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Today we are talking about the best old-fashioned cleaning products that you can still buy today AND work better than anything modern.
Last December, we published this post about old-fashioned skincare tips that actually work. Everyone LOVED this post so much.
If you know me personally, you know I’m giddy about the mid century and anything prior to that. My mom jokes about how much of an old soul I am. I could have lived in the 1950s no problem 🙂
As a chemist, I get even more excited about researching products for this era. What amazes me is how spot on the science was back then for things in cleaning and skincare.
We are happy to finally share this post today and hopefully inspire you 🙂
The Best Old-Fashioned Cleaning Products (That Still Work Better Than Anything New!)
We have tried so many vintage products, but this list is the best old-fashioned cleaning products you can still purchase. I find them online and have each one linked for you!
1. Bar Keepers’ Friend
Readers ask me about this product all the time. It’s old, but it works! And there’s a good reason too. This product dates back to the 1880s. It was invented by a chemist named George William Hoffman. He originally created this and sold to bars in Indiana (this is why it’s called Bar Keepers’ Friend).
Chemistry wise, the MSDS shows active ingredients as feldspar, oxalic acid, and linear sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (DDBSA).
Oxalic acid is a reducing agent, so it is very effective at reversing chemical reactions like rust or tarnish. DDBSA is a very powerful surfactant. Feldspar is a mineral used as an abrasion in cleaning. This combination makes this product a very successful cleaner.
Don’t let these terms scare you though. They sound dangerous, but they are pretty mild compared to most store-bought cleaners. Remember, it is best to use gloves when working with ANY cleaner!!
Here are some popular ways to use Bar Keepers’ Friend (keep your eye out soon for an in-depth post on bar keepers’ friend too!):
- hard water deposits in showers
- scrubbing stainless steel pots and pans
- tire wheels and rims
- rust on tools
- yellowed headlights
And so much more! I will be doing a really thorough post on all the ways you can use this neat product.
2. Bon Ami
Bon Ami was also developed in the late 1880s. Bon Ami features a chick as the logo because their phrase was “hasn’t scratched yet!”
I shared this stovetop cleaner a few weeks ago which contains Bon Ami. I go into the ingredients and chemistry behind this product in the post. It also contains feldspar like Barkeepers’ Friend. Bon Ami was created by J.T Robertson Soap Company as a way to clean things less abrasively than typical quartz products. Interestingly, feldspar was a by product of mining quartz and was always discarded. This company started using this softer feldspar for cleaning.
You can use this in most of the same ways as Barkeepers’ friend. It is LESS abrasive, so it is a great option for bathtubs, countertops, cookware, and outdoor furniture.
A few other ways I use it:
- toilet cleaning
- glass shower doors (more on this later)
- grout
3. Brasso
My husband introduced me to brasso when we were first married 17 years ago. We needed to polish up some brass knobs that were very tarnished. He told me to pick up some Brasso. I was very intrigued how well it worked compared to anything else.
Brasso was invented in 1905. It was used in households specifically for cleaning and polishing all types of metals. Back then, this was a large part of the home!
The MSDS on Brasso shows the ingredients as Ethanol, Oxalic acid, Isopropanol, Ammonium hydroxide, Limestone, and Pumice. As you can see, it also contains minimal ingredients and VERY similar to the previous two products. The different in this polish is the combination of alcohols with ammonia. These ingredients specifically work to remove tarnish in metals.
You can use Brasso for these things:
- brass polishing
- copper polishing
- light fixtures
- pewter, chrome, and stainless steel too!
4. Murphy® oil soap
Murphy oil soap came about in 1910. The leader of the company got the idea from a German immigrant. This product is unique because it is an oil-based soap cleaner making it fantastic for wood especially. Ingredients include Lauramidopropyldimethylamine (this is an anti-microbial surfactant ), Sodium Tallate (this is a safe fatty-acid), Trisodium MGDA (environmentally friendly chelating agent), water, and fragrance.
These minimal ingredients work together to create a great little cleaner. Some of those ingredients sound a little scary, but they are all considered safe. I have some links above to read more information if you like.
This oil soap is great for cleaning ALL types of wood, but it has some other interesting uses too.
- stain remover on clothes
- all-purpose bathroom cleaner
- leather conditioner
- clean outdoor furniture
- DIY insecticidal spray (recipe found here)
5. S.O.S Pads
Everyone I talk to who grew up in the 40s and 50s tells me S.O.S pads were their number one cleaning staple! S.OS. pads came about in 1917, so for 100 years they have been a part of American households. Here is the neat history of S.O.S pads. Also, we recently did a great detailed post on S.O.S pads and all the ways you can use them.
Below are what these work best on:
- stainless steel cookware
- aluminum cookware
- outdoor grills
- tires
- other outdoor surfaces
6. Spic and Span
Now, before we get into this one, I will point out the formula has slightly changed over the years. It no longer contains PHOSPHATES, so it is actually going to be a better product. Back when this was first created, there wasn’t many other options for this type of cleaner, so phosphates were very popular. The formula works the same, but is lacking the phosphates.
I am including this product in my list mainly because it has a neat story.
It was created in 1933 by two housewives! They created this product by combining ground up glue, sodium carbonate, and trisodium phosphate. This product left their kitchen “spick and span” after cleaning which was such a hit, they sold it out of their home for a few years before Procter and Gamble purchased it for $1.9 million. That was huge for back then!
I love stories like this for cleaning products! Like I mentioned, the ingredient list has changed, but still creates the same effect.
I love the history behind the best old-fashioned cleaning products!
We hope you enjoyed this post. Keep an eye out for some more in-depth information on a few of these products. I continue to experiment with them and see how they work!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
FYI use gloves for the S.O.S. pads in half so cut them into smaller sizes for small projects so there is no waste.
