Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
I don’t see very many commercials these days since we record all our TV shows on the DVR, then fast-forward through the ads. However, the other day I actually made JB stop and rewind a Mr. Clean ad, which is one of the more pathetic things I’ve ever had to admit. No, wait, this is: I watched it TWICE.
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser commercial shows people merrily swiping up grime with this blocky white sponge, I can’t remember exactly what it was about the ad that caught my eye but I was weirdly brainwashed. Must..buy…Magic Eraser.
Well, I bought one today – four, actually, because that’s how many came in the box – and used it to clean up my kitchen.
PEOPLE. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser has CHANGED MY LIFE.
I do not know how it works. Perhaps it really is magic. But this soft, foam-blocklike thing cleans anything in record time and leaves a sparkling clean path in its wake. My sink, which is normally stained and requires bleach to get it really clean, is blindingly white right now. My counters are emanating a tiny angels’ chorus (“Booowaaaahhhhhhhhh”). My cabinets are gunk-free and the stove is a beacon of spotless perfection.
It took me, like, five minutes, too.
This is really one of those things you just have to try for yourself because I can’t adequately explain why it works so much better than a regular sponge. All you use is water, there’s no need for blasting everything with 409.
The package contains warnings not to use the Eraser on polished/glossy surfaces, so it must somehow provide a powerful scrubbing function even though it doesn’t feel rough. For heavy cleaning, I think you’d use up one Eraser, it gets squishy and gross after a while. But seriously, so worth buying. I’m going to get a caseload of these things.
Bottom line: if you ever need to clean anything ever, you need this freaky product. I never thought I’d be so frothy-mouthed about a flipping SPONGE, but it really is the best cleaning-related item I think I’ve ever seen.
Update: several people have sent me this link, which alleges the Eraser caused chemical burns on her child. Probably best to keep these out of reach from kids along with other cleaning products.
Link: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on Drugstore.com
Ballpark price: $7.99 for 8
Posted: October 25th, 2006 under House & home, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 39
Comments
Comment from amy
Time: October 25, 2006, 9:58 pm
Dude. I have to agree with you on the awesomeness of the magic eraser. The outside of our refrigerator has never been so clean. And our dishwasher is actually clean, too.
Comment from nancy
Time: October 25, 2006, 10:06 pm
for future reference this is also great for removing crayon marks from table tops. Just wipes right off with water no real scrubbing. I would be careful with walls though because it is so sneakily abrasive it can take of layers of paint without much effort.
Comment from vedjen
Time: October 25, 2006, 11:05 pm
It does absolutely amazing things to faucets too - just wipe with dry cloth. On the handful of days throughout the year I actually, um, clean I swear by these things.
Comment from Lulu
Time: October 25, 2006, 11:55 pm
I LOVE THE MAGIC ERASER. If it wasn’t potentially toxic, I would lick it every morning and every night.
I use it on my walls for those little black marks that show up when something rubs against, but like the other commenter said, do be careful. A little swipe is all it takes. A very little swipe because the eraser, it is fierce.
Comment from robin
Time: October 26, 2006, 4:34 am
OMG! These are awesome. Little sponges of wonder. A must have for people with wee ones.
Comment from Melissa
Time: October 26, 2006, 6:11 am
Hell yeah, Magic Eraser rules. I accidently scraped my car along a red fence; Magic Eraser and a little WD-40 took the red streaks right off and now I won’t get charged anything when my lease is up. Yay!
Comment from Krissy
Time: October 26, 2006, 7:28 am
You should see what it does do soap scum. It takes 5 seconds to clean the shower now!
Comment from April
Time: October 26, 2006, 8:04 am
My fiance interned at Procter&Gamble and claims one of his buddies invented this thing. According to him, it’s this rando special kind of super-high-tech polymer and that’s what makes it special.
Comment from Heather
Time: October 26, 2006, 9:02 am
The best thing about it is how it cleans your computer monitor or anything else that has that really fine bumpy texture. Seriously amazing. And while plugging the Mr. Clean stuff. Broke down and bought the pad on a stick cleaning thing. My life will never be the same. It works like a charm and cleaning the sides of the bathtub and the walls now a snap.
Comment from Audrey
Time: October 26, 2006, 9:26 am
Ditto on the awesomeness of this product. It is magic indeed. The window on our kitchen door has a miniblind. There were black lines around the frame from where the blinds had been bumping against the door forever. NOTHING would remove them. Except the eraser of magic. That was the only time I actually had to apply much pressure on the eraser to get it to work. Everything else I have used it on cleans up in a snap without much effort. Also, because it seems to be a physical rather than chemical process, I think it’s safer, less fumey, etc., for my little ones.
Comment from Diane
Time: October 26, 2006, 9:27 am
In 100% agreement with you on this magic product. I no longer have to scrub anything.
