While these foam sponges do make a variety of cleaning tasks easier, they're not the right tool for every job!
Jill Nystul·February 15, 2024
When used properly, a Magic Eraser can make cleaning faster and easier than almost any other cleaning tool could. But while I really like them and use them frequently while cleaning my own home, I also realize that a Magic Eraser is NOT the best tool for every cleaning job!
Magic Erasers are made from melamine foam, which acts like a very fine sandpaper. It’s great for cleaning stubborns marks and messes, but it can also scratch certain surfaces and remove protective finishes. And that’s what I’ll be helping you avoid in today’s post!
Today I’m sharing a list of five things you should avoid cleaning with a Magic Eraser. I’ve also included some general tips that will help you use Magic Erasers safely and minimize potential damage. With the help of the tips in today’s post, you’ll never have to wonder when you should or shouldn’t use this amazing cleaning sponge!
5 Things You Should Never Clean With A Magic Eraser
1. Stone Countertops
Abrasive materials like a Magic Eraser can remove the protective seal on your stone countertops. Without that protective seal, your stone could be vulnerable to scratches, stains, and other forms of permanent damage.
What To Use Instead: Use my easy-to-make homemade granite cleaner and a microfiber cloth to wipe down stone countertops. Microfiber cloths are gentle, yet effective, plus they’re easy to wash. This combo will keep your stone countertops clean, shiny, and protected!
2. Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware requires special care, mainly because of how easily the nonstick coating can scratch, especially if you clean it with abrasive materials like a Magic Eraser. Once a nonstick pan is scratched, the chemicals from the nonstick coating can leach out into your food—no one wants that!
What To Use Instead: Hand wash your nonstick pans with a soft sponge and a bit of dish soap. If you have a really stubborn mess on your hands, use a bit of baking soda to help loosen it up.
Related: 11 Ways You’re Ruining Your Nonstick Pans
3. Stainless Steel
Even with as durable as stainless steel can be, using a Magic Eraser to clean it will likely end up leaving small scratches on the surface. While some people are fine with scratches and scuffs on their stainless steel, other people may want to protect that super shiny finish for as long as possible.
What To Use Instead: Clean stainless steel pots and pans with Bar Keepers Friend and a soft, wet sponge. (Learn more about the many amazing uses for Bar Keepers Friend here!)
4. Screens
The screens of your electronics (including your phone, tablet, TV, or computer) need to be cleaned super gently to avoid scratching them. That means that Magic Erasers are a big no-no for cleaning screens!
What To Use Instead: Clean the screens of your electronics with my homemade screen cleaner solution and a clean microfiber cloth.
5. Your Car
Your car’s paint job is covered in a protective coating or wax, which helps protect the paint and make your car easier to clean. But a Magic Eraser can rub right through that protective coating down to the paint easily!
You can use a Magic Eraser to remove particularly stubborn bugs from the front end of your car, but just make sure to be conscious of how much force you are using.
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What To Use Instead: Washing your car by hand is usually the safest way to clean it. especially if you do it using microfiber cloths. But if that’s not your thing, you can always take it through a touchless or soft-touch car wash!
BONUS: 4 Tips For Using Magic Erasers Safely
- Don’t use them dry. Wetting down a Magic Eraser softens the sponge and makes them less likely to scratch the surface you’re cleaning.
- Do a spot test. When in doubt about whether you should use your Magic Eraser, do a spot test in an inconspicuous spot to see how it fares.
- Wear gloves. The superfine abrasive material can aggravate your skin, especially if you already have sensitive skin to begin with. Wearing a pair of rubber gloves will keep your hands safe!
- Be gentle. Always rub as gently as you can while still removing dirt and grime. Using too much pressure can not only scratch surfaces, but it can also take paint right off your walls.
What Should I Clean With A Magic Eraser?
Just because a Magic Eraser isn’t the best tool for the cleaning jobs above, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever use it! Magic Erasers are one of my go-to cleaning tools, and they make so many cleaning tasks so much faster and easier for me.
Check out the very best uses for Magic Erasers!
What’s your favorite way to use Magic Erasers?
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