If you don't have Mr. Clean Magic Erasers in your arsenal of cleaning products, you're missing out. It may well be the most aptly named cleaning product out there, "Magic" is the perfect description of this little miracle sponge!
The Mr. Clean website touts it's multipurpose effectiveness on:
Household ItemsErasing dust, grime, scuffs, crayon and fingerprints from walls, trim, baseboards, dirty plastic storage containers, drawer organizers, garbage cans, bathroom soap scum, kitchen counters, desks and metal sinks
Kids' stuffRemoving dirt and marks off plastic dolls, toys, booster seats, figurines, play sets
Pets' stuffCleaning dirt and stains on metal or plastic pet crates and carriers - no harsh chemicals makes it a safe cleaner to use around pets
Personal itemsRemoves pen, dirt and scuffs from leather shoes, purses and luggage.
Other places this sponge will work "Magic":Grimy doors and light switches, greasy stove knobs, refrigerator handles and interiors, cupboards (inside and outside), the kitchen back splash, the inside of the microwave and toaster oven door, removing hard water deposits and stains, removing rust marks from stainless steel flatware, cleaning mini-blinds, the inside of window frames, marked up linoleum floors, candle wax drips, grimy printer or copier buttons, dirty flip flops, white sneakers, removing tarnish, cleaning dirty grout, set-in stains in tea and coffee makers, the plastic parts on PCs - keyboard/monitor/mouse, can opener nooks & crannies, removing buildup on your iron, on dry erase boards, boat seats, mildewy boat cushions (even fabric), marked/stained/mildewed outdoor furniture & dirty coolers
Where NOT to use the Magic Eraser:Shiny or glossy surfaces, paneling or finished wood surfaces and formica counter tops
How it works:The secret behind this type of sponge is
melamine foam. With just a little water, melamine foam can dig in and destroy stains that other products can't touch. It's actually been around for about 20 years and has a variety of applications. Melamine is a resin used in construction and the automotive industry as a sound barrier and flame retardant. It also imparts strength and is used in products like dinnerware and laminate counter tops. Melamine foam erasers are formed differently than other cleaning products and only need water to effectively clean most stains, no chemical cleaners or soaps required. The only downfall is that melamine foam erasers wear out quickly, much like pencil erasers do.
Ready to get your geek on?To understand the secret of how it miraculously removes so many thin
gs, even 'lifting' dirt stuck inside grooves, you need to get down to the microscopic level. When melamine resin cures into foam, its microstructure becomes very hard, allowing it to perform on stains a lot like superfine sandpaper. This particular type of foam has an open-cell structure full of air pockets between fine filaments, visualize a loofah sponge as an example. So, in addition to gently scraping at stains with extremely hard microscopic filaments, the dirt is pulled into the open spaces between the spindly skeletal strands in the sponge and bound there. Sheer genius!
TIP: To make it last longer, cut it into 4 pieces
Finally! A beautiful way to reuse empty jars! Grab some old wire (hangers will work too), toss a candle inside, hang them from a tree in the backyard, and voila... a gorgeous candlelit setting for a romantic dinner for 2 or a summer night dinner party!
