Places In Your Home To Avoid Using A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

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In the realm of household cleaning, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers have gained a reputation as a one-size-fits-all product for tackling various stains and marks. These cleaning pads, composed of melamine foam, work through micro-abrasion to lift away dirt and grime from a multitude of surfaces. Whether it's scuff marks on walls, stubborn stains on countertops, or traces of crayon on furniture, Magic Erasers seem like an almost magical solution to a range of cleaning woes.

However, while they do a great job of removing stains, it's essential to exercise caution and discernment when deciding where to wield these powerful cleaning tools. While these sponges might seem to be soft and squishy, they are actually very abrasive, with effects comparable to sandpaper. There are many situations where they are actually too effective in removing mess, and as a result, they accidentally remove other things like paint and finishes. Here is a list of the places in your home where using a Magic Eraser might be less than ideal and potentially detrimental. 

If you have a burnt-on mess to clean up after a big dinner, it might be tempting to use a Magic Eraser as a quick fix. Not only will its slight abrasiveness help slough off the stubborn grease, but there is also the Magic Eraser Kitchen with Dawn version, which seems tailor-made for dishes. However, this doesn't work for all cookware, and the Mr. Clean website specifically says not to use the sponge on pots and pans with non-stick coating. This is because the abrasive nature of the sponge will scrub off not only food residue but also the non-stick layer. This scratched-off coating can result in small particles of Teflon and microplastics making their way into your food. These microparticles are definitely not something you want to eat, as they are linked to health risks, including a higher risk of cancer, as per a groundbreaking study published in "Environmental Health Perspectives."

To avoid this, you don't need to throw away all your non-stick cookware. You just have to take a little extra care when washing up. Stick to the classic dish soap and non-abrasive sponge to clean up the majority of messes. If this method isn't cutting it and you need more power than elbow grease alone, fill up the pot or pan with water. Add in ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow the pot to cool, and then dump out the water. This should make cleaning the rest of the mess with dish soap and a soft sponge much easier.

Similar to the effects on high gloss paint, if a Magic Eraser is used on wooden surfaces, it can potentially scratch or damage their finish or sealant. They may not withstand the abrasive action of the eraser, leading to visible marks and an uneven look. Even if you are gentle, the cleaning agents present in Magic Erasers may react with certain wood finishes, resulting in discoloration or changes to the sheen. That's why the brand itself recommends not using the eraser on untreated or polished wood. 

To maintain the beauty and longevity of your wood surfaces, it's best to keep it simple and gentle. The best method is to use a gallon of warm water with just a few drops of natural dish soap. Ensure your mop or microfiber cloth is only damp and not wet when cleaning the surface since standing water can damage, discolor, or warp the look. You also want to wipe it dry once you're done to ensure nothing is oversaturated. If there is a stubborn stain, use a cloth or sponge to clean it, possibly adding a little more soap to help lift the mark. However, you want to avoid using stuff like vinegar or lemon since that can damage the finish, much like a Magic Eraser would.

One of the best parts about investing in leather furniture is that if you take care of it, it only gets more personality as it ages. Buying a piece of furniture for the long haul means committing to cleaning it, but leather can be a bit tricky since it's a natural material. That means it can be sensitive to abrasive cleaning tools, and scrubbing with the melamine eraser may cause scratches, scuffs, or dulling of the material, diminishing its appearance over time. It can also strip away the protective finish wherever you use the sponge, making the exposed leather more susceptible to future stains. This, of course, is the exact opposite of how you want your leather furniture to age. However, if you must use it, it's best to use it on either light-colored leather (since scratches and dull spots won't be as noticeable) or already distressed leather.

Instead, it's best to use an upholstery attachment on a vacuum to routinely remove dust and dirt from the furniture's surface. If it requires a deeper clean, use a microfiber cloth and a specialty leather cleaner to remove built-up dirt. Such an example is the Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner for $12 on Amazon. Spray it onto your cloth rather than the couch to avoid oversaturating the material, which can lead to water marks, and if your cleaner isn't formulated with a conditioner, make sure to add that afterward so the skin doesn't dry out. If you're tackling a stain, a microfiber cloth dipped in warm water and a drop of dish soap will do just the trick.

Laminate furniture and cabinets are great choices for high-traffic homes since they are more resistant to spills and moisture than natural wood. However, opinions on whether it is okay to use a Magic Eraser on laminate are split. The Mr. Clean website claims that laminate is one of the surfaces that the brand recommends cleaning with the eraser, but many users online have posted pictures of their scratched laminate surfaces, claiming that the Magic Eraser ruined them.

Here is the deal. While it is okay to use a Magic Eraser to buff out small scuffs or sticky stains, you don't want to make this a regular part of your cleaning routine. If you use the Magic Eraser often or scrub too hard and for too long, it will remove the sheen and eventually strip the paint on your item. Remember, it acts very similar to fine-grit sandpaper. If you want a better way to clean your laminate long-term, use warm water and dish soap. If tackling a stain, use a mild all-purpose cleaner and a soft bristle brush, which will give you slightly more scrubbing power. If it's a really tough stain, you can also use a tiny bit of baking soda to add some grit, but it will act similarly to the Magic Eraser and could potentially dull the sheen or remove the paint.