Comment from MRW
Time: October 26, 2006, 9:34 am
So, I love to hear about new cleaning stuff because, evidently I have a 50s housewife inside my 2000s working mom body, but my question is: do you rinse it off after cleaning stuff with it? How does it stay clean? I know I’m revealing my chemical idiocy / germaphobia issues, but, for example, with a regular sponge I stick it in the microwave for a minute or two every few days to make sure it stays clean after wiping stuff off. Is it that the magic eraser has something inside it? OK, I’ve exceeded the scope of your rec, off to internet to own damned research now because this product sounds awesome…
Comment from Zoot
Time: October 26, 2006, 11:36 am
I actually bought the Target Generic ones once (they were out of the name brand, so I thought I’d try) and they are pretty good. Maybe not JUST as good - but pretty damn close. I really don’t know if I’d be able to tell the difference in a blind test…
Nothing at all cleans my floors (ugly-ass linoleaum) as well.
Comment from AmyD
Time: October 26, 2006, 12:01 pm
I’ve been heard more than once saying, “Mr. Clean is my hero, and I would have his babies…” because of this product. Me, the one who hates to clean, saying this about a product that requires I begin cleaning in order to actually be using said product? Yup.
Buy it, people. Especially if you want to hear that angels’ chorus Sundry was talking about (Oh how I love that sound…).
Comment from Ashley B
Time: October 26, 2006, 12:11 pm
Oh yea! The Magic Eraser RAWKS! Love it! You know what else is awesome? While we’re on the product bandwagon, that plastic booster stuff. It gets almost anything out of plastic containers and works really well on tennis shoes. I always squirt some into the washing machine when I wash a load of tennis shoes, well not a load but a few pairs.
Comment from Pickles & Dimes
Time: October 26, 2006, 12:51 pm
I am already a freak because I like to clean, but when I first heard of the Magic Eraser I was like, “YESSSS.” I act like Gollum whenever my fiancé wants to use it: “My preshhhhhhushhhh.”
To make mine last longer, I cut them in half, since I really only use a little part of it at a time anyway.
I second the commenter who said to be careful when using it on painted walls. Certain paints/paint colors lighten up after using it. Test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Comment from MEP
Time: October 26, 2006, 1:37 pm
I too know the love of the Magic Eraser. It’s great on stainless steel sinks and appliances and smooth countertops. I have removed wine stains and lots of ink from my white counters with minimal scrubbing and no stinky chemical cleaners.
The only thing is, every time I use it, it jacks up my fingers. The skin on the fingers touching the thing literally peel. But I’ll never trade it!
Comment from jonniker
Time: October 26, 2006, 1:50 pm
Oh yes. Cleaned up my nephews’ grubby little handprints all over the walls after they visited. I felt like I was in a commercial myself, all merrily wiping away handprints and whatnot.
Comment from Alley
Time: October 26, 2006, 3:54 pm
Oh God, yes. I have been worshipping this product for about two years now. When we moved into this house, the shower (which is supposed to be white) was ORANGE (when I found a bottle of bleach under the the sink, I laughed because I’m convinced the previous owner was actually unaware that people CLEAN THEIR HOMES). Anyway, after cleaning it with a zillion products, a zillion times, there were still marks on the bottom that I assumed were permanent stains. Not so! Mr. Clean came to the rescue. Now I use the Target brand ones cause they work the same and I’m a tightwad. Seriously, these and that Reynolds Release foil are my most favoritest products EVER.
Comment from Jamie :)
Time: October 26, 2006, 6:26 pm
I definitely *JUST* used the Mr. Clean Eraser LAST NIGHT on my disgustingly gross bathtub, which is now sparkling clean and brand new looking! Yay!
Comment from Leslie
Time: October 26, 2006, 9:25 pm
It sounds like the perfect complement to my beloved Tide to Go pen, which I once used to get Sharpie out of silk.
Comment from Melissa
Time: October 27, 2006, 5:36 am
I love it too! Seriously, works like magic.
Comment from paige
Time: October 27, 2006, 5:47 am
Holy crap, with each comment I read, my eyes just got bigger and bigger with awe and disbelief! I must get myself one of these magical erasers!!
Comment from Linda
Time: October 27, 2006, 3:49 pm
Comment from K
Time: October 27, 2006, 4:40 pm
Totally thumbs-upping the magical block of mysterious wonder. Love that thing. I heard it was good to get the white rubber sole parts of sneakers clean, so I tried it, and was so impressed I thought I’d buff the toes of my scratched, leather, Birkenstock clogs. Bad idea! Now they have matte-finish, scratched-up toes. I still completely love Mr. Clean, but don’t be a dumbass and use it on leather clogs like I did. 
