Melamine Sponge: While not exactly a “magic eraser recipe,” you can purchase plain melamine sponges, which are essentially the same material as magic erasers but without the added chemicals. These are more eco-friendly than branded magic erasers and can be used in the same way.
plain white toothpaste. Paste kind, not gel. It's a gentle abrasive and good in a pinch for things like walls when you don't want a harsher abrasive taking off paint and are out of erasers etc.
What Magic Eraser Is Made of. Magic Eraser's pad itself is made of melamine polymer, about which safety info is lacking, but which doesn't appear to be toxic.
I heard through the grapevine (AKA Reddit) that you can order a ton of melamine foam, which is exactly what Magic Erasers are, for less money, more sponges, and the same effect — so, I bought both kinds because I love a competition.
Don't use them on wood furniture or paneling.
The abrasive nature of the melamine in these erasers can strip away the finish on wood surfaces. This means you shouldn't use them on wood furniture or wood paneling. Also, be sure to spot-test before using them on wooden cabinets.
When the main ingredient in Magic Erasers, melamine foam, is mixed with water, it becomes a highly abrasive material like sandpaper. Using melamine sponge and Magic Erasers on your teeth is a direct route to enamel decay. Once tooth enamel is destroyed, it can't be brought back!
The manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, lists ingredients for the magic eraser which include: “Formaldehyde-melamine-sodium Bisulfite Copolymer." That is rated only as a “slight” health risk. It's pretty much only dangerous if “a large amount is swallowed” or it gets in your eyes.
It also contains tiny plastic particles—microplastics—that end up in the water supply, soil, and food chain as the sponges disintegrate…with unhealthy results.
Magic Eraser is made of superfine foam which is abrasive and can result in rashes or burns, even with gentle rubbing. Because of this, the Magic Eraser should never be used on a child or adult's skin.
The truth is, Magic Erasers are just tiny rectangular pieces of melamine foam with a cleaning agent inside.
Magic Erasers are safe to use, though cleaning experts recommend a few precautions for the best tidying experience possible. While advertisements show these sponges used with bare hands, wearing a pair of cleaning gloves can keep the sandpaper-like grit from irritating your hands.
According to www.sinoyqx.com and Wikipedia, melamine foam (and by extension, Magic Erasers) are simply a foam-like material made of a formaldehyde–melamine–sodium bisulfite copolymer.
NATURAL ERASERS, RUBBER
It's a soft, natural eraser made from natural rubber and erases color or graphite pencils.
Erasers can be made of various materials, depending on the intended use. The most common types are rubber, vinyl, and plastic. Natural rubber, derived from the rubber tree, was originally the primary material, but nowadays, you can also find erasers made of synthetic materials for finer and cleaner erasing.
The secret behind these types of erasers is a material commonly called melamine foam. With just a little water, melamine foam can dig in and destroy stains that other products can't touch.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in this product, is a Group 9 herbicide based on the mode of action classification system of the Weed Science Society of America.
No wand-waving here: The “magic” of the eraser is simply melamine, a nitrogen-rich organic base that, in its solid state, is a powerful-yet-delicate abrasive. Melamine is a widespread chemical compound used in everything from dry erase boards to sound insulation on bullet trains to your grandparents' Formica table.
The drier, the more abrasive it is. Wear rubber gloves when working with the Magic Eraser! (Unless you want that deep mechanical peeling effect on your hands). Test it in an inconspicuous place first.
Drop a Magic Eraser corner straight into the toilet bowl. Before washing the toilet ring, let the Magic Eraser soak in the water for a few minutes. Once the stain is gone, swirl the Magic Eraser around the toilet bowl. To have the cleaning residue washed away, flush the toilet.
For stubborn stains, you can use a magic eraser sponge, these are safe to use and will not damage the surface of your tub.