These sponges have become a staple in cleaning caddies, but they don’t work the way many people may think they do.
“A lot of people think there’s something special going on chemically, but it’s really a physical removal process,” says Bill Carroll, an adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University. “It works like a very fine sandpaper. You’re abrading the material off the surface.”
Eraser sponges are made from the same stuff as soundproofing materials — essentially chunks of melamine with fibers containing lots of tiny holes — according to Jason Tetro, a microbiologist based in Edmonton, Alberta, and author of “The Germ Files.” Picture a plastic mesh scrubber you might use in the kitchen, Carroll says; that’s what an eraser sponge looks like on a microscopic level.
“It’s really great for things you wouldn’t think a sponge would be good for,” Tetro says. “It acts essentially as a bulldozer to stubborn stains.”
Eraser sponges are easy to find online and in grocery and big-box stories. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers may be the best-known brand; others include Oh My Clean Eraser Sponges, Scotch-Brite Easy Eraser, 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 it’s wet,” Tetro says. If you use them dry, they’re too abrasive and could damage or scratch the surface you’re cleaning and “they break apart a lot faster and you get more dust,” he adds.
Dragging the damp sponge across a surface helps loosen and soften the debris you want to remove; then you can use a damp cloth or the other side of the eraser sponge to wipe off lingering dirt.
Before tackling a large area, it’s best to do a spot-test where it won’t be visible — such as the underside of a piece of furniture or the inside of a cabinet.
“That way if it does not come out as intended, it isn’t noticeable and you do not ruin the whole item,” says Dan Deonarain, owner of Galaxy Maids, a residential and commercial cleaning company based in New York.
After using the sponge, rinse it with clean water, gently squeeze out the excess fluid and store it in a clean, dry place. As you reuse it, the surface will slough off and it will get smaller. That’s normal, says Brian Sansoni, senior vice president for communications, outreach and membership for the American Cleaning Institute in Washington. You can continue to use it as long as it’s effective.
Because of their abrasive texture, eraser sponges aren’t 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 the tiles and grout in bathtubs and showers, and clean shower curtains and doors. “It’s really the ultimate multipurpose product,” for bathroom surfaces, Sansoni says.
- Walls and baseboards: Use eraser sponges gently to clean walls painted with a matte finish. They can remove crayon, scuff marks, fingerprints, pet drool and other forms of dirt, Sansoni says. They’re also highly effective at cleaning painted baseboards, doors, and cabinets, as well as light switch plates, when used with a gentle touch. Even if these surfaces have a semi-gloss finish, they can take a light scrub. Don’t use an eraser sponge on wood surfaces with high-gloss paint, though, because it will damage the finish. And skip outlet covers, because you don’t want to risk getting moisture inside them.
- The fridge, microwave and dishwasher: Use an eraser sponge to quickly get rid of spills, splatters and other stains on plastic or glass on the insides of kitchen appliances, Tetro says. Don’t use it on stainless steel appliances, though; it could damage the surface.
- White shoes: A damp eraser sponge will remove dirt, grass stains and scuff marks from white rubber shoe soles, and you can use it gently to clean white leather shoes.
- Stovetops: Eraser sponges are a great tool for removing food splatters that dry and harden on your stovetop. Keep in mind, though, that “melamine is not a disinfectant, so after you remove the stain, you’re going to have to use a separate disinfectant,” Tetro says.
- Your car’s exterior: You might think you’re doing a great job of removing bird poop, pollen and other debris from your car, but these sponges could badly scratch the surface.
- Delicate countertops: Eraser sponges could remove the protective sealant from granite, marble and other natural stone counters, scratching the surface and/or making it look dull, Tetro says. (It is safe to use them on laminate counters.)
- Nonstick pots and pans: An eraser sponge likely will scratch nonstick surfaces, allowing small flakes of the coating (and the chemicals it contains) to get into food.
- Wood furniture: These abrasive sponges can strip the finish on wood furniture and wood floors, Sansoni says.
- Electronic device screens. Skip the eraser sponge on computers, phones, or TVs; it 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 is not safe to use an eraser sponge on your teeth or skin, Sansoni says. It can remove the enamel on teeth and irritate skin. His advice: “Pay attention to the surfaces it’s great on and avoid the surfaces it’s not. These are not meant for skin or teeth.”
