While these popular cleansing sponges are great at remove tough stains , they might do more damage than ripe on certain control surface .
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Magic Eraser , the popular brand of a melamine leech , has the intelligence " magic " in its name for a grounds . They are well - known for take away even the most seemingly impossible of brand . grueling water , limescale , wall scuffs , clay onwhite shoes — you name it , they can probably remove it . However , because of the parazoan ’s material , it ’s highly important to be conservative about what you use them on to avoid lasting damage .
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We asked a cleaning expert how to decent use Magic Erasers — and the truth about the harm they can cause . Learn how to protect your household surfaces the next clip you have a sturdy brand to remove .
Alessandro Gazzois a cleaning expert at Emily ’s Maids , a house cleaning & maid Robert William Service in Dallas .
What Are Magic Erasers?
Magic Erasers are the pop brand name of a type of melamine foam . Melamine foam consists of unnumbered lilliputian sharp edges that represent similarly tofine sandpaperwith its abrasive nature . This is what makes them so serious at removing filth and grunge , as they physically pick them up off the surface with these piercing " micro - scrubber . " While this can be helpful for cleanup , it can also be dangerous to certain surface .
" Magic Erasers are more like a data file than a regular sponger . This mean that every time you ’re using it , you ’re sand or ' eating away ' at the enamel orcoating of your countertopor other surfaces , " says Alessandro Gazzo , a cleaning expert at Emily ’s Maids .
Why Magic Erasers Aren’t Safe for Countertops and Other Surfaces
While it might be lure to gain for a ready to hand and trusty Magic Eraser when you spot a hard - to - hit stain on your countertop , you might want to intend again .
" Countertops are a cracking example of somewhere not to use a Magic Eraser , particularlynatural stone surfaces , because they ’re treated with a coating to protect them from moisture , particularly from acidic or alkaline products , " Gazzo says . " Melamine foam can damp or engrave the airfoil . This can make liquids to seep through the Earth’s surface and damage it from within . "
Surfaces to Avoid
In oecumenical , Gazzo recommends avoiding using melamine foam on any case of shiny , paint , varnished , or polished Earth’s surface to avoid lasting scratches or damage . This include :
To be good , always essay the sponge on an inconspicuous area first . This include perchance unexpected materials such as laminate or acrylic paint countertops , alloy finisheson faucets or lightheaded mend , leather , and wood .
Tips for Using Magic Erasers Safely
Gentler Alternatives to Magic Erasers
For stain or spots on surfaces that are n’t good for a Magic Eraser , consider these gentler cleanup alternatives .
