Magic eraser is well-known for helping people get rid of the toughest, most challenging stains from nearly any surface. But given its abrasive quality, should you use it on mirrors, or will you end up scratching it?
You can use magic erasers to clean mirrors without worrying about scratching them. Use the magic eraser dry if you have a fogged-up mirror or liquid splatters on the surface. But if you have streaks and stains, you should use it wet. Just make sure you’re not too rough.
Especially if you have kids around, there’s a high chance that your mirror always has some stain. So whether it’s your car rearview mirror, the bathroom mirror, or the mirror in your lounge, will using a magic eraser harm it? Let’s take a look.
What is a Magic Eraser?
Magic eraser (on Amazon) is essentially a Durafoam sponge advertised as the only cleaning tool you need to help remove everything ranging from soap scums to crayons and permanent markers.
All you have to do is dampen the sponge, and it’ll deal with the stains and scuffs without a cleaning solution or detergents.
The reason for a magic eraser’s effectiveness is melamine, a nitrogen-rich organic base with a unique abrasiveness that makes it a powerful cleaning tool. When solid, it’s a powerful abrasive and is used for various things like sound insulation on bullet trains, Formica tables, and dry-erase boards.
Melamine foam is porous and hard. It acts more like sandpaper with tiny air pockets that scrape off the stains and less like a detergent that works by breaking down the stains.
These air pockets resemble inverted triangles that become as tough as glass when activated with water. The points at the triangle’s bottom stick to the stain and drag across the surface, just like a windshield wiper.
Can You Clean a Mirror with a Magic Eraser?
A magic eraser is safe on glass, so you can use it on your mirror without worrying about ruining it. Of course, the magic eraser will leave behind a squeaky clean, neat, and glistening mirror, but you need to be mindful of the cleaning you want the magic eraser to do.
A magic eraser can be used both dry and wet, but both have different purposes.
You should use the magic eraser dry if there’s hard water spots on the mirror or if you have a fogged-up mirror because of the cold or heat. It can help to remove water droplets from the surface.
Meanwhile, if your mirror has cosmetic or food stains, detergent marks, hard water residue, or dried traces of stickers, then you should use a wet magic eraser soaked in a cleaning product.
What Else Can You Clean with a Magic Eraser?
In addition to mirrors (or other kinds of glass), a magic eraser can also be used for several other stains. You can use it to clean:
- Scuff marks on walls, baseboards, floors, etc.
- Markers and crayons from furniture and walls.
- Rings around the rim of your tea and coffee mugs.
- The sides of your tennis shoes to restore their luster.
- Dried paint from hard surfaces like door hinges, walls, and floors.
- Soap scum on tubs and shower glass.
- Fiberglass, tile, and grout.
- Old marker left behind on dry-erase boards to make the surface sparkling clean.
- Stubborn sink drains and down and around the toilet.
- Rust on different surfaces.
- The inside of a cooler to remove the ring that often forms after a couple of months of use.
- Caked-on messes from the microwave.
- Car windows
- Dirt and grime from your computer keys (but do it gently so as not to remove the lettering).
- Pet and grass stains, food, and dirt from patio furniture, especially white ones.
What Should Not Be Cleaned with a Magic Eraser?
You should avoid cleaning finished wood, glossy, or delicate wood surfaces with a magic eraser. Other things you should avoid cleaning with it include:
Your Car or Other Delicately Painted Surfaces
Despite the foam’s soft texture, a magic eraser has the abrasiveness of 3000-grit sandpaper once it’s wet. So you should avoid using it on finely painted surfaces like your car. Otherwise, you’ll end up scratching it.
Delicate Countertops
Again, it would be best if you did not use them on marble, granite, or other fine stone surfaces because of their abrasiveness. Using them on such counters can remove the sealant and make them look dull.
Nonstick Pans and Pots
A magic eraser is not a dish sponge and should not be used to wipe down nonstick pans and pots since that’ll only scratch their surface. Plus, doing so will release chemicals from the coating that will leech into your food.
Stainless Steel
Don’t use a magic eraser on any stainless steel surface at home. If you scrub it too much or too hard, it’ll break down the high gloss finish applied to most stainless steel appliances. As a result, you’ll end up with a scratched or dulled patina.