Well, magic eraser as the name suggests works its magic on nearly every item or surface at home. From cleaning painted walls to greasy countertops and removing stains on surfaces. However, the magic eraser is abrasive. This means that it might not be ideal for cleaning very delicate surfaces. So, in this article, we are going to talk about what not to use magic eraser on.
But before we get to that, let us see what a magic eraser really is, what it is made of, and what it can be used on.
What is a magic eraser?
Magic eraser is a melamine foam block that acts like fine sandpaper when wet.
It is known for its effectiveness when it comes to scrubbing and removing tough stains from hard surfaces.
For instance, it works great when it comes to removing permanent markers on walls and getting rid of grime and soap scum on bathtubs.
It is also very easy to use. All you have to do is dampen the sponge and work on the surfaces.
What is magic eraser made of?
You would be forgiven to think that magic eraser is just a sponge.
Many people don’t take time to think about the reason behind the magic eraser’s effectiveness. So here is a short explanation as to why it’s so powerful on nearly all surfaces.
Magic eraser is made from formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer as stated by Snopes.com.
Melamine foam, which is the main ingredient, is a mixture of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. It is what makes the magic eraser feel like a sponge or fine sandpaper because it has lots of tiny porous holes.
When activated with water, the foam hardens giving it the power to scrap off stains and dirt. This harness enables the magic eraser to act like fine sandpaper so that it is powerful enough on stubborn stains.
The ingredients of the magic eraser are non-toxic so you don’t have to worry about its safety. However, it is important to treat it like any other cleaning product at home. Therefore, it should be kept out of the reach of children and pets and avoid using on skin.
What can you use magic eraser on?
1. Painted hard Walls and baseboards
Your walls and baseboards will get dirty and dusty over time. This gets even worse when you have children at that stage where they like painting and scribbling on walls.
Luckily, you can always get the shine back by using Mr. Clean magic eraser.
Get your magic eraser ready by wetting and squeezing it. Wring the sponge completely to avoid wetting the floor and dampening the boards too much.
First, take a spot test on both the wall and baseboard to avoid damage and then swipe through the surface gently.
Be careful not to apply a lot of pressure when cleaning the wall so that it does not end up dull or uneven.
2. Greasy surfaces like stovetops, oven doors, microwaves
Magic eraser works perfectly on kitchen grime and grease whether on stovetops, oven doors, or microwave.
As usual, start by wetting the sponge to activate the micro scrubbers that lift away the grease on your kitchen appliances.
Squeeze the sponge to get rid of excess water and then gently glide on the surfaces with grease. Don’t forget the knobs and grates.
If the whole eraser cannot reach all the parts of the appliance, cut it into small pieces so that you reach those hard-to-reach spots.
To finish the process, wipe the erased surfaces with a clean wet towel and leave them to air dry.
See also: How to remove dried gorilla glue from carpet
3. Rust from bathtubs and sinks
Whether on your kitchen sinks or bathtubs, magic eraser can help you get rid of rust.
Wet your Mr. Clean magic eraser and squeeze three or four times to remove excess water and help with foaming up.
With a firm and steady wipe, work on the rusted parts of your sink or tub. Rust stains are stubborn and difficult to remove, but the tough and rough micro scrubbers of magic eraser make it as easy to get rid of.
4. To clean ink and crayon from surfaces
You are most likely to suffer an ink accident more often than you imagine.
Your kids may decide to showcase their artistic side by scribbling on your favorite table or couch using ink or paint.
The dog might also chew on an ink pen and completely stain the floor.
Whatever the case, Mr. Clean’s magic eraser will help to easily remove the ink with a little elbow grease.
5. Removing dried grout on tiles
Whether you are remodeling your house by fixing new tiles or constructing a new one, you will have to find a way to deal with dried grout on tiles.
Dried grout can be very difficult to remove but not when you use the magic eraser.
Magic eraser by Mr. Clean is actually taunted as an excellent tile cleaner and grout remover.
