

• Rinse the container and leave it damp
• 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 paper towel.

Pro tip: Be sure to rinse away all the BKF.

Cleaning Your Daughter’s “Elsa from Frozen” Thermos 

Your daughter loves Frozen, and her fav character is Elsa. So, she cherishes her Elsa thermos, but that doesn’t mean little Olivia keeps it clean. That’s mom and dad’s job. We have a surprise for you. Our Coffee Maker Cleaner is the perfect product for cleaning the dried orange juice from the inside of your sons’ Mandalorian mug or your daughter’s favorite Frozen thermos!

• • Add one ounce Bar Keepers Friend Coffee Maker Cleaner for every eight ounces of HOT water needed to fill the thermos or mug
  • Let the solution sit and soak in the thermos for 30 minutes.
  • Thoroughly rinse the thermos
  • Clean with soap and water
  • Rinse again
  • Wipe dry with a soft cloth or paper towel

Get those Sneakers Ready for Gym Class

Sneakers aren’t only for gym class, they’re for everyday use from the classroom to the playground, and they get dirty. Keeping the kid’s footwear clean can be a daily challenge, but BKF can make the task a little easier. Here’s what a few BKF fans had to say.

“For stubborn stains, pour Bar Keepers Friend powder into a container and add a small amount of water to make a thick paste. Wet your shoes and apply the paste to the stained area. Allow the paste to sit for one minute and then rinse it off.” —  Home Steady — How to Clean Sneakers with Bar Keepers Friend. 

“As you know, there is a cure for yellowed soles. And a cure for yellowed mesh. The item is called “Bar Keepers Friend, which re whitens the mesh.” — NikeTalk.com 

“A little magic to the rescue – Bar Keeper’s Friend! I use this all over my kitchen & in all of my stainless pots/pans! For the shoes, I just wet a toothbrush & scrubbed on the Bar Keeper’s Friend. Keep applying/scrubbing till clean. Wipe with water.” — Brighten your white shoes best tip. 

Caution: Although many of our customers have shared how they’ve used BKF products on leather, BKF does not recommend our products for leather. This includes suede. If your sneaker uppers are leather, we suggest you use a product designed for cleaning leather.

Cleaning Your Children’s Rusted Combination Lock 

Most combination locks are constructed from stainless steel, brass, or anodized aluminum. BKF products work on all, but it’s good to test a small spot first, especially painted covers.

Our original powder can be used to clean dirty locks and even remove rust, and our Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish is exactly what you need to clean your stainless-steel locks.

Here’s a video showing how amazing BKF is on cleaning a brass lock. Easiest, Fastest, and Cheapest Way to Polish Tarnished Louis Vuitton Brass Locks!

“I recently discovered the wonders of Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner and had to share how perfectly it worked on these brass locks in case others didn’t know about it! I hope this short video was helpful.” – EuroB.

Warning: BKF will not help your children remember their combination, so we suggest you write it down. 

Cleaning the Back-to-School Mess

Yes, the kids are back-to-school, and they’re back to bringing home the mess. Rusted locks, grimy plastic containers, and muddy sneakers are only part of the mess. Thank goodness BKF can help with cleaning the back-to-school mess !

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.