I always cut sponges in tiny portions so you can throw away after a few uses!
I think cutting them with dull scissors will actually sharpen your scissors…win- win!
That is a win win!!
what a fun post! You share the best information! I am so excited to try some of these!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Some pretty good products here, some of the old ones are the best
It is amazing how they had such great products back then!
Love this Alexis! Not everything new is an improvement and when it comes cleaning house, doing things the old fashioned way is often the best way.
Totally agree!
What a trip down memory lane! My mom (now in her 80s) used to use Spic and Span to wash the kitchen and bathroom floors. She used Pine-Sol in the toilets. My cousin swears by Bon Ami for cleaning her home – very eco/green person, she is. I use Murphy’s oil soap to clean my wood cabinets… it also cleaned up dried peanut butter from the dogs’ kongs that got on my wood furniture. And those SOS pads could churn up a load of soap!
Murphy’s oil is so good for wood! It’s amazing how great these products still are all! My grandma talks about how she used these in the 50s
Please include Fels Naptha Soap in your discussion of old products that work better then new ones. It is the best stain-removing soap available in the U.S. I shred mine with a cheese grater and mix with water in a jar to make a paste. Rub it into your stains before tossing in the laundry basket.,
Thanks for your comment! We actually have a separate post coming up about Fels Naptha including the chemistry of it, safety, and more 🙂 This is a list of my favorite products
I love this too.
I am also a fan of Arm and Hammer washing soda.
It gets odors out of bath towels and other things. I tried baking soda, washing soda works better with odors. Borax for cleaning.
I remember Mr. Clean first came out.
Still use Bar Keepers friend. I am still using the pots and pans we received as wedding presents 42 years ago. This stuff keeps them looking new.
Also great on garden tools
Washing soda is great for odors! I use it often in laundry based things 🙂
THank you fro this post! I have been looking for Spic and Span in powder form for years; most stores only carry the liquid; I never even thought about amazon; guess who is ordering some in!
Amazon is so great for everything!
Any tips on getting watermarks off of marble counter? Pumice, baking soda did not work.
Bummer!
What type of water marks is it? Is it just constant daily water marks or have they been on there for awhile?
Remember using these as I was growing up, but only discovered Barkeeps Friend when volunteering at the American Legion Post about 20 years ago. Some great products here! Thank you for reminding us!
I got my mom hooked on barkeepers now! She had never used it until
A few years ago! Thanks Kathleen 🙂
I am looking for a abrasive cleaner ( it an old fashion one ) it is gray in color and in a sticks or block form.It will clean the stains marks off about everything without leaving a mark. If any one knows what this is please reply
Hi Betty! I am not sure…was it meant to clean surfaces? or fabrics?
Maybe she’s talking about pumice stone? I use a pumice stone stick to de-shed my short haired dog.
I loved seeing you comment on Spic & Span. I remember when I was a little girl, it was the best floor cleaner of all. I haven’t seen it in the stores in years, but I’ll have to look for it on Amazon.
.
I get it on Amazon! It is amazing for cleaning concrete floors too. My grandmother used to always use Spic and Span, and her house was so clean 🙂
Murphys oil soap can clean brushes used for painting with acrylics or oils…..and can rehab (sometimes) some with dried on leavings. I use it all the time as I paint mostly with acrylics. Make a mixture with a little water and soak…..does take time but has rehabbed some pretty nasty ones LOL.
Murphy Oil Soap is the best! Thanks for the tip!!
Hi,
Can you use the powder form to clean rims and wheels? or do you have to use the spray-foam form??
Thx.
Is this the barkeepers friend? If so, I use the original for everything. This is a powder
Alexis,
Thank you very much for your very informative advise. Yes, it is the Bar keepers friend.
The DIY cleaners you have posted in your website they truly do work! From the “best everyday cleaner to Alcohol/water cleaner for stainless steel (brilliant i tell you!!) to bathroom cleaners with vinegar!” I do a lot of research for everything and I consider my self a very tough judge in terms of results. also, I am sort of a sceptic when it comes to DIY solutions.
Keep up the good work!!!.. 😉
Thanks for sharing! I am happy you enjoy them too!
Thanks for these! I had forgotten all about some of them. I’ve got the gentle wood cleaner on my list now. Cheers 🙂
So many neat products!!
Someone mentioned Pine Sol, another old but effective product. I pour Pine Sol in water and soak the bathroom toilet brushes in it between cleanings. It requires the closed container brush holder, not the one where the brush stands up in a plastic holder and drips all over. Ugh!
Thanks for sharing!
Murphys is also good for pest control on plants. I used it in the Interior Landscape industry.
A cap in a quart sprayer and fill with water and spray the top and underside of leaves to help with spidermites, aphids, scale etc.
Yes it is! WE also have a post about our DIY insecticide with Murphy oil soap. It is great stuff!
Hi Alexis
What is you suggestion for cleaning kitchen cabinets that is grimey with years of oil and dirt? Will Murphy’s Oil be a good product to help dissolve the grime?
Murphy Oil soap is good for this! If it is years of oil and dirt on wood, it will be tough because it can actually set into the grains. If it is a painted cabinet, you can give this a shot to see how it works. Paint is also tricky when it is years for grime
Thank you, Alexis. It is just wood. I wanted to make sure that I am using a product that would not damage the wood because I do not want to paint them. I will be refinishing the cabinets though.
Okay, yes the Murphy Oil Soap should be safe for the wood. I would dilute it according to the instructions on the back. If you feel like it didn’t clean as much as you wanted, you can make another batch and make it a little stronger.