Dont let the seemingly plush texture fool you: melamine foam can be rough on your skin. Kitchn is a source of inspiration for a happier, healthier life in your kitchen. Crayon on the wall? Want to talk about putting an environmentally friendly cleaning strategy in place for your Chicago home? Want to share your green cleaning goals? We are committed to doing everything we can to limit our impact on the environment. For more uses for the Magic Eraser see 10 Kids Things a Magic Eraser Is Killer at Cleaning. Melamine Foam Sponge. That said, its not the cleaning agent that makes them so effective, its the material. Here, it can help boost resin production, but its best used sparinglysulfite-modified foams are less stable and can emit formaldehyde under certain conditions. Its basically foam thats hard as glass and acts as a really abrasive sandpaper, meaning, yeah, your teeth are white because you scrubbed all the enamel off. for those more common messes, and save melamine for the baddest of the bad guys. Magic Eraser can strip away the finish. Scroll down to make a non-toxic magic eraser recipe. Got a tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see? No problem. Your Magic Eraser sponge is great for cleaning up marks and stains. You may be noticing a theme by now: Magic Eraser sponges should not be used on many treated or finished surfaces, which tend to be more sensitive. Dr. Zainab Mackie, a Detroit dentist, agrees the sponges could scrub stains off your teeth, but only by permanently damaging your enamel. Please do not ever use a Magic Eraser or melamine sponge on your teeth or skin. The truth is, Magic Erasers are just tiny rectangular pieces of melamine foam with a cleaning agent inside. Want to share your green cleaning goals? Contact us today for your FREE service estimate! , though they are not fully biodegradable and therefore, For this reason, we think Magic Eraser sponges are a great tool for deep cleaning those stubborn, impossible messes but you shouldnt rely on them every day! Meanwhile, grab your heat-safe container and get ready to add: 1 tbsp of Baking soda, 1 tsp of Borax and 3 drops of Purify essential oil, Once the water is ready, add 1/2 cup to the heat-safe container and stir until everything has dissolved, Now, add your sponge and press down until it has absorbed the mixture. A naturally occurring compound produced by the evaporation of salt lakes, Borax is a cleaning powerhouse and has many household uses, I have to address the elephant in the room here. So make sure to keep your sponge a little wet, the same way you would with a sponge or a paper towel used to clean up a mess. Force gas bubbles to form in the resin during the manufacturing process and you end up with Mr. Cleans melamine foam. Magic Eraser is made of superfine foam which is abrasive and can result in rashes or burns, even with gentle rubbing. The versatile cleaning tool helps you remove residue from old stickers, clean marks from the wall and remove dirt and grim from a variety of surfaces. Read on. Schedule a Cleaning Today! What is the active ingredient in Magic Eraser? At Sweeping Dimensions, we know how to choose the right tool for the job, every time. It might be tempting to use your melamine sponge to buff out light scratches on stainless steel appliances, but you could actually damage the finish that gives stainless steel its shine, causing it to dull over time. Are Magic Erasers Environmentally Friendly? | (312) 607-4700, If youve ever had to remove your toddlers latest crayon masterpiece from a wall in your home, you probably have already heard of. NOTE: I chose this sponge because it is 100% plant-based, made of natural cellulose, hand-sewn and dye free, however, after using a few of them, I concluded they arent the most durable. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Does Melamine Foam Magic Eraser Have Soap in It? Just add soap to a warm water bath and rub with a cloth or Magic Eraser. Sponges promising antibacterial or odor-removing benefits are loaded with toxic chemicals including triclosan, an antimicrobial agent (and pesticide) that has been linked to cancer, developmental toxicity and skin irritation. Do melamine sponges contain formaldehyde? The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which hit the U.S. market in 2003, has garnered an almost cultlike fanbase and for good reason. However, while melamine foam is not biodegradable, its not toxic to the environment. Remember what happened when powdered melamine was found in pet food and infant formula in China with tragic consequences? By itself, formaldehyde can be dangerous and sometimes lethalirritating the skin, corroding internal tissue, and even causing cancer. However, this ingredient is not formaldehyde and poses no health or safety risks. Melamine foam is a foam-like material consisting of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. Does Magic Eraser Remove Toilet Bowl Ring? So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away? So, which jobs are right for your Magic Eraser sponge and which should be left to another cleaning tool in your arsenal? The foam is manufactured by several manufacturers worldwide, most notably by BASF of Germany under the name Basotect. But like any tool, Magic Eraser sponges are designed for specific jobs and, if used incorrectly. Compared to conventional sponges, Magic Erasers have some advantages. In the early 21st century, it was discovered that melamine foam is an effective abrasive cleaner. Not a problem. Watch the vid (linked above) and see for yourself! 