Magic Erasers are melamine foam sponges that have been used to keep a room warm and also work as a soundproofing material. Someone discovered around five years ago that melamine foam could also be used as an exfoliating cleanser! It performs well because the melamine resin’s structure is almost as hard as diamond as it hardens into foam, making it operate as a mega abrasive on stains. The rough foam softens dirt and filth, while the foam’s open substructure suckers it inside and retains it.
The Magic Eraser makes cleanup simple and straightforward, making spill cleanup less of a problem. However, there are some materials that can be affected by using a Magic Eraser to clean them, read on to learn more!
Avoid using Magic Erasers to clean certain materials such as stainless steel, stone and skin. Magic Erasers are made with melamine, with is extremely abrasive. We recommend doing research before using a Magic Eraser, special if the surface is made from an expensive material.
Stainless Steel
You may end up making your stainless steel appear darker if you clean it too vigorously with a Magic Eraser. So rather than polishing your appliances made of stainless steel, you could instead try sanding them with a 220 coarse sandpaper to ensure that your stainless steel does not look less appealing than it once did, or you might end up ruining your new torch lighter.
Nonstick Cookware
Although Magic Erasers feel like a wet brush, using one on frictionless cookware can harm the coating. Some of the frictionless layers can slip into your meal when nonstick cookware is scraped. There are more effective methods for cleaning your saucepans instead of a Magic Eraser. You can use a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda for every 3 cups of water and this will clean your cookware without affecting the coating.
Stone Countertops
Because Magic Erasers are scratchy, don’t have them on tables composed of precious stones like marble or granite. Not only does the eraser damage the varnish, but it will also diminish the appearance of the table. Instead, use a commercial cleaner that includes Trisodium Phosphate or Sodium Hydroxide, make sure to follow the manufacturer instructions.
Screens
You may be tempted to use a Magic Eraser on your screens as it seems promising enough to clean off the dirt and grime of your crusty devices’ screens. However, you should never do that! The structure of the Magic Eraser changes once force is applied and becomes as hard as a diamond. This means that you are risking scratching your screen up even before you get any cleaning done! Imagine using steel wool to clean your screen – the outcome is similar to that of what will happen if you use a Magic Eraser: a costly repair for a damaged screen. We recommend using a soft tissue and a compressed air canister to do this job.
Your Car
Although Magic Erasers are useful for cleaning dirt and grime inside your vehicle’s cupholders and console, they should not be used to polish the exterior. The crassness of the eraser can scratch your vehicle’s paint. There are a lot if commercial car waxes available that will not damage the paint, you can purchase a bottler for only $12 dollars.
“The abrasive nature of Magic Erasers can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to cleaning. Whilst they are excellent for scrubbing away stubborn grime, use them on the wrong surface and you could cause irreversible damage. Always remember, the key to effective cleaning is using the right tool for the job.”
Gwendolyn Tate, Cleaning Expert
Collectibles
If you have in possession any expensive antiques, such as dolls or second-hand jewelry or a design cigar box, use caution when cleaning old dirt and filth with a Magic Eraser. It’s not worth the gamble of causing more harm than good for your valuables.
Skin
Never apply Magic Eraser on your skin! These sponges may appear to be ordinary, but they are actually constructed of melamine foam with small air bubbles.
The consequences can cause you to experience a stinging sensation and severe burns, which can be quite dangerous. If by mistake, you used a Magic Eraser on your skin, you should first check your burn. Even though it may be difficult to concentrate on anything except the excruciating agony on your skin, you must check the condition of the burn. This will reveal the severity of the burn.
If you have severe sores or a burn that has produced deep indented wounds, you should go to the doctor right away since some people’s skin reacts to magic erasers in this way. Most people, on the other hand, will only suffer a first-degree burn, which is comparable to a carpet burn and could be managed at home with the assistance of a first aid kit. Rinse the area with warm water for 10 minutes approximately to alleviate the pain and inflammation. This will assist to relieve the feeling of pain and reduce swelling. Then, for about 10 minutes, apply an ice pack to the affected area.
When you rub Magic Eraser on your skin, you’ve probably made a horrible abrasive wound, and applying a thick moisturizer like vaseline to the region might help wound healing.
After around 30 minutes, wipe the skin with a towel. Vaseline is a terrific petroleum jelly product that you should use in a thin layer on the affected area. This will prevent dehydration from the area and help it keep retain moisture, as well as aid in the healing of any wounds or skin damage you’ve caused. The terrible pain you experience after using a Magic Eraser on your skin is due to the vulnerability of your exposed skin (due to the burn) you’ve produced, and while this burn will heal over time, it’s crucial to make sure it doesn’t become infected since this might make things worse.
Applying gauze to the skin is a good way to protect it from potential infections.
Apply a small dash of hydrogel to the region the next day. This will effectively produce a seal, which will aid in healing and the management of any scarring that may form. Then gently wipe the injury over the next days, wash and put on a fresh layer of healing cream, silicone ointment, or gauze every day. Carry on in this manner until the burn has healed. Within about two weeks, the top layer will regenerate on its own and return to normal.
Everything You Can Do (Pots, Pans, Food)
As a surface cleaner, magic erasers are fantastic. Scuff stains on walls and floors are easily removed with them. It is also effective in eliminating adhesive and label remnants. It also aids in the removal of ink-related stains such as markers and pens, as well as marking high-touch locations. Cleaning those surprisingly hard-to-handle fiberglass shower floors using Magic Erasers is an excellent idea. You may also use a Magic Eraser to make your silver jewelry shine and remove tarnish off silver cutlery.
If using Magic Erasers sounds like a safety hazard to you, you can also consider using other cleaning supplies to combat stains such as bleach or even steel wool. You should also try using whatever detergents or cleaning agents you have at home to see which could work, or even search up some natural remedies to your cleaning problems! While the Magic Eraser does its job well, it also poses risks, especially for young kids who might only perceive this cleaning supply as a soft sponge. If you do not know when or where to use Magic Erasers on certain surfaces, do take care to do spot testing to see if this tool will damage your surface.
References
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/what-to-know-about-magic-erasers/
Melamine foam is like an unsung superhero, it quietly and efficiently does its job in the background, whether that’s keeping our rooms quieter or our surfaces cleaner.
I’ve used the Alex Mcil Magic Eraser to successfully remove stubborn grime and legacy stains from antique wood surfaces, shockingly without leaving any scratches at all!
I also have had quite positive experiences with the Alex Mcil Magic Eraser. Being in the painting business, stains are an inevitable part of my job. I discovered that these magic erasers can gently lift paint splatters from surfaces which are usually sensitive to scrubbing or harsher chemicals. They certainly live up to their name for a reason.
I once used a Magic Eraser on my hardwood floor, thinking it would effectively eliminate some harsh paint stains, much like its work on walls. However, I was met with disappointment as it actually scratched the finish right off.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the Magic Eraser, Octavia. Yes, its abrasive nature can indeed harm certain surfaces such as hardwood floors; it’s always prudent to test in a hidden area before using it broadly.
Magic Erasers are indeed abrasive due to the hardened melamine resin; they should be used with discretion or they will cause more harm than good.