Comment from samantha Jo Campen
Time: October 27, 2006, 8:22 pm
I work at an apartment complex and tell anyone I can to use this on the walls before they move out to save them the security deposit. People have been so greatful that I saved them a crap-ton of money they bring me bottles of wine and cookies! If you have a flat finish wall color this is amazing. Gets those nasty scuff marks off the walls from when you kick your shoes off (or flail about in the middle of the night and get marks on the walls. . .or something similar to that, of course).
I got a free one in the mail when they were promoting them and the super-duper one has a blue rubber side to wipe the wall off when you’re done. So I splurge and get that kind because really, Mr. Clean knows what a woman wants.
Comment from Amanda
Time: October 28, 2006, 6:31 am
I couldn’t agree more! I offered to clean my boss’ house (Huge two story 6 bedroom farmhouse) for a little cash. Turns out the house was a mess. I was about to cry when I looked at how bad the kitchen was until my eyes saw the magic eraser pack-unopened-under his sink. I saw them on television but never had used one. So I tried it. And then I proceeded to use both that came in the pack until they were little nubs of eraser crud. They are surely descendants of Heavens bounty.
But just like you, I wonder…how the hell does it work? It just feels like foam.
Ah, who cares. This product would probably saved June Cleaver enough time to go out and buy some more reasonable clothes!
Comment from Melis
Time: October 31, 2006, 1:05 pm
I love love love these things too! Sadly, because the linoleum in our crap apartment kitchen is cream colored and the spot below the highchair is the highest traffic spot in the place, we’ve used it to the point of taking the finish off the floor-the only thing that will get it clean is the MR CLEAN ERASER! Bleach can’t even get clean what the truly magic eraser can get clean. I need to call Proctor and Gamble and see how close they are to making mop heads from this stuff because seriously? My kitchen floor suffers!
Comment from Emily
Time: October 31, 2006, 8:47 pm
Also - for ibook’s or other apple products, I use it where my daily dirty hands tend to gross up the pretty white space. Works like a charm and doesn’t harm the computer.
Comment from justmouse
Time: October 31, 2006, 8:58 pm
i agree that they kick the snot out of dirt. We used a buttload of them to clean my friend’s apartment after she moved (2 hyperactive preschoolers with crayons anyone?). worked wonderfully. the only negative i can think of is that the texture of them made my hands feel….icky. it’s like they sort of disintigrate the more you use them, and they leave…particles…or something on your hands. felt gross. but clean.
Comment from Kelsey
Time: November 1, 2006, 2:33 pm
I also am in love with this product. I know half the known world has fancy marble and granite countertops, but I will caution, if you have cheapo laminate coutnertops like mine, this is not a good place for the magic eraser. Before we moved I used it to clean up some red koolaid my husband dripped on the light gray counter. . . The koolaid was gone, but so was part of the coutner finish. It didn’t bother me too much because you didn’t notice unless you were looking at it from kind of an angle. The part where it says “test on an inconspicuous area first”? That’s a good idea!
Comment from Leah
Time: November 2, 2006, 2:29 pm
Comment from christen
Time: November 4, 2006, 3:44 pm
One note about the Magic Eraser that is NOT so good–it takes paint off the walls. Not like, down to the drywall or anything, but we had some nasty footprints on the wall (don’t ask) and so I tried to scrub the dirt off–either our apartment walls were grossly dirty, but it rubbed the paint off, I guess, at least part of it, so we had some white spots in the middle of our apartment-beige walls.
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Time: November 5, 2006, 10:39 pm
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Comment from Chama
Time: November 27, 2006, 3:12 pm
This is gonna sound weird, but I actually use these to clean my Asian Ball-Jointed Dolls… and they’re amazing! It even took off the horrible charcoal stains off my doll’s legs (That’s what I get for not washing my hands before picking him up).
But don’t make my mistake and try to use it dry :[
There was a tiny mark I just wanted to remove really fast, and I ended up removing lots of other tiny marks, and before I knew it I was inhaling a cloud of magic eraser particles and coughing for the next 20 minutes. DX *slaps forehead*
Comment from allie
Time: February 18, 2007, 4:50 pm
umm k mr. clean magic eraser works good but icant seem to find anywhere the ingedients or where and how and when it was made!
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Comment from tiffany
Time: August 2, 2007, 7:48 pm
I agree with everyone….this is a GREAT product….I swear I could do info-mercials for these things. I mostly use them to get crayon and pen marks off the wall….my 4 years old is an artist (lol)….however like most of you guys have already read, you definately have to be careful…it does remove paint if you do it too many times…which sucks….maybe the makers can work on that.
Comment from tiffany
Time: August 2, 2007, 7:51 pm
Oh by the way…they do work great in showers…they remove the soap scum and all that yucky stuff like you wouldnt believe!!!
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