4. Are Melamine Magic Eraser Terrible For The Environment? Sometimes that means making a small switch here in the office, and sometimes it means encouraging our loved ones and our customers to try a new eco-friendly alternative! Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Wholesale Best Quality Melamine Foam Rolls, The Best Melamine Acoustic Foam Suppliers, Red Melamine Foam Sponge Magic Sheet Exported to Wal-Mart, Round Melamine Foam Sponges Exported to America, En-World Melamine Foam Magic Sponge Exported to Thailand, Customized Melamine Foam Sponges Exported To USA, Melamine Foam Eraser Exported To Thailand, Another Big Order of Melamine Foam Sheets Exported To America. The truth is, Magic Erasers are just tiny rectangular pieces of melamine foam with a cleaning agent inside. While Magic Eraser sponges are versatile, they shouldnt be used on every surface. Because of this, the Magic Eraser should never be used on a child or adults skin. If you have any suggestions or opinions about our products,please leave a message,and we will immediately answer your questions.Thanks for your support, AddressJincheng Times Square, Zhongzhou Avenue, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou,China, Copyright 2019.Henan Enda New Material Co., Ltd. Are Melamine Magic Eraser Terrible for Environment? 2022 Cond Nast. The best part is, you can find melamine sponges very similar to those that Mr. Clean uses on eBay and other online stores in bulk. While the ingredients in a melamine foam sponge are non-toxic, its important to note: Any item that fits inside a childs mouth (or a pets mouth) can become a choking hazard if swallowed. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries. What does the myth Daedalus and Icarus teach? When the rigid crystal structure of melamine is processed, it turns into melamine foam, which is the generic name for Magic Eraser sponges. Your email address will not be published. The truth is, Magic Erasers are just tiny rectangular pieces of melamine foam with a cleaning agent inside. Quick and easy, I promise ;). Before you break out the magic eraser, remember these dos and donts:. Even if you cook a. In between tasks, rinse your non-toxic magic eraser under the faucet with water, re-dunk into the liquid mixture, and wring out any excess liquid, This mixture lasted me one days-worth of tasks, and I re-make it on a day I know I can attack multiple areas of my house, When Im done for the day, Ill rinse my sponge under the faucet and allow my sponge to dry completely, Re-make or double (or even triple) this recipe as needed. Contact us today for your FREE service estimate! Wood. Want to talk about putting an environmentally friendly cleaning strategy in place for your Chicago home? Extremely hard microscopic filaments in the foam serve as an abrasive. The melamine resin actually uses melamine as a raw material, reacts with formaldehyde, and then condenses. When unsightly soap scum begins to build up, reach for an eraser to remove the stain. So it seems we dont have to worry that the erasor will be off-gassing toxins during use. Let it float, it doesnt need to be submerged. (Think of this name like sodium chloride, which is table salt. If youve ever had to remove your toddlers latest crayon masterpiece from a wall in your home, you probably have already heard of Magic Eraser sponges. The Pain Was Unbearable. 3. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Melamine Foam Sound Absorber For Rail And Automotives Indust, Melamine Sound Absorbing Foam For High Speed Rail, Basotect Soundproof Wall Melamine Acoustic Panels, Class A Fire Rated Acoustic Melamine Foam, How do Factories Reduce Noise? One ingredient in Magic Eraser (formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer) contains the word formaldehyde in its chemical name. Stains can be removed immediately, the most amazing thing is that it does not require detergent at all! Once you dampen this foam with a little bit of water, tiny filaments open up, helping the sponges gritty surface to dig into grime, soap scum, stains, crayon and marker marks, and other irritating household messes. How to Clean Skateboard with Magic Sponge? This foam material has been used in a number of industries for over 20 years. If youve rubbed your Magic Eraser away, there are few other convenient and safe options for cleaning glass showers, too. Ive decided to dupe it and remove the offensive component. Please use what you have, but if you have a more natural alternative to recommend, please comment below! Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the countertop appear dull. As with other glossy coatings, your melamine foam sponge is likely to dull the finish over time. However, this ingredient is not formaldehyde and poses no health or safety risks. For me, the Magic Eraser is reserved for those sinister stains impervious to my eco-friendly cleaners. Shiny painted, enameled, sealed, or varnished surfaces. Now, scrub away at any areas that need erasing! (Think of this name like sodium chloride, which is table salt. Moisture helps your sponge attract and hold onto dirt, while softening it up. Depending on the material of your counter or floor, your magic eraser can even handle the stains from a spilled cup of juice or tomato sauce. Melamine foam. Dish soap is recommended by both Home Depot and the Nation Association of Realtors as a safe product for your enamel tub. Melamine foam erasers only need water to effectively clean stains, making them convenient to use. As reprinted on Snopes, Procter & Gamble formally addressed the rumor, explaining formaldehyde is not and has never been an ingredient in Magic Eraser. The melamine foam sponge does contain something called formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer but this is not the same as formaldehyde and poses no health . Remove mould and mildew from anything plastic. Instead, you should get in the habit of using environmentally friendly green scrubbers for those more common messes, and save melamine for the baddest of the bad guys. Just dont. . The foam is manufactured by several manufacturers worldwide, most notably by BASF of Germany under the name Basotect and VIXUM made by Dongsung chemical in South Korea. Granite may be stone, but it wont hold up to the scrubbing power of your Magic Eraser sponge. And, again, dont let your kids play with them. With just a little water, melamine foam can dig in and destroy stains that other products cant touch. Greasy stovetops, gunked-up microwaves, even soap scum on a shower door are no match for a Magic Eraser sponge. For one thing, these sponges only require water to get rid of messes meaning you wont need to burn through chemical cleaning products. 2. These erasers are made of melamine foam, which is a type of hard plastic blown into tiny bubbles. How often can I use melamine on my teeth? The abrasive foam loosens up dirt and grime, and the open microstructure of the foam sucks it in and traps it there. The Ultimate First Time Homeowner's Guide. sound dampening materials to dinnerware sets. If you notice any dulling or discoloration of the surface, consider other options for dealing with this particular mess. Your email address will not be published. Ready to get started making a difference for the planet? Microplastic melamine-fragments (a) and polyester fibers (b) used in the experiments. Why is Melamine Foam Acoustic Panel Important? Clean Magic Eraser also contains ammonia. A Huge Subterranean Tree Is Moving Magma to Earths Surface. Make sure to always wear a pair of gloves while using your magic eraser and never ever use it directly on your skin. Sometimes that means. Let me know below how you plan on using your magic eraser, and while youre on a cleaning kick, add. As with other glossy coatings, your melamine foam sponge is likely to dull the finish over time. The secret behind the scrubbers isn't as magical as you might have thought. The open-cell foam is microporous and its polymeric substance is very hard, so that when used for cleaning it works like extremely fine sandpaper, getting into tiny grooves and pits in the object being cleaned. Ready to get started making a difference for the planet? How can this little white sponge succeed where so many other products fail? Are you surprised to find out theres more to using your Magic Eraser sponge than using the right amount of elbow grease? . Melamine foam has a superfine, high-strength structure that behaves a lot like sandpaper with a nearly microscopic level of grit. No wand-waving here: The magic of the eraser is simply melamine, a nitrogen-rich organic base that in its solid state is a powerful-yet-delicate abrasive. The National Institutes of Health lists the Magic Eraser as non-toxic. In the process of production, because of the high temperature compression, the residual formaldehyde in the sponge is almost the same, and can be compared with the formaldehyde content in the fruit. Less Magic, More Chemistry. They can be swallowed and can cause rashes and burns if rubbed against the skin. It might work, but youre likely to damage your cookwares non-stick coating in the process. Finding green energy when the winds are calm and the skies are cloudy has been a challenge. The company went on to say that it is possible that formaldehyde may be present in minute, trace amounts as a result of the manufacturing process. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Since hitting the market more than a decade ago, the erasers have rounded up a consumer base that swears by the magic. Add toilet bowl rings to that list. Magic Erasers can be, well, magic. Of course, this kind of thing is insoluble in water because it is difficult to be absorbed, so melamine itself is no any impact for the human body. How to Clean Kitchen Countertops with Magic Sponge. In small amounts, I find it poses no risk. A Magic Eraser is actually made of melanine foam. . In the morning you will find that most of the toilet bowl stains will be removed. A melamine sponge is more dense than your average cleaning sponge and its tiny pores make it a light abrasive, not unlike that of an extra fine sheet of sandpaper. Melamines high nitrogen content also makes it a useful flame retardant and fertilizer. The book Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus: How Growth Became the Enemy of Prosperity says the discovery was actually made by Procter & Gamble, who partnered with BASF to package the stuff as the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, complete with smiling bald buff dude cartoon spokesperson. First of all, Magic Erasers disintegrate as you use them, and you dont want those particles in your mouth.