How to make your own Magic Eraser

The first time I used a magic eraser, I remember thinking “Ok this really is magic! How the heck did that work?" Well, my friends, I have done the research for you. So read on if you want to know the secret behind the magic... and three hacks for creating a little magic using products you probably already have in your home!

Magic erasers are Malamine Foam which is material made of a formaldehyde–melamine–sodium bisulfite copolymer. Although we all tend to see red flags when we see the word "formaldehyde" the company assures us that this word is just part of the name of a compound that is similar to salt. It is a scientific name for a porous material that acts like very fine sandpaper to remove stains. Melamine foam is soft on the outside, but uniquely abrasive on the inside with small pockets of air that lift stains when damp. You can get the name brand version for roughly 1.50 per sponge, or a generic version for 1 dollar each. Anyone who has used these know that they break down as you scrub, and for tough cleaning jobs you could go through quite a few of them.

But here's the secret-- did you know that there really isn’t any magic in these erasers? They are just melamine sponges with a cleaning agent. You could literally just buy Melamine sponges for around 25 cents each and achieve this same cleaning power by getting them wet or by dipping the sponge in a mixture of ingredients you probably have around your house.

To make your own Magic Eraser

Hack 1

1/2 cup warm water

1 T of baking soda

1 tsp of super washing soda

Soak a melamine sponge in solution, squeeze out excess and use!

While these sponges are not considered toxic they are non recyclable, and not fully biodegradable. You can rabbit hole down the trail of research on whether they are bad for the environment… or you can skip the melamine altogether and try the next two ways Magic Eraser hacks and achieve this same type of cleaning power.

Magic Eraser Hack 2

This version is great for countertops or flat surfaces.

Sprinkle Baking Soda on the stain or soil you would like to remove.

Add one drop of Lemon Essential Oil

Give a little spritz of All Purpose Cleaning Spray

Use your finger to rub the ingredients into the stain.

Wipe away with a damp cloth.

Magic Eraser Hack 3

This version is great for walls or vertical surfaces.

Put 2-3 tsp of baking soda into a small dish

Wet a sponge and squeeze out excess water

Dip the sponge into the baking soda

Scrub over the stain or soil

Wipe with damp cloth

And it's really that simple!!

If you want to want to go the extra mile with sustainability:

-purchase sponges that can be washed a re-used

-buy your baking soda in cardboard boxes vs plastic bags

-buy in bulk!

Let me know if you tried these magic eraser hacks, and what you think!

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.