It can be aggravating to try and clean a stubborn stain, especially when you’re working to remove it on a rough surface, or it takes too much of your precious time.
Fortunately, there’s an actual magic eraser available – lol. Magic erasers are my daily sponge – people look at me funny but I use them for everything and have for years. I don’t buy the store brand, though, I buy a lot more for less on Amazon.
Magic Eraser Tips and Tricks
Now I know I said I use them everywhere all the time as my daily sponge, but I don’t live in your house, so I am not telling you to do the same. That’s something only you’ll know if it will work for you. Let’s talk about the magic sponges.
1. Spot Test
The magic eraser’s sand-like texture might damage some finishes, such as glossy paint or varnished wood. So before using the magic eraser, test it on a small spot to ensure it won’t leave any marks or damage.
2. Moisten
Although magic erasers can be used dry, moistening the sponge will make it more effective in eliminating dirt. Like you’d do with a typical sponge, squeeze out any extra water after getting it wet.
3. Clean
By wiping the magic eraser along the surface, you’ll see a notable change in most dirt and grime. However, you might need to scrape away tough stains like mildew or rust.
You Might Like This: 21 MORE Household Cleaning Hacks
4. Soap
Magic Eraser is a “Durafoam” sponge marketed as a universal cleaning product that can remove anything without additional detergents or cleaning solutions. But, if you want to, you can also combine it with your choice of soap, I use it with Dawn often.
Ways To Use Magic Eraser You Might Not Know:
- Remove scuff marks from walls and baseboards: They’re excellent at removing scuff marks and stains from painted walls and baseboards without damaging the surface.
- Clean stubborn grime from kitchen appliances: Use them to tackle tough stains and grime on kitchen appliances like stovetops, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators. It can help remove grease, food residue, and even baked-on spills.
- Remove soap scum from bathroom surfaces: They work wonders on soap scum and mineral deposits on bathroom surfaces. Use it on shower doors, tiles, sinks, and faucets to restore their shine.
- Revive white sneakers: If your white sneakers have turned dingy or have scuff marks, they can help bring them back to life. Gently scrub the surface of the sneakers to remove dirt and marks, giving them a fresh look.
- Clean grout lines: They’re effective at removing dirt and grime from grout lines. Simply wet the eraser and scrub along the grout to restore its original color.
- Remove crayon marks from walls: If your little ones have left crayon marks on walls or furniture, these magic sponges can help eliminate them quickly and easily.
- Clean car interiors: They’re handy for cleaning car interiors. They can remove stains from upholstery, scuff marks from plastic surfaces, and even clean the dashboard and steering wheel.
- Remove nail polish stains: Accidentally spilled nail polish on a hard surface? Use one to gently scrub away the stain without damaging the surface. Story time: I remember in the 7th grade I got a brand new dress for school, I put it on and needed to fix my nails and I poured nail polish remover and it spilled on my dress and ate a hole straight through… I was so sad – I still remember that and what the dress looked like pre-hole… lol
- Refresh kitchen utensils: They can be used to clean and refresh kitchen utensils like cutting boards, utensil handles, and even plastic storage containers (they can remove the white marks in them – love this!).
- Remove hard water stains: Use them to tackle hard water stains on faucets, showerheads, and glass surfaces – like shower doors. It can help remove the mineral buildup and restore the shine.
- Clean sticky residue from surfaces: They’re great for removing sticky residue left behind by stickers, labels, or tape. Simply dampen the eraser and gently scrub the surface to remove the sticky residue.
- Remove ink and marker stains (including Sharpie): Whether it’s ink or marker stains on walls, furniture, or whiteboards, they can be effective in lifting the stains and restoring the surface.
- Clean dirty sneakers and shoes: They can be used to clean various types of shoes, including leather, canvas, and rubber. They can help remove dirt, scuffs, and stains, giving your shoes a fresh appearance.
- Remove coffee and tea stains from mugs: If your favorite mug has stubborn coffee or tea stains, they can help remove them with ease. Simply scrub the inside of the mug gently to restore its original color.
- Clean grill grates: Use them to clean grill grates and remove built-up grease and residue. It can make your grill look clean and ready for the next barbecue.
- Remove marker and crayon from furniture: They’re handy for removing marker and crayon marks from wooden furniture. Gently rub the eraser over the marks, and they should start to disappear.
- Clean oven doors: If your oven door has accumulated grease and grime, they can help cut through the buildup and make your oven door sparkle again.
- Remove rust stains: These sponges can be used to tackle rust stains on various surfaces, including metal furniture, tools, and even porcelain sinks.
- Clean dirty computer keyboards: Use them to clean and remove dirt, grime, and fingerprints from computer keyboards. It can help freshen up your workspace.
- Remove scuff marks from vinyl flooring: They work well for removing scuff marks and shoe marks from vinyl flooring without causing any damage.
Again, always remember to test it first on a small, hidden area before using to make it doesn’t cause any damage.
Keep in mind for smaller spaces or jobs you can cut them to fit the job. Use a pair of scissors and cut them in 4’s or whatever size you need.
Even More Uses
There are tons of uses for a magic eraser, and sometimes it can be hard to figure out where you can start. To get you started:
- Scrub away leftover dry food from your stove or microwave
- Get rid of mildew, mineral deposits, and soapy residue in your bathroom
- Clean the inside and outside of your refrigerator
- Remove the accumulated dirt on appliances
- Remove rust from the bathtub and bathroom vanity
- Clean sticky stains from wine bottles and glass jars
- Remove stains on counters caused by fruit-flavored drinks – This one I do often!
You Might Also Like This: A Clean Sweep: How to Tackle Spring Cleaning Room by Room
Where Should You Not Use It?
While they are very versatile cleaning tools, there are a few surfaces where you should not use them cause they could do damage:
- Delicate or glossy surfaces: They can be abrasive, so it’s best to avoid using them on delicate or glossy surfaces like polished marble, high-shine metals, or delicate wallpaper. They can potentially remove the finish or cause scratches.
- Electronic screens: Avoid using them on electronic screens like TVs, computer monitors, smartphones, or tablets. The abrasive nature of the eraser can damage the screen or remove protective coatings.
- Non-stick surfaces: It’s recommended to avoid using them on non-stick cookware or surfaces, such as Teflon-coated pans. The abrasive material can scratch the non-stick coating, reducing its effectiveness.
- Painted walls with flat or matte finish: They can be too abrasive for flat or matte painted walls. They can potentially remove the paint or leave a shiny spot, so it’s best to test in an inconspicuous area first.
- Natural stone surfaces: Avoid using them on natural stone surfaces like granite, marble, or travertine. The abrasive material can dull or scratch the stone, compromising its appearance.
Remember to read and follow the instructions provided with the Magic Eraser and always test on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on any surface to ensure compatibility and avoid any potential damage.
Say Goodbye to Dirt With Magic Eraser
There are tons of uses for a magic eraser. With magic erasers, you can clean thoroughly without wasting time on hard to clean surfaces or stubborn stains.
Leave a Reply