Magic Erasers

Magic Erasers, or the lesser known, generic term, melamine sponges truly do work like magic.

These seemingly miracle erasers are made of melamine. Melamine is an organic compound with many varieties of uses that are not just for cleaning. These foam/sponges’ structure is high-strength and behaves a lot like sandpaper with an almost microscopic grit level.

Once you get the foam wet with a little bit of water, the little filaments open, and help the sponge’s gritty surface attack grime, soap scum, and stains like crayons & markers and other frustrating messes.

These sponges have some advantages to conventional sponges. Melamine sponges only need water to “erase” the messes. This keeps you from burning through chemical cleaning products. The sponges can also be often used multiple times. Which can be preferable to single use products like paper towels. However, even though these sponges are nontoxic, they are not fully biodegradable.

All of this make these “erasers” a fantastic tool for deep cleaning stubborn, almost impossible messes, like soap scum in your tub/shower. But relying on them daily is not the best tactic, try to save these for the more stubborn messes. Also, be sure to use these on surfaces that will not be damaged by them.

Keep reading to find out which surfaces are safe to use them on and which are not!

Magic Erasers are not “magical” on all surfaces. They can cause damage to some of your surfaces. This is due to the sandpaper like structure. Stainless steel, granite/marble countertops, nonstick pots & pans, high gloss finishes, or untreated or natural wood are some surfaces to avoid using a melamine sponge on.

Using a melamine sponge on stainless steel can damage the finish that gives it the shine and cause it to dull over time. Similar can happen using it on granite or marble. The melamine foam can cause scratches or even damage the sealant that protects the countertops and cause worse damage in the future.

Using the Magic Erasers to remove stubborn stuck on food or grease from your pots & pans may be tempting. But doing so is likely to cause damage to the cookware’s nonstick coating.

Do you notice a theme going on with these “erasers?” They damage many treated or finished surfaces. Same goes with the glossy surfaces. For example, your car’s exterior. Using these sponges on your car to remove stains and dirt can cause it to dull over time. You can use melamine sponges on a (non-glossy) painted wall or other surfaces. Try to avoid using them on untreated or natural finished wood, however. Using them on surfaces, like wood paneling or stained furniture will likely damage the finish or could even scratch the wood.

Now that you know which surfaces NOT to use Magic Erasers on, you may be asking, what CAN you use them on?! Marks & stains, and grit and grime are excellent reasons to use a melamine sponge. If your toddler colors you a masterpiece on the wall, you get scuffs on your baseboards, or if you spill some red wine or other dark liquid on your countertop (depending on the type of counter), a melamine sponge will save the day! These are also great for grit and grime build up. Such as greasy stovetops, gunked up microwaves, grime in showers/tubs and even soap scum on shower doors!

While using melamine sponges you may want to wear gloves. They are nontoxic, but, their abrasive structure may be rough on your skin.You also always want to spot test before going full force on cleaning an area. Just to make sure it will not damage what you are cleaning. Water is what activates them and helps them breakdown dirt and grime, so keep them wet for best results.

Check in regularly for more cleaning tips and stories & be sure to follow KD.Cleans on Instagram & Facebook!

-Kate

Founder of KD Cleans.