How to Use a Magic Eraser

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska and Amy Bobinger

Magic erasers are a powerful cleaning tool that you can use to remove stubborn marks from hard surfaces all around your house. Magic erasers are actually blocks of non-toxic melamine foam that act like super-fine sandpaper, making it easy to scrub away dirt and other stains.^{[1]
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Things You Should Know

Magic erasers can clean appliances, shoes, walls, dirty bathrooms, and paint or nail polish stains.
Test out the magic eraser on a small spot to ensure it won’t damage any surfaces.
Wet the magic eraser with a little water and scrub down any dirty surfaces you want to tackle with it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting the Basics Down

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Perform a spot test before you use the magic eraser on a surface. The sandpaper-like surface of a magic eraser can damage the finish on some surfaces, like varnished wood or glossy paint. Wet the magic eraser, then test it on a small spot before you start your project to make sure it won’t leave any damage.^{[2]
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Wet the magic eraser when you’re ready to use it. Magic erasers can actually be used dry, but adding a little water to the sponge will help it absorb dirt more easily, much like wetting a towel before wiping down counters.^{[3]
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- After you wet the eraser, squeeze out any excess water, just like you would with a regular sponge.
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Wipe down the surface you want to clean. For most dirt and grime, you’ll see a noticeable difference just by wiping the sponge across the surface. However, you might have to scrub stubborn stains like rust or mildew.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Cleaning Items around the House

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Use a magic eraser to make shoes look like new. It can be hard to remove scuff marks and other stains from shoes, but a magic eraser can remove signs of wear from your favorite sneakers. Gently buff materials like suede with the sponge, then wipe down the rubber around the soles.^{[5]
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Clean your refrigerator inside and out with a magic eraser. Magic erasers are great at removing the grimy fingerprints that build up on the outside of your fridge, as well as food spills, mildew, and other stains that can accumulate over time.^{[6]
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- Try using a small piece of magic eraser on the gasket around your refrigerator door to see a surprising difference!
EXPERT TIP

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

Magic erasers are a versatile cleaning tool. Ashley Matuska of Dashing Maids says: "In our cleaning business, we use magic erasers on white fridges, baseboards, doors, door trims, and to cut through grease on kitchen cabinets."
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Remove paint or nail polish stains once they’ve dried. Dried paint and nail polish can be really stubborn, but a little scrubbing with a magic eraser will usually remove them completely. This is especially effective for paint that has dripped on hard floors and hinges.
- A magic eraser is a great way to remove nail polish stains from surfaces that might be discolored by nail polish remover, like carpet or linoleum.
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Clean up wall art left by kids around the house. If your little artists have drawn with crayons or markers all over your walls, use a magic eraser to wipe them away. Just remember to do a spot test, since the sponge may dull the glossy finish on some paints.^{[7]
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- Magic erasers can even remove permanent marker stains! Just scrub a little extra until it's gone.
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Scrub away dried-on food from your stove or microwave. Once food splatters have dried on your stovetop or inside your microwave, they can seem impossible to clean, but if you scrub them with a magic eraser, your cooking surfaces will seem like new again.^{[8]
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- Use a magic eraser to clean the drip trays under your burners to get your stovetop looking like new again!
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Remove mildew, mineral buildup, and soap scum from your bathroom. Whether you’re tackling a stubborn ring around the toilet or a residue you can’t seem to clean from your shower walls, using a magic eraser in the bathroom will make everything sparkling clean, without the harsh chemicals used in most other cleaning products.^{[9]
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EXPERT TIP

"Magic erasers really cut through the soap scum on glass shower doors, tubs, and sinks."

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

Community Q&A
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Question

Are there chemicals in a magic eraser?

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The magic eraser doesn’t have any chemical cleaning agents or solvents in it. It’s made of melamine, a type of plastic. The eraser is slightly abrasive, so it rubs the dirt away instead of dissolving it or breaking it up chemically.
Question

How does the magic eraser work?

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Magic erasers are made of a slightly abrasive plastic foam. They simply scrub away dirt and stains.
Question

What surfaces should you not use the magic eraser on?

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Since the magic eraser is a little bit abrasive, don’t use it on anything with a delicate, high-shine surface, such as a granite countertop. They’ll also dull the appearance of stainless steel, the paint on your car, and glossy paint finishes in your home. Avoid using them on non-stick pans, since they can easily scratch up Teflon or ceramic.

Warnings

Even though magic erasers are nontoxic, they can still cause abrasions on the skin, and can still cause suffocation in toddlers and pets. Keep them out of reach of children.

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