Can I use a melamine sponge
More recently, a new product has been added to the arsenal of housewives - a melamine sponge. Opinions about usefulness ranged from overtly enthusiastic to extremely negative. What is this - a vainly advertised product or a really practical thing?
What a melamine sponge
Externally, melamine sponges are no different from foam sponges for washing dishes or cleaning. A white or gray rectangle with a dense, odorless porous structure. To the touch, the material is denser than foam rubber; when moistened, it foams on its own.
Artificial melamine. In terms of composition, it is a melamine-formaldehyde resin. The polymer is obtained by melting cyanuric chloride with ammonia at a temperature of 100 degrees. Thus, with the help of modern technologies, an effective product is produced for cleaning surfaces of different structures.
The harm and benefits of a melamine sponge
The debate about the appropriateness of use continues, despite the fact that the product has received widespread use. As arguments, opponents recall the chemical origin of the product. Examples of melamine poisoning in China due to the ingestion of the substance into food and infant formula are given.
Proponents believe that the low incidence rate compared to the widespread use is indicative of the relative safety of the product.
Where is the truth? Modern research proves the safety of melamine sponges when used correctly. Operation is carried out with proper precautions.
The advantages of the product in comparison with other cleaning products are as follows:
- Unlike aggressive gels, cleaning sprays are non-toxic. In contact with mucous membranes, irritation does not occur;
- The product is hypoallergenic, can be used by asthmatics and allergy sufferers, does not cause skin irritation;
- To achieve the result, no additional detergents are needed, many operations can be done with the help of a miracle eraser.
However, you can harm your health if you neglect the safety rules. Although melamine does not penetrate into the tissues of the human body and is excreted through the kidneys, its particles can be deposited in the form of stones and cause disease.
Recent experiments have shown that melamine poisoning is possible if an amount of a substance is ingested into the body, comparable to the lethal dose of table salt for humans.It is clear that it is unrealistic to accidentally consume such a quantity of the product.
What qualities distinguish the product from an extensive arsenal of detergents and cleaning agents:
- versatility - the functions of the device are almost limitless;
- convenience - works great on vertical surfaces, where it is inconvenient to use liquid preparations;
- economy - the price of the product is low, especially when compared with the cost of cleaning products that they replace;
- environmental friendliness - the product is much safer than many household chemicals.
Reviews of doctors and ordinary people
Customer reviews about the dangers and benefits of melamine sponge are quite controversial. Doctors speak positively about the product.
Veronica: ≪ I use a white sponge for cleaning, I like the result. I've heard opinions about toxicity, but my knowledge of chemistry and medicine tells the opposite. Household chemicals that I have used before are much more toxic and harmful≫.
Housewives generally appreciate the product:
Alina: ≪ I received a parcel with melamine erasers. I have been looking for such a remedy for a long time. Easily washed off limescale in the bathroom, greasy stains in the kitchen. The husband is also happy, his favorite sneakers, which he was going to throw away, shine white again.
Negative reviews are more often associated with improper use of the product:
Olga: ≪ I bought a washcloth after listening to rave reviews from my friends. I didn't like it at all. It crumbles in hands, it is not realistic to squeeze out. I blew several pieces onto the tiles in the kitchen, with chemistry it would have come out faster≫.
How to use and what wipes
Instructions for use
The rules for using a melamine eraser are different from those of regular foam sponges. Among the features of the application, the following are distinguished:
- For use as a cleaning agent, the product is only slightly moistened with water.
- To avoid deformation, do not twist or squeeze hard, crumple the eraser. It is only slightly squeezed between the palms. If you squeeze it out like a regular washcloth, the porous structure is disturbed and there will be no benefit from such a washcloth.
- If the cleaning area is small, it will be more pragmatic to cut a small piece from the whole sponge.
- It is more convenient to wash off the dirt with a corner of the eraser: this way it wears out less, but removes dirt more effectively.
- Due to its special structure, in the process of work, the sponge is erased like an eraser. In this case, its particles can remain on the treated surface. Remove the remnants with a damp cloth, after which the surface is wiped dry.
- After use, the sponge is washed with water and dried.
Video: Melamine sponge. What is it and how does it work?
Important! The product is used with caution on smooth surfaces: glass, mirrors. Abrasive edges can cause scratches.
Application area
Advertising claims that all contamination can be easily eliminated with a melamine sponge. What can this product clean? Experienced housewives say that the field of application of the product is really extensive.
In residential premises it is used for cleaning:
- bathroom - removes rust and limescale from taps, pipes, plumbing, cleans tiles and tile joints; used for washing bathtubs, sinks and shower cabins;
- kitchens - cleans all surfaces from grease and soot: furniture, stove, hood, tile; removes carbon deposits from kitchen utensils; destroys soap stains, is used for washing ovens and microwaves;
- living rooms - used to remove stains from felt-tip pens, ink and ballpoint pens from wallpaper and furniture, to clean upholstered furniture from dirt, to wash glass and mirrors without streaks;
- offices - erases footprints from linoleum or laminate; removes stubborn dirt from office furniture and office equipment.
The abrasive properties of sponges are used to wipe stains from leather products: furniture, clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. Especially appreciated is the ability to clean leather surfaces of light shades from dirt. Another area of application is whitening of white shoe soles. The sponge perfectly removes stains of various origins from it, thus extending the life of the shoe.
Note! Do not use melamine sponge with detergents. An unpredictable chemical reaction with the release of hazardous substances is possible.
Can I wash dishes with a melamine sponge?
The multitasking of a product does not mean that it can be used universally. Disputes are ongoing about the use of the dishwashing product. As arguments ≪contrast, it can be noted that:
- melamine is of chemical origin. There are proven cases of melamine poisoning. However, the victims ate foods with a high content of this substance;
- the sponge disintegrates when used. When particles enter the human body, the substance accumulates in the kidneys and becomes the cause of urolithiasis.
There is a huge amount of safe dishwashing detergents, so there is no urgent need to use melamine sponges for these purposes. The only exception may be cleaning the outer surfaces of pots and pans from carbon deposits and soot.
Attention! The product should be used with care even on the outside of the dishes used for cooking, after which wash the dishes using your usual means and rinse thoroughly.
Melamine sponge for auto
This invention is also suitable for motorists. During operation, stains of oil, fuel and rust appear, which the magic eraser can easily deal with. The product will help to effectively clean the interior: clean old dirt from the panels, refresh the seat upholstery. Many motorists use melamine sponges to polish their car bodies on their own.
What is melamine foam
The chemical composition of the product consists of foamed melamine. It was originally used in construction as a heat and sound insulation material. It began to be used as a cleaning agent later, when its abrasive properties were discovered.
In structure, these are colorless crystals obtained by foaming the resin. The substance looks like a porous mesh, similar to foam with open sharp cells and fibers at the edges. The action is similar to sandpaper. Its uneven surface is excellent at picking up dirt from surfaces.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that a melamine sponge is not a universal cleaning agent, each housewife determines how to use it independently. The product is designed for specific purposes, with which it does an excellent job. And the low cost allows you to significantly save on business costs.
