What it is
Let's figure out what kind of miracle sponge it is, which washes without detergent. What is it made of? Plus, we will find out the opinion of expert doctors about the safety of this product.
Outwardly, it looks like an ordinary white sponge. Pleasant to the touch, soft, light.
Made from melamine synthetic material. It is used in the production of plastics. Foamed melamine is saturated with air bubbles, acquires a mesh structure and abrasive properties.
Products do not have any chemical impregnation. What is their secret, due to what they work? Due to the abrasive properties of soft action: dirt is mechanically erased. The fibers of a damp sponge capture dirt particles and clean the surface.
Can detergents be used with the product? Yes, but why? After all, the advantage is that household chemicals are not needed. However, a melamine sponge rubs off like an eraser.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the melamine sponge whether it is poisonous or not. The product is made of quality material, harmless. Analogues from cheap Chinese materials can be toxic and cause severe allergies.Poor quality products can leave scratches and damage things.
Non-certified products may not smell bad, but they may release harmful formaldehyde during storage and handling. Especially in contact with detergents and hot water.
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 insulating material. As a cleaning agent, it began to be used later, when its abrasive properties were discovered.
The chemical composition of the product consists of foamed melamine.
By structure, these are colorless crystals obtained as a result of resin foaming. The substance looks like a porous mesh, similar to foam with open sharp cells and villi at the edges. The action is similar to sandpaper. Its uneven surface perfectly collects dirt from surfaces.
By structure, these are colorless crystals obtained as a result of resin foaming.
Using a melamine sponge in everyday life
Starting to read reviews about this cleaning device, you understand that people are divided into two camps. These are those who consider them an excellent alternative to a washcloth with chemistry and those who talk about the harmfulness of the invention.
The first category suggests that housewives around the world will be able to use many times less chemicals when cleaning their homes, which in the long run means cleansing our planet of harmful substances, normalizing the environment and avoiding a garbage apocalypse. After all, such a washcloth "works" without the use of detergents.
Among the arguments of the second group is that facts of melamine poisoning were recorded in China when, through negligence, he came into contact with children's food. The fact really was, but. Regardless of the completely chemical origin of the material, the risks of such an accident are small.
Working principle of melamine sponge
Due to its unusual structure and properties that differ from other sponges, this melamine washcloth not only absorbs and washes away dirt, but also has pronounced abrasive characteristics. Such a sponge first soaks dirt and stains, then carefully scrapes them off without damaging the surface (furniture, floor, tiles, etc.), and then absorbs the removed liquid.Thanks to this technology for removing stains, the melamine sponge does not leave streaks, and also effectively cleans even persistent, old stains, additionally without using household chemicals.
Features that make sponges stand out from the rest
Melamine has the following features:
- It is convenient to process vertical and horizontal surfaces;
- Saves money on the purchase of expensive, environmentally friendly chemicals;
- Environmentally friendly for people and animals;
- Universal sponge suitable for all types of surfaces.
That's why so many housewives give up a bunch of old chemistry in favor of a new invention. The phasing out of chemicals brings even more benefits to consumers.
Scope of use
The sponge has excellent cleaning properties of all kinds of surfaces, removing dirt of a diverse nature. It will successfully cope with old dirt, ink, marker marks, rust, limescale and many other stains.It can be used on glass, wood or mirror surfaces, rubber products, ceramic and metal sanitary ware, household appliances or furniture. A melamine sponge can be used to clean plastic items: keyboards, office equipment or plastic panels. It is successfully used for cleaning shoes and accessories, bags, purses or gloves.
Users of the melamine sponge in the reviews talk about a wide range of its applications, both in the household and for cleaning the body and interior of the car, as well as for use in public places, heavy pollution, for quick and effective cleaning. The sponge perfectly copes with dirt on leatherette and leather coatings, wallpaper or upholstered furniture. It does not violate the integrity of these materials, effectively cleaning them.
So that the melamine sponge does not harm a surface that is too soft or glossy, you need to start cleaning from a small area and, having received a positive result, continue to work on a large area. On lacquered and painted surfaces, use the washcloth with care so as not to damage the glossy finish.
How to use
Before purchasing, it is better to figure out how to use a melamine sponge so that later there are no difficulties. Usage features:
- Moisten with water before first use.
- You can not wring it out and twist it hard, light pressure with your fingers is enough. Otherwise, it will deform.
- For small areas - small