September 14, 2023

10 Ways to Use a Magic Eraser at Home

We adults readily believe in magic, especially when it comes to solving complex issues. Cleaning stubborn stains is one of those adult pains. Thanks to Heaven, there is a solution, and it is so magically unbelievable that we scream in exaltation like kids when we see it in action. We are talking about the Magic Eraser, a melamine sponge that quickly eradicates versatile messes, from crayon scribbles on walls and hard water stains in the bathroom to burnt-on kitchen grease. And all of this without any cleaning products involved, just water! While the Magic Eraser still has some caveats, which will be covered in this post, the list of home cleaning tasks it is up to is overwhelming.      

What is the Magic Eraser?

The Magic Eraser is an iconic product by the Mr. Clean brand that has already become a household word for sponges made from melamine foam. Soft and marshmallow-looking when dry, this magic sponge gains fantastic abrasive properties when wet. It is able to quickly absorb and drag out all sorts of impurities from literally any surface. However, not all surfaces survive the contact, so ensure that you read our “Magic Eraser Precautions” paragraph.

You probably have heard of melamine products before (kitchenware, furniture, etc.). Because melamine is neither biodegradable nor compostable, you should use and dispose of it responsibly. One sponge can serve you very long until it wears out completely.

How to clean with the Magic Eraser?      

To activate the melamine sponge’s cleaning superpower, just slightly wet it with water. You do not even need to use cleaning supplies with it. Water makes the melamine foam structure hard and abrasive enough to scrub away any dirt as sandpaper would do but much more delicately. 

Magic Eraser precautions

The melamine sponge’s cleaning effect is so overwhelming that it is easy to overdo with it and, together with dirt, remove some surface. Melamine sponge can be too aggressive on delicate surfaces, so before rushing to try this super tool everywhere in your home, read these Magic eraser don’ts first!

1. Do not use this sponge dry. The drier, the more abrasive it is.
2. Wear rubber gloves when working with the Magic Eraser! (Unless you want that deep mechanical peeling effect on your hands).
3. Test it in an inconspicuous place first. If unsure, it is always better to play safe because the Magic Eraser simply works, and you won’t be able to reverse its action.     

Surfaces you should never use the Magic Eraser on

1. Car paint. Never use a melamine sponge on glossy painted surfaces. Melamine foam will simply dull the paint or, worse, peel it off.
2. Natural stone (marble or granite) counters. The stone will withstand the Magic Eraser, but the shiny sealant won’t, leaving you with dull, unsightly spots.
3. Nonstick cookware. The melamine sponge is not like a regular sponge, but better. Its abrasive structure may scratch the nonstick coating, rendering your expensive cookware useless and harmful.
4. Stainless steel. This material seems durable, but it also has a glossy finish that can be ruined by the Magic Eraser’s sandpaper effect.
5. Fine jewelry and clothing. While you may find many tips on cleaning silver and removing stains from clothes with a melamine sponge, we do not recommend using it on fine, delicate products because the Eraser can ruin the sheen.
6. Wood furniture, paneling, and floor. The melamine sponge can peel off wood finish that protects wood furniture and grants it its luxury sheen. So, if using this sponge in your kitchen is so tempting, test it in some hidden place first.
7. Screens. Whether it is a TV or laptop screen, it is better to clean it with a soft tissue rather than the melamine sponge, which may scratch the screen and ruin its anti-glare finish.

10 ways to use the Magic Eraser around the home

1. Remove fingerprints, smudges, and scuffs from walls

All activities taking place within the walls of our homes eventually leave unsightly marks on the walls. Be they the oily fingerprints of our little ones, marks left by pets, or scuffs made by bags or shoes, the Magic Eraser helps to restore the purity of your walls as if they were newly painted.

2. Erase crayon, pen, or permanent marker scribbles

If you have kids, you know the pain. A wet melamine sponge helps erase the mischievous artwork from walls and furniture. Just make sure you make a spot test first.

3. Eliminate grime on baseboards and light switches

The Magic Eraser helps you effortlessly get rid of gunk and grease accumulated on baseboards and light switches. It is especially helpful in the kitchen and bathroom where, due to high humidity and close contact with organic matter or cosmetic products, especially in new York City, these items get covered in a yucky sticky film.

4. Say goodbye to rust marks left by metal items

If you were wondering how to remove those ugly ginger stains left by a metal soap dish or a toothbrush holder on a white ceramic sink, the Magic eraser will do the trick.

5. Scrub away glue left by stickers

Stickers are useful things, and they simplify our lives a lot, but you wish there was an easier way to remove the gummy residue they leave. Eureka! The Magic Eraser easily copes even with the most stubborn glue in a blink.

6. Get rid of clothes stains

The next time you have grass, coffee, or ketchup stains staring at you from your jeans or tablecloth, blot them with the wet Magic Eraser (do not rub the stain!) and then wash the item according to its care label.

7. Cleaning buildup from keyboards, trackpads, and phone cases

We use them so hard that they get covered with a yucky goo from our fingers, which is actually a mix of dust, sweat, skin oil, dead skin cells, and oils from food and cosmetic products. The Magic Eraser tackles the gunk easily, but ensure you it is not too wet to not harm your gadget. Some people say it even removes scratches from phone screens.

8. Keeping your white shoes tidy

White sneakers or Keds are cool and sexy, but constantly scrubbing off those scuffs and grass stains isn’t. With the help of a wet melamine sponge, restoring the whiteness of your favorite pair will be a  breeze.  

9. Cleaning appliances of crud

While the melamine sponge is not a good idea to use on stainless steel or painted appliance surfaces, it works great on many other parts of appliances:

• Tidying up the fridge and microwave interior
• Removing gunk and grease from appliance handles
• Cleaning the hot plate of your coffee machine
• Removing styling product buildup from the flatiron or curling wand
• Getting rid of burnt-on food and oily film on oven glass, glass cooktop, and glass baking dishes.

10. Sprucing up your bathroom

The bathroom is where the Magic Eraser can show its best, from restoring your old bathtub and shower curtain to removing that stubborn soap scum and hard water residue. All you need is to dampen and squeeze it, and the tool is ready to clean your bathroom. A light scrub helps erase mildew from a shower curtain, refresh the grout, and restore your tiles’ pristine gleam by eradicating the hard water stains. The sponge helps easily remove the soap and hard water residue from shower doors, making them look new again.

The list of Magic Eraser’s heroic deeds does not stop here. You can use it to do away with the coffee and tea stains on mugs, clean plastic window frames, and outdoor furniture, remove permanent stains left by high-pigmented foods on plastic containers, etc. Just remember to spot-test it first and steer clear of glossy surfaces. 

For further help with your home cleaning routine, contact White Glove Cleaner today to schedule a cleaning in New York City!