10 things you should never clean with a magic eraser

Many people can’t rave enough over the Magic Eraser. This cleaning tool makes cleaning quick and simple and overall, makes cleaning up spills less of a hassle. But not everything will be sparkling after using a Magic Eraser. In fact, there are a handful of surfaces that can actually become damaged when cleaning with a magic eraser.

Magic Erasers are abrasive, so avoid using them on delicate benchtops such as marble and granite. Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the benchtop appear dull. Make sure you aren’t cleaning your benchtops with vinegar either.

Magic Erasers may feel like a soft sponge, but using one on your nonstick pots and pans can cause scratches to their surface. When nonstick pans become scratched, some of that coating can get into your food.

If you scrub your stainless steel too hard with a Magic Eraser, you can actually make it look duller. If your stainless steel appliances have scratches, try sanding them out instead.

While Magic Erasers can come in handy for removing dirt and grime from your car’s cupholders and dashboard, don’t use them to polish the outside of your car. The eraser’s abrasiveness can do damage to your car’s paint.

Discover the 15 cleaning secrets only car detailers know. 

While Magic Erasers can be used to get crayon marks off a painted wall, don’t use them to clean wood panelling or other finished wood surfaces. The abrasiveness can strip away the finish.

Make sure you avoid these dumb cleaning habits. 

Be careful when using Magic Erasers on painted surfaces with glossy finishes. The abrasive eraser can damage the finish and make it look dull and uneven.

If you have any valuable collectibles, such as toys and hand-me-down jewellery, think twice before using a Magic Eraser to clean up old dirt and grime. Your collectibles aren’t worth the risk of doing more damage than good.

Discover which items you should be cleaning with a toothbrush. 

The internet is full of Magic Eraser fails from users. One of those fails includes dropping the eraser in the toilet bowl to clean it. Since the eraser’s magic comes from its tiny microfibres which lift stains away, this tactic is useless – you do still have to scrub!

Now find out which things you should never flush down the toilet.

No matter how tempting it may be to use a Magic Eraser to clean ground-in dirt from your child’s fingers, never use it on bare skin. The eraser’s abrasiveness can damage skin and cause irritation. Learn if it’s better to be using antibacterial soap or regular soap.