Trying to figure out which cleaner is better—Bar Keepers Friend or Ajax? You’re not alone. Both have been around forever, and both do a solid job cleaning, but they’re not the same.

If you’re wondering which one to grab for your kitchen, bathroom, or cookware, this is for you.

In this guide, I’ll compare Bar Keepers Friend vs Ajax against a number of different factors.

#1 Main Active Ingredient

Bar Keepers Friend’s main ingredient is oxalic acid.

It’s a mild acid that works wonders on rust, mineral buildup, and stubborn stains. That’s why it’s so good at making stainless steel shine and getting rid of hard water spots.

Ajax, on the other hand, is more of a traditional scrubbing powder. Its main ingredients—calcium carbonate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. Some products also have bleach in them.

These make it a strong abrasive cleaner that works great on everyday messes.

#2 Cleaning Strength

Both clean well, but Bar Keepers Friend has the upper hand for tough stains.

Its formula is designed to handle some of the more intense, deep-set stains that you can’t just scrub away. Think of it as the heavy-duty cleaner for tougher messes.

It removes rust, hard water marks, and even tarnish on metals. If you’ve got an old sink with stubborn spots or a glass shower door covered in hard water stains, it’s a lifesaver.

Ajax is great for general cleaning and scrubbing away grime, but it won’t tackle deep stains as well.

It’s better for bathtubs, tiles, and countertops that just need a good scrub—not a stain remover.

#3 Abrasiveness

This is a biggie if you’re cleaning delicate surfaces.

Ajax is rougher. It’s got more grit, which is great for scrubbing bathtubs, tiles, and sinks, but not so great for things like polished stainless steel or glass.

If you’re not careful, it can leave tiny scratches, especially on softer materials.

Bar Keepers Friend is gentler but still abrasive. It has a finer texture, which makes it safer for delicate surfaces. You can use it on glass, stainless steel, and even some cookware without worrying about damage.

If you’re cleaning something that you don’t want to scratch, BKF is the safer bet.

#4 Not Recommended For

These cleaners are great, but they’re not safe for every surface.

Bar Keepers Friend should NOT be used on:

Natural stone like granite or marble (the acid can damage it).
Painted surfaces (it can strip the finish).
Some non-stick cookware (it might wear down the coating over time).

Ajax should NOT be used on:

Glass, mirrors, or polished metal (it’s too abrasive).
Delicate surfaces that scratch easily, like ceramic cooktops.
Anything that has a protective coating you don’t want to remove.

Always test a small spot first if you’re unsure!

#5 Disinfecting Properties

Neither of these products are famous for their disinfecting abilities.

They’re not marketed as disinfectants, so they don’t have the same level of bacteria-killing power that something like bleach would have.

That said, Ajax does have some antibacterial properties due to its ingredients, especially when it comes to cutting grease and grime. It’s good at cleaning surfaces that might harbor bacteria (like kitchen counters), but it doesn’t disinfect to the level of specialized products.

But if you get the Ajax with bleach powder, then it has disinfecting properties.

Bar Keepers Friend doesn’t claim to disinfect either, so if you need a product to kill germs, you’ll want to use something else for that specific job.

#6 Ease Of Use

Both products are pretty easy to use, but Bar Keepers Friend can be a little more involved.

Because it’s often used on more stubborn stains, you might need to scrub a little harder or let it sit for a bit to work its magic. It’s also available in both a powder and a liquid form, so you have a bit of flexibility depending on the mess.

Ajax is super simple. You sprinkle it on, scrub, and rinse. It’s a no-fuss cleaner that doesn’t require much thought or extra steps.

If you’re in a rush and just want to get the job done, Ajax is a time-saver.

#7 Smell

Cleaning products don’t exactly smell like roses but some are worse than others.

Bar Keepers Friend has a very mild scent—almost nothing at all. If you’re sensitive to strong smells, you’ll probably like this one better.

Ajax has a slightly stronger smell, especially if you’re using the lemon-scented or bleach variety.

Some people love it, while others think it’s a bit too much. Either way, the smell tends to fade after cleaning, but it can be noticeable during use.

Also Read: Bar Keepers Friend Alternatives

#8 Prices

Ajax is cheaper than Bar Keepers Friend.

You can grab a big bottle for just a few bucks. It’s affordable and easy to stock up on.

Bar Keepers Friend is a little pricier, but you’re getting a product that’s designed for more specialized cleaning. You won’t need to use as much of it for tough jobs, so the bottle lasts longer.

#9 Eco Friendliness

Eco-friendliness is a growing concern, and both brands have made strides to be more environmentally conscious.

Bar Keepers Friend is pretty neutral - it’s not the most eco-friendly, but it’s biodegradable, which is a big plus. It doesn’t have phosphates or harsh chemicals that harm the environment either.

However, it’s still a chemical cleaner, so it’s not completely green.

Ajax, however, has taken some steps toward being more eco-friendly with certain products.

They’ve reduced the number of harsh chemicals in some formulas, but again, it’s not the greenest cleaner out there.

Should I Get Ajax Or Bar Keepers Friend?

It depends on what you need!

If you’re looking for a basic, affordable scrubber to tackle everyday messes in the kitchen and bathroom, Ajax is a great choice. It’s cheap, easy to use, and works well for general cleaning.

If you need something that can remove stains, rust, hard water build ups, or polish metal, Bar Keepers Friend is the better option. It’s especially useful for stainless steel, glass, and cookware that needs a little extra shine.

Still not sure? Here’s a simple way to decide:

If your goal is scrubbing away dirt and grease, go with Ajax.
If you need to remove stains or restore surfaces, get Bar Keepers Friend.

Either way, both will get the job done—you just have to pick the right one for your cleaning needs!

Bottom Line

The main difference between Bar Keepers Friend and Ajax is that Bar Keepers Friend is better for removing stains, rust, and hard water buildup, and it’s gentler on delicate surfaces like stainless steel and glass.

Ajax is more abrasive, and better at scrubbing and cutting through grease and grime. It also smells better and is cheaper than BFK.

Bar Keepers Friend Vs Ajax (Which Is Better?)