I’ve been scrubbing sinks, tubs, and stovetops for years, and Comet has always been a go-to in my cleaning arsenal. That gritty, green-powdered canister was a staple in my kitchen, promising to obliterate stains and grease with a single sprinkle.
But lately, I’ve been questioning its place in my home. The harsh chemicals, the abrasive texture, and that faint chlorine whiff got me thinking: is there a better, safer, or more eco-friendly way to get the same sparkling results?
So, I set out to explore alternatives to Comet cleaner, testing a mix of store-bought products and DIY solutions to find what works. Here’s what I discovered, laid out in a way that’s easy to follow and, frankly, kind of fun to try.
Why Look For Alternatives?
Before I get into the alternatives, let’s talk about why I even started this quest.
Comet’s a powerhouse, no doubt—it’s been around since the 1950s, cutting through grime like nobody’s business.
But its main ingredient, calcium carbonate, is abrasive, which can scratch delicate surfaces like glass or polished stainless steel.
Plus, it contains chemicals like sodium carbonate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate (say that five times fast), which can irritate skin or lungs if you’re not careful.
I wanted options that were gentler on my surfaces, my health, and the planet, without sacrificing that deep-clean magic.
Spoiler: I found some great ones.
Store-Bought Alternatives That Pack A Punch
First, I looked at what’s on the market—products that could match Comet’s grit but with a twist. Here are the standouts I tried, each with its own vibe and cleaning superpowers.
- Bar Keepers Friend: The Polished Contender
I grabbed a can of Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) because it’s often mentioned in the same breath as Comet.
This powder cleaner uses oxalic acid as its star player, which is fantastic for tackling rust, tarnish, and tough stains on metal surfaces.
I tested it on my stainless steel sink, which had some stubborn coffee stains from my morning pour-overs.
A quick sprinkle, a damp sponge, and about 30 seconds of scrubbing left the sink gleaming like it was brand new.
What I love about BKF is its versatility—it’s safe on ceramics, stainless steel, and even glass if you’re gentle. Unlike Comet, it’s less abrasive, so I didn’t worry about scratching my surfaces. However, it’s not perfect.
The oxalic acid can be harsh on skin, so I wore gloves, and it’s not as eco-friendly as I’d hoped. Still, it’s a solid choice if you want something that feels like Comet but with a bit more finesse.
- Bon Ami: The Gentle Giant
Next up was Bon Ami, a cleaner that’s been around since the 1880s and proudly boasts a “non-toxic” label. Its main ingredient is feldspar, a softer abrasive than Comet’s calcium carbonate, paired with biodegradable surfactants.
I used it on my ceramic stovetop, which had some baked-on grease from a lasagna mishap. With a little elbow grease, the stains lifted, and the surface felt smooth, not scratched.
Bon Ami’s big selling point is its eco-cred—it’s free of chlorine, dyes, and fragrances, which made me feel better about using it around my pets. It’s not as aggressive as Comet, so it took a bit more scrubbing for heavy stains, but for everyday cleaning, it’s a winner.
Plus, the retro packaging looks cute on my counter.
- The Pink Stuff: The Viral Sensation
I’d seen The Pink Stuff all over social media, with its bright pink paste promising to tackle everything from grease to rust.
This cleaner, technically called Stardrops The Pink Stuff, is a mildly abrasive paste made with baking soda, quartz, and natural surfactants.
I decided to put it to the test on my oven door, which had some baked-on grease spots from a pizza night gone wrong.
I scooped a small amount onto a damp sponge, gave it a good scrub, and was impressed—the grease lifted off with less effort than I expected, leaving the glass sparkling.
What makes The Pink Stuff stand out is its creamy texture, which feels less harsh than Comet’s gritty powder. It’s marketed as non-toxic and biodegradable, which is a plus for eco-conscious folks like me. I also tried it on my bathroom sink, and it handled hard water stains like a champ.
However, it’s not as aggressive as Comet for super tough jobs like rust, and the paste can be a bit messy to apply. Still, its versatility and gentle formula make it a fun addition to my cleaning routine.
- Ajax: The Classic Competitor
Next, I grabbed a canister of Ajax, a powder cleaner that’s been around as long as Comet and often sits right next to it on store shelves. Ajax uses calcium carbonate as its main abrasive, just like Comet, but it’s formulated with a bit more sodium carbonate for extra grease-cutting power.
I tested it on my stovetop, which had some stubborn burnt-on sauce splatters. A sprinkle of Ajax, a wet sponge, and a minute of scrubbing left the surface shiny and smooth.
Ajax feels like Comet’s twin in many ways—it’s gritty, effective, and great for heavy-duty jobs. But it’s slightly less abrasive, which I appreciated on my ceramic cooktop, and it has a milder scent. The downside?
Like Comet, it contains some harsher chemicals, so I wore gloves and kept the area ventilated. It’s not as eco-friendly as Bon Ami or The Pink Stuff, but if you need a budget-friendly, no-nonsense cleaner, Ajax gets the job done.
- Method All-Purpose Cleaner: The Spray-and-Wipe Star
For something completely different, I tried Method’s All-Purpose Cleaner, a liquid spray that’s plant-based and biodegradable.
