Everything You Need to Know About Magic Erasers And How To Use Them

If you haven’t heard of Magic Erasers, you should know that they’re considered a bit of a miracle worker for getting rid of stains or scuff marks on a variety of surfaces -- all without the need for any other cleaning agent.

While they are undoubtedly an impressive cleaning tool, the “magic” is only as real as the name because there is a very logical explanation as to why they are so good at what they do without any assistance from detergents. 

So, even though it isn’t really magic, learning exactly what Magic Erasers are, and how they work, can convince you why they’ve earned the name.

What are Magic Erasers?

Simply put, Magic Erasers are a foam made out of melamine. In order to make the material a ‘Magic Eraser’, however, the foam must be treated with heat compression for the sake of improving its durability. It is then cut to an ergonomic shape and sold. The fact that nothing else has been added to it during this process is where the magic truly lies. 

How Do They Work?

The melamine used to make Magic Erasers has tiny pockets of air because it is blown into a foam. This is why you will find the tool to be quite soft to the touch. Looking further into the foam, we learn that the material surrounding these pockets of air is where the foam gets its ability to clean. In the shape of tiny little triangles, this web of material around the air pockets will harden when in contact with water, yet the tool, as a whole, remains flexible. This is because of the way in which the triangles come together. In other words, they can be as hard as glass, but will still be able to flex and move around so the sponge doesn’t lose its soft touch. Ultimately, this allows the material to gain a new-found abrasiveness that can help clean. 

To really sum it up, all you need to know is that the Magic Eraser, when dampened, gets harder than the stain in question, but not hard enough that it can damage the surface it is cleaning.

With that said, however, it’s worth noting that there are some surfaces one ought to avoid using a Magic Eraser on. Since it gets mildly abrasive to clean, things like stainless steel, car bodies, non-stick coated pans, or any surface with a high gloss could actually get scratched or damaged by a Magic Eraser. 

That brings us to the importance of knowing how to use Magic Erasers, and what they can be used on. The information below is key to getting the most out of this magical cleaning tool.

How to Use a Magic Eraser?

When used correctly, Magic Erasers are more than capable of cleaning anything they are recommended for. The important thing is to ensure that you are not accidentally causing damage while you’re at it! Fortunately, that’s what we are here for; read below to know just how to approach cleaning with a Magic Eraser:

• Firstly, it is advisable to test the Eraser before you wet it. This is best done on an inconspicuous spot like a corner or a hidden area by simply giving it a gentle wipe. If you don’t see any problem, you can go ahead with the cleaning.

• Once you’ve tested the foam on whatever surface you are trying to clean, dampen the Magic Eraser under running water, or by dipping it in a bowl of water. It’s best to wet the eraser entirely, and then squeeze out the excess water before you start cleaning with it.

• Once the eraser is damp, go ahead and wipe away the grease and dirt from the surface or material in question. If you’re still dealing with a tough stain, use a mild amount of pressure and give it a few more passes until the mark is gone. Bear in mind that it will take a little more time and effort to clean things like rust and mould with a Magic Eraser.

What Can You Clean With a Magic Eraser?

Now that you’ve learnt everything you need to know about Magic Erasers, it’s time to put them to work! There are a ton of options when it comes to the actual uses for Magic Erasers, and today, MaidForYou is sharing some of the best ones! The more you learn about these uses, the better you will understand what the erasers are truly capable of.

So, let’s begin! Here are the top 10 ways to clean with Magic Erasers.

1. Scuffs On Shoes

Sometimes, stains and marks on your shoes can be quite difficult to get out even when you attempt to scrub them with a recommended cleaning agent. Fortunately, Magic Erasers are able to tackle most shoe stains with ease. Simply use the tool to buff the shoe gently, and you should see the marks disappear.

2. Stubborn Grease & Grime From Your Refrigerator

Whether it’s fingerprints on the outside, stains and dirt around the door gasket, or even food spillage inside the fridge itself, you can easily get rid of them just by wiping it all down with a Magic Eraser. 

3. Dried Paint and Polish

Stubborn dried paint or nail polish can be beaten by a Magic Eraser with little effort. Just some minimal scrubbing with the eraser on any spilled paint should see it come off with a fair amount of ease.  

4. Wall Stains

If your kids have had some fun on the walls with markers, or a wall stain has suddenly appeared out of nowhere, you can rely on a Magic Eraser to get rid of the unsightly marks. In fact, even permanent markers can be removed from your wall with a little more elbow grease. Of course, as we mentioned earlier, it is important to first test the cleaning tool on an inconspicuous area to ensure no damage is done to the wall.

5. Dried Food From Stove Tops and Microwaves

While the grime built up from spilled food over time can be tough to deal with, it isn’t stubborn enough to stop a Magic Eraser! A good scrubbing to the drip trays and the microwave walls will do the trick, and they’ll look good as new. The same goes for a stove top in need of some spot cleaning.

6. Grimy Bathroom Surfaces

The Magic Eraser can handle things like mineral buildup, soap scum, and mildew which commonly develop in a bathroom. Whether it’s the shower doors, mirrors, tile edges, or the ceramic itself, you can get rid of most bathroom stains with a good scrubbing.

7. Dirt From Keyboards

Obviously, your computer or laptop keyboard is prone to dirt that typically builds up in the form of patches. And while there are other ways to clean your keyboard, none beat the convenience of rubbing the dirt away with this awesome cleaning tool!

8. Tea/Coffee Mug Stains

One of the most stubborn yet common types of stains you will ever have to deal with is a coffee or tea stain in your favourite mug! No amount of scrubbing or dish soap seems to be enough to get rid of the stain completely, but lo and behold, the Magic Eraser can!

9. Adhesives From Various Surfaces

Sticky residue and adhesives from labels can be a pain to get out. In fact, the wrong technique or cleaning tool can even spread the sticky remnants around and cause a bigger mess. Using a Magic Eraser, on the other hand, works swiftly to extract the adhesive from the surface.

10. Rust Stains in the Bathroom

You know those rust rings that get left behind by wet metal cans like hairspray or shaving cream? Well, the next time you need to clean rust in your bathroom, forget about all the other methods you’ve used in the past, and go straight to wiping it away with your trusty ol’ Magic Eraser!

FINAL THOUGHTS

The brilliant engineering that went into developing a sponge that only needs water to clean is truly something to admire. While there may not be any real “magic” behind the Magic Eraser, it is certainly one of the most impressive cleaning tools out there and one of the more important cleaning tools in our end of lease cleaning caddies. The way it removes dirt and stains so easily from various surfaces truly makes it a staple in household cleaning supplies. To get the most out of them, you just need to know the right way to use Magic Erasers, and that’s exactly what you’ve in this article! So, happy cleaning to you!