6. To remove hard water stains on Glass utensils and glass Shower doors
Magic eraser is very effective and safe to use on glass utensils and glass shower doors to remove hard water stains.
This is attributed to the micro-scrubbers in the foam that are activated when soaked in water.
Simply dip the eraser in warm and wipe the utensils or the glass door gently steady until all the hard water stains are gone.
What not to use magic eraser on
Magic eraser does not always work it’s magic.
At times, it may damage or leave an item or surface looking worse than it did before cleaning.
So lookout for some of the things you shouldn’t use magic eraser on.
1. Teeth and skin
This might sound obvious to some people but you should never use magic eraser on your teeth or skin.
I have seen people on the internet claiming that they have used magic eraser to remove stains from their teeth without any harm.
This is however strongly discouraged because the soft tissues in your mouth like cheek and gum can easily get damaged.
In addition, the tissue may absorb the ingredients in the magic eraser and pose a health risk to you.
Similarly, using this cleaner on the skin is strictly forbidden. This is because even rubbing your skin gently with it can easily cause burns and rashes on the skin.
2. Car exterior
Remember that magic eraser is abrasive.
It might look and feel soft when dry but soaked in water; it acts like fine sandpaper.
Thus, its abrasiveness is not good for finely painted surfaces like the outside of your car.
However, it is perfectly safe to use it on the interior like the dashboard to remove dust and dirt.
3. Delicate surfaces made of granite or marble
Magic eraser cannot be used on granite or marble countertops or any other delicate stone surfaces.
This is because it will scratch and remove the seal on the stone exposing it to permanent damage and stains.
Moreover, it might take away the shininess of the granite or marble countertops.
4. Non-stick cooking pots
Nonstick cookware is convenient but demands a lot of care.
Scratching the nonstick surface renders the cookpots useless and possibly harmless. It is for this reason that you should avoid scrubbing the pots with an abrasive cleaning material like a magic eraser.
5. Stainless steel appliances and surfaces
Stainless steel is durable but it can get damaged easily if scrubbed using Mr. Clean magic eraser.
You might think that using it on stainless steel surfaces will increase their shine but that’s not the case.
The eraser tends to leave tiny scratches and scuffs on stainless steel items leaving them looking dull.
If you want to maintain the shiny finish on your sinks and other stainless steel items, clean using a soft cloth and gentle dish soap.
6. Wooden surfaces like hardwood floors
Yes. I know I stated earlier that you can use a magic eraser on walls and baseboards. But don’t be tempted to use it on wooden surfaces like a hardwood floor.
This is because the eraser can strip the wooden finish leaving the surface looking dull and unappealing.
It is important to research and apply the right wood finish cleaning methods to maintain the classic finish.
FAQ on Mr. Clean magic eraser uses
Yes, you can use magic eraser to remove stains on fabric like microfiber or polyester.
But, note that you should not scrub and if you do it should be very gentle.
To remove the stains without damaging the fabric, dampen the it and soak up the stained spot and then rub gently on the surface. Rinse the fabric once done and the stain should be gone.
The number of times to use your magic eraser depends on the task at hand.
If you are cleaning a large surface, you will probably use one eraser or more because it tends to disintegrate as you clean.
For small surfaces or appliances, one is enough and you can use it several times after so don’t throw it away.
So, depending on the amount of cleaning, you can use it once or severally.
Magic eraser is safe on glass. Yes, it has abrasive micro scrubbers but it does not leave scratches or dull the glass surface.
If you have saltwater stains or any other dirt on your glass surfaces, Mr. Clean’s magic eraser will effectively get rid of them.
Conclusion
Magic glass is effective and safe on different household items and surfaces. However, it is important to know what not to use magic eraser on so as not to damage your appliances or surfaces at home.
For instance, your desired to have your car shining again may drive you to use the magic eraser and you end up scratching off the paint.
When in doubt about whether or not to use it, it is advisable to carry out a spot test. Clean a hidden spot on the surface first to see how it goes before using the eraser on the rest of the surface.
