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Magic erasers can clean almost everything! Photo: Pyrex Love
Eraser cleaning blocks aren't just for taking marks off of walls.
From Mr. Clean's original "magic eraser" to the generic options, eraser cleaning blocks have made cleaning easier, less messy and dare we say...even fun! Sure, these foam blocks can get the gunk off walls (sometimes even upholstery if you're careful) and other household surfaces, but there are so many more uses for these little blocks of heaven. Here are 20 unusual uses for an eraser block to make the most of your spring cleaning time:
Quick Tip: Cut up one eraser block into four little blocks. It'll make your purchase last longer, and, it'll make it easier for you to get into smaller nooks and crannies.
1. Outdoor Furniture and Toys
Take grungy white resin or white painted furniture by lightly scrubbing with an eraser cleaning block. The eraser gets into crevices and cracks while leaving paint finishes intact. The same principle applies to outdoor plastic toys.
2. Pool Liners
Pool owners, this will make your life easier: A gentle scrubbing on your liner will get rid of the water mark better than any other product.
3. Vinyl
Take an eraser to scuffs on just about anything made from vinyl: siding, boat seats, shoes, etc.
4. Car Interiors
Clean the car seats with an eraser block: Go lightly on leather, but it's okay on fabric and vinyl, lightly scrub the car steering wheel. Eraser blocks get rid of grease streaks left inside after the car's been to the shop, too.
5. Hubcaps
Clean your car's hubcaps with an eraser for a water-free car wash.
6. Refrigerator
Get rid of last year's drippings that are pooled in the back of the fridge. It'll take a whole eraser block, but it gets the job done. The seals that have gotten a bit black and moldy will also respond well to an eraser.
7. Dishwasher Interior
What are those colors inside your dishwasher from time to time? Lime, mold, ewww. Just take an eraser to them and the stains will banish.
8. Bathtub and Sinks
Getting rid of dirt and water marks is easier (and not so gross) with an eraser block. Bathtubs can take a tough scrub, but go lightly on sinks -- even a light scrub gets rid of that caked on dirt that you often can't see until you try to get it off.
9. Rust Removal
Scrub anywhere (around pipes in kitchen and bath) that you see rust.
10. Computer
A magic eraser gets rid of oil and dirt that has built up on your keyboard and mouse; you can use it on laptops, too.
11. Phones
Use one on your phone's mouthpiece, too -- it gets rid of the same grime that builds up on your computer.
12. Bugs
Wherever there are smooshed bugs (porch pillars, car windshields, interior walls, exterior doors, exterior light fixtures) wipe them away with an eraser block.
13. Glass Stove Tops
No need to have special stove top cleaner on hand, get rid of burned-on food by lightly scrubbing until the gunk is gone.
14. Dishes and Glassware
Rub hard-to-clean build-up off of thrift store dishes and glassware, like Pyrex bowls, following advice from the blog Pyrex Love.
15. Gutters
Get rid of green slime that builds up on gutters with an eraser. It's another ewww-worthy task, but it'll be almost effortless with an eraser.
16. Mirrors (and Windows)
Many fans of eraser blocks swear it gives them a streak-free and clean mirror, if the pad is slightly damp when you give it a light scrub.
17. Floors
Erase scuff marks, old paint drips-great for most floors (but always go lightly, especially on finished wood).
18. Grout
Which leads us to grout. The eraser does well with most grout (except really old and darkened-beyond-help grout that will remain gray even with best scrubbing efforts).
19. Granite countertops
Everyone is afraid to scrub granite, but an eraser pad, used at first gently and then with a little more oomph as the stains disappear, will indeed get stubborn stains out of granite.
20. Leather
You can use and eraser lightly on leather upholstery, purses or shoes to lift up marks -- just be sure to use a gentle touch.
(Disclaimer-never use eraser cleaning blocks to clean skin, animal fur, glossy, brushed, satin or dark painted surfaces-including appliances, and lastly, never use on delicate fabrics.)
(Disclaimer-never use eraser cleaning blocks to clean skin, animal fur, glossy, brushed, satin or dark painted surfaces-including appliances, and lastly, never use on delicate fabrics.)
Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)
It seems to me that I read that you should not use this on a black glass stove top--that it will leave fine scratches. Am I wrong?
ReplyI, too, found that cutting them into smaller pieces makes them easier to handle and also last longer. They work wonders on my white countertops and also the white textured-finish refrigerator. (Not my choice -- the previous homeowner chose these.) My resin patio furniture also comes out clean. The only downside to them is that the item has to be rinsed well a couple of times to get the residue off. I only use them on items that don't clean up well with ordinary soap and water, or vinegar and water solution.
Replythese things are magic!!! They will take marks off of walls and not damage the paint. I have gotten things clean with the magic erasers that I never thought would be clean again. They are a must-have!!
ReplyWho writes these articles? It seems they are either so obvious they don't warrant reading or they are ridiculous. First off, although I love those sponges, one gets bunched up and unusable after a few minutes and they aren't cheap, water from your faucet is. Some of these items are way too large to spend cleaning by hand (vs. hosing it down, power washing, etc.) - e.g. pool liner, vinyl siding, gutters, floors. My dishwasher (over a decade old) has never gotten moldy, mildewed or rusty. A half a tissue is sufficient to clean my keyboard, mouse or phone (and only a can of air cleans those other areas where this product is useless anyway). As I said for the rest, water and a rag or regular reusable sponge is cheaper than using this product.
ReplyMagic Eraser is great to clean window screens and was not mentioned. No water necessary!
Replythe headline read "unusual ideas" theese aren't unusual....ughhhhh aol
ReplyMagic Eraser is also great for taking boot/shoe scuffs off of motorcycle exhaust pipes (while they're cool of course). These are the greatest thing since sliced bread.... LOL
ReplyDoes anyone know what is in these things? I always figured it was ammonia, so I would never use it in a chlorine (bleach) pool.
ReplyFormaldehyde. Carcinogenic. I suggest you only use them with gloves and never where there is going to be any food and store them outside in the garage.
It works great for cleaning irons also. Have your iron on and the eraser wet. It takes the built up
Replystarch right off.
I you are going to clean your gutters with the eraser, why not all the vinyl siding on your house while you are at it?
ReplyUse a damp sos pad for black glass stove top's burned on food. Use light fast small back and forth strokes. It won't scratch I swear and I've been in cleaning business since 1989. I use it on mine and people always say my stove looks brand new.
ReplyUse magic eraser with Dawn detergent on glass shower doors or use sos pad. And use eraser with a spray cleaner with bleach such as Lysol on tough marks on concrete basement floors. The knock off brand erasers work just as well and are much cheaper.
Plus these are made in Buffalo, NY. NOT China!
ReplyITS A GREAT PRODUCT, IT ERASED MY EX OUT OF MY LIFE AND THE GREASY RING HE LEFT IN THE TUB.LOL
ReplyFor owners of drooly dogs: Magic Erasers will take dried dog slingers off the wall in seconds. Just wet and rub gently. For some reason, it works better if you do it lightly.
ReplyNo, seriously. Some dogs have a drooling issue. I have English Mastiffs, and while I have scattered small towels around the house to wipe their faces when they drool, sometimes a quick shake of their heads will send slingers flying. Mr Clean Magic erasers work so well I emailed the company and told them they should be advertising in dog and pet magazines.
My dogs love to snot up windows and I've tried every product to get it off. Magic erasers work wonders. Just scrub the dried snot with a moist eraser pad and then the windows will clean beautifully with a regular glass cleaner. No major scrubbing involved.
ReplyI purchased one of these so called time saving devices once... it didn't do anything that it claimed to. When I wet it, it didn't even produce any kind of "magic" foam like it shows on TV. Sorry, but I woudn't buy another one.... didn't live up its promises in my eyes.
ReplyBe careful on vinyl siding. Though it does cleans it also shines. I used it to get artillary fungus spots off my siding and was left with glossy spots all over.
ReplyRather then removing the lampshade, or trying to dust it with a cloth, just hold the shade and wipe with the eraser and the dust and pet hair comes right off!
Replyyou can use these to get rid of scrathes on dvds. Use dry in straight lines from center of disc to outside edge, very gently! You will see scrathes, but they will not interefere (i promise). I've fixed numerous disks my 1 year old has chewed on, thrown around, and used as a frisbee. Fixed everyone one of them, and now they play like new. If you don't believe me, just try it on a disk your are about to throw out, what do you have to lose.
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