But having just bought some, we wondered if it was possible to make a homemade version. Was is possible to make a little magic of our own? As with most things, the answer is YES! After a little research we found that all these products are is melamine foam! Apparently, melamine foam is an open cell foam that, when mixed with water, acts like a super micro-fine sandpaper easily removing the toughest stains around your house!We looked into purchasing some melamine foam from our local big box hardware store, but was told they don't carry it. Because melamine foam is used as a soundproofing material, we found you can find it at stores specializing in that area (we were also able to find it on Amazon.com!).
Who knew making a little magic would be so easy?
Wow...I knew there had to be something special about those little sponges! And the "sandpapery-ness" must be whey they tell you not to use it on stainless steel, which superfine as it is, might still scratch?
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'll probably keep buying the sponges from the store...and I've found the generics from Target and whatnot work pretty well also for a better price...but I'm happy to know what is in it! Thanks for chekcing into it you cool brainy chicks, you!
:)
a.
LOL Well, good for you! for tracking that down - and sharing it with the rest of us. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you ma'am! I'll have to track that down, I've been curious to try to product but too thrifty to throw down the cash :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's great info. Those sponges work great, but I use them very sparingly since they are about $1 each. Great detective work, ladies!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting!! I thought there was some sort of chemical in these?
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic info!
ReplyDeleteWell, who knew! I am in love with the Mr. Clean magic erasers. Thanks for the source!
ReplyDeleteBrittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Great tip! I am glad to know exactly what that stuff really is.
ReplyDeleteHi There!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...I always wondered what made them work! It's funny, this morning I realized I was out of Magic Erasers!
I'm visiting from Just Something... Have a great week!
LOVE this! I use magic erasers ALL THE TIME! THanks for the info :)
ReplyDeleteWhaaaat!! That is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow I had NO idea! Those are awesome for cleaning up, just about everything. Thanks for sharing this great tip at A Crafty Soiree! Please join us next time too!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of a story where a child was playing with one and developed a horrific rash and burns all over her face. I thought it was because they contain chemicals. But perhaps ot was simply the material. Please be careful when allowing children to use them.
ReplyDeleteMelamine is a highly toxic carcinogin, which would fall into the 'chemical' category, just fyi.
ReplyDeletei think it's carcinogenic mostly if you ingest it.
ReplyDeletei have some chemical sensitivities and i can use them no problem, they are a much better alternative for me than chemical cleaners. i would suggest using them with a plastic glove on your hand if you have sensitive skin.
Wear a mask too bc the FDA lists it as" Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Chronic exposure may cause cancer or reproductive damage. Eye, skin and respiratory irritant"...
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the discussion about the safety of Magic Erasers. I heard that they contain Formaldehyde in unsafe levels.
ReplyDeleteNEVER EVER Buy anything from Amazon! Please I do hope you remove the link as they are very creepy. They will sell books or games about "anything" and should be gone!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40112145/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/amazon-defends-pedophiles-guide/
This only one story but they have a Video game that you must rape a mother and her daughters, and so on .
You have a great site and I love it - just never wish to see Amazon get a plug
You will find "bad" things just about anywhere you look if you look hard enough. I think companies try to keep those types of things off of their websites but when you are as huge as Amazon I would think a few get through. Anyone who is upset about ideas they sell should drop them an email and tell them so. If enough people write maybe they will pull them. I don't think amazon is a bad company. But I could be wrong. Sharron.. I'm not saying you are wrong by any means…if they sell those items they are WRONG!
ReplyDeleteBTW curiosity got the best of me so I had to see if this was still on Amazon. I could not find it. There are books about pedophiles but.. teaching type books to help parents. I didn't look very long so it could still be there.. I couldn't stand even looking at any of it. I guess I'm just trying to say I wouldn't personally boycott Amazon at this point. Thanks for sharing this info though.. I will keep my eyes out and write letters when they have things that should not be there. BTW you do know Ebay sells some really "shocking" things I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWhat Sharon is referring to is REAL & was quickly pulled by Amazon. Besides... there is a clear line between shocking & just plain wrong!
ReplyDeleteGreat site here though :-)
If it is just a sponge, why when you "wring" the magic erasers after getting them wet, does a white chemical liquid come out of it? There has to be more to it, then some sound proofing foam..
ReplyDeleteThe book that was listed from Amazon, was part of a sting operation to catch the monsters. Amazon was helping law enforcement catch pedophiles, not promote them. And the rape video game is just some old urban legend thrown in for good measure, there is no mother/daughter raper game.
ReplyDeleteI read over the reviews of the melamine sponges on Amazon a while back, and saw that the type they sell is very small. This may not make a difference to some people, but it did to me.
ReplyDeleteAmazon is a wonderful company. (I used to work for a company owned by them). I'm not a terrible person by any means. I'd like to say the same for my past co-workers. You can buy "bad stuff" on ANY website. Just because it didn't end up on the news doesnt mean it's not there :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Walmart brand "Miracle Cleaning Erasers" I have never tried the Mr. Clean brand because the walmart ones work great and are super cheap!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this in formative post. I really love these magic erasers because they help mo so much with my cleaning (and so are maids Eden Prairie as well). I got twins and they just mess up the entire house. Well, I do not blame them because kids are kids. Anyway, I am a little interested to try this melamine foam and see if it works just the same. Thank you, too, for sharing that site with that “warning label.”
ReplyDeleteSince it is basically microabrasion, I'd be curious to know how baking soda and a damp dish cloth compare. You can use that even on stainless steel ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! That's good to know. Magic Erasers are costly, but they are wonderful! I may check out the store brands... I always have good intentions of making something and then nothing! LOL
ReplyDeleteA - I don't get the furor over Magic Erasers. I found them to be mediocre at best.
ReplyDeleteB - Everything is a chemical. Some are good sometimes and bad other times. Be informed and make your choices.