These sponges have become a staple of cleaning carts, but they don’t work the way many people think.
“A lot of people think there’s something special going on chemically, but it’s actually a physical elimination process,” says Bill Carroll, an assistant professor of chemistry at Indiana University. “It works like very fine sandpaper. You abrade the material from the surface.
Gum sponges are made from the same stuff as soundproofing materials — essentially pieces of melamine with fibers containing many small holes — according to Jason Tetro, a microbiologist based in Edmonton, Alberta, and author of “The Germ Files. Imagine a plastic scrubbing brush that you could use in the kitchen, says Carroll; This is what a sponge eraser looks like on a microscopic level.
“It’s really great for things you wouldn’t think a sponge would be good for,” says Tetro. “It basically acts like a bulldozer to remove stubborn stains.”
Eraser sponges are easy to find online, in grocery stores, and at big box stores. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers is perhaps the most well-known brand; others include Oh My Clean Eraser Sponges, Scotch-Brite Easy Eraser Sponges, Dirt Devil Eraser Sponges, Scrubit Eraser Sponges, and generic brands.
How to use eraser sponges
“The first rule is to use it gently and always use it when wet,” says Tetro. If you use them dry, they’re too abrasive and could damage or scratch the surface you’re cleaning and “they break down a lot faster and you get more dust,” he adds.
Dragging the damp sponge across a surface helps loosen and soften debris you want to remove; Then you can use a damp cloth or the other side of the eraser sponge to wipe away the stubborn dirt.
Before tackling a large area, it is best to do a spot test where it will not be visible, such as the underside of a piece of furniture or the inside of a cabinet.
“That way, if it doesn’t turn out as expected, it doesn’t get noticed and you don’t ruin the whole thing,” says Dan Deonarain, owner of Galaxy Maids, a residential and commercial cleaning company based in New York City. .
After using the sponge, rinse it with clean water, squeeze it gently to remove excess liquid, and store it in a clean, dry place. As you reuse it, the surface will become loose and smaller. That’s normal, says Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, outreach and membership at the American Cleaning Institute in Washington. You can continue to use it as long as it is effective.
Due to their abrasive texture, sponge erasers are not safe for all surfaces. Here’s a look at where you can and can’t use them.
- Bathtubs, showers, sinks: Eraser sponges are a great tool for removing dirt and soap scum, as well as water and rust stains, from bathroom fixtures. They can also brighten tile and grout in tubs and showers, as well as clean shower curtains and doors. “It really is the ultimate multi-purpose product” for bathroom surfaces, says Sansoni.
- Walls and plinths: Gently use scrub sponges to clean walls painted with a matte finish. They can remove colored pencils, scratches, fingerprints, pet drool and other forms of dirt, says Sansoni. They are also very effective in cleaning painted baseboards, doors and cabinets, as well as switch plates, when used gently. Although these surfaces have a semi-gloss finish, they may be subject to light scrubbing. Do not use a sponge eraser on wood surfaces with high gloss paint, as this will damage the finish. And avoid outlet covers, as you don’t want to risk getting moisture inside.
- The refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher: Use a sponge eraser to quickly remove spills, splatters and other stains from plastic or glass inside kitchen appliances, says Tetro. Do not use it on stainless steel appliances; this could damage the surface.
- White shoes: A damp eraser sponge will remove dirt, grass stains and scuffs from white rubber shoe soles, and you can use it gently to clean white leather shoes.
- Cookers: Eraser sponges are a great tool for removing food splatters that dry and harden on your stove. Keep in mind, however, that “melamine is not a disinfectant, so after removing the stain, you will need to use a separate disinfectant,” says Tetro.
- The exterior of your car: You may think you’re doing a great job removing bird droppings, pollen, and other debris from your car, but those sponges could seriously scratch the surface.
- Delicate countertops: Sponge erasers could remove the protective sealant from granite, marble and other natural stone countertops, scratching the surface and/or making it dull, Tetro says. (They are safe to use on laminate countertops.)
- Non-stick pots and pans: A sponge eraser will likely scratch nonstick surfaces, allowing small flakes of the coating (and the chemicals it contains) to enter the food.
- Wooden furniture: These abrasive sponges can strip the finish of wooden furniture and floors, says Sansoni.
- Electronic device screens. Avoid eraser on computers, phones or televisions; This could scratch the device’s screen and damage its anti-glare finish, Tetro says.
- Your body: Contrary to what you may have seen on TikTok, it’s not safe to use a sponge eraser on your teeth or skin, says Sansoni. It can remove tooth enamel and irritate the skin. His advice: “Pay attention to the surfaces it’s good on and avoid the ones it’s not.” These are not intended for skin or teeth.