I was skeptical—could a spray really match Comet’s scrubbing power?
I used it on my bathroom tiles, which had some soap scum buildup.
A few spritzes, a quick scrub with a non-scratch sponge, and the tiles were spotless.
The lavender scent was a nice bonus, unlike Comet’s chemical tang.
Method’s not gritty, so it’s not ideal for super tough stains like rust, but it’s perfect for lighter jobs and surfaces you don’t want to risk scratching. It’s also safe for most surfaces, from countertops to glass, and I loved that it’s cruelty-free and comes in recyclable bottles.
It’s my go-to for quick cleanups when I don’t need the heavy artillery.
DIY Alternatives: Getting Crafty In The Kitchen
Store-bought cleaners are great, but I’m a bit of a DIY nerd, so I rolled up my sleeves and experimented with homemade alternatives. These are budget-friendly, customizable, and surprisingly effective.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: The Classic Combo
I started with a mix of baking soda and white vinegar, which is like the peanut butter and jelly of natural cleaning.
I sprinkled baking soda on a greasy oven rack, then sprayed it with vinegar from a spray bottle.
The fizzing action was oddly satisfying, like a science experiment in my kitchen.
After letting it sit for 10 minutes, I scrubbed with a sponge, and the grease came off with minimal effort.
This combo is gentle yet effective, especially for stainless steel and ceramic. Baking soda’s mildly abrasive, and vinegar’s acidity cuts through grime. It’s dirt-cheap and safe enough to use around kids or pets.
The downside? It’s not as fast as Comet for heavy-duty jobs, and you need to rinse thoroughly to avoid a powdery residue. Still, it’s my favorite for most kitchen and bathroom tasks.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda: The Stain Slayer
For tougher stains, I mixed hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) with baking soda to form a paste. I tried this on a rusty patch in my bathtub, spreading the paste and letting it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. The rust vanished, and the tub looked pristine. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant, which is a bonus for bathroom cleaning, and baking soda adds just enough grit to tackle stubborn spots.
This mix is great for targeted stain removal, but it’s not an all-purpose cleaner like Comet. Also, hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabrics, so I was careful around towels. It’s a powerful, budget-friendly option for those “oh no” moments when stains seem unbeatable.
- Castile Soap and Essential Oils: The Scented Solution
Feeling fancy, I whipped up a cleaner using liquid castile soap, water, and a few drops of tea tree essential oil for its antibacterial properties. I mixed ¼ cup of castile soap with 1 cup of water and 10 drops of oil in a spray bottle.
I used it on my kitchen countertops, which had some sticky juice spills. A quick spray and wipe, and the counters were clean and smelled amazing.
This solution is super gentle, so it’s not for heavy scrubbing, but it’s perfect for daily maintenance. The essential oils add a customizable scent (I’m partial to lavender, too), and castile soap is biodegradable and non-toxic. It’s my pick when I want my home to feel spa-like while staying clean.
Comparing The Options: What Worked Best?
After testing these alternatives, I realized there’s no one-size-fits-all replacement for Comet—it depends on the job.
Bar Keepers Friend is my pick for tough stains on metal or ceramic, Bon Ami for eco-conscious everyday cleaning, and Method for quick, gentle wipes. On the DIY side, baking soda and vinegar are my all-purpose heroes, hydrogen peroxide paste for stubborn stains, and castile soap for a feel-good clean.
Each has its strengths, and I’ve started mixing and matching based on the task at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You’ve got plenty of options! Bar Keepers Friend is great for tough stains on metal or ceramic, Bon Ami for a gentler, eco-friendly scrub, and Method’s All-Purpose Cleaner for quick, non-abrasive jobs. For DIY, try baking soda and vinegar for all-purpose cleaning, hydrogen peroxide paste for rust, or castile soap with essential oils for a mild, scented spray.
A solid homemade Comet alternative is a baking soda and vinegar mix. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface, spray with white vinegar, let it fizz for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse. For tougher stains, mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide into a paste, apply, let sit for 15 minutes, and scrub. Both are cheap, natural, and effective.
Not quite. Both are powdered cleaners, but Bar Keepers Friend uses oxalic acid, which is great for rust and tarnish, while Comet relies on calcium carbonate for abrasion and chlorine-based chemicals for stain removal. BKF is less abrasive and better for delicate surfaces, but Comet’s more aggressive for heavy grime.
Comet’s main ingredient is calcium carbonate, a gritty abrasive that powers its scrubbing ability. It’s paired with chemicals like sodium carbonate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate for extra cleaning punch, but these can be harsh on skin and surfaces.
Wrapping Up
My journey to find Comet cleaner alternatives was a game-changer. From the gritty power of Bar Keepers Friend and Ajax to the eco-friendly charm of Bon Ami and The Pink Stuff, plus the DIY magic of baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap, I’ve got a whole new cleaning playbook.
Each option brings something special—whether it’s tackling rust, keeping things green, or adding a spa-like vibe to my kitchen. Ditching Comet doesn’t mean sacrificing a sparkling home; it’s about finding what fits your needs, surfaces, and values. So, grab a sponge, try these out, and make cleaning your own kind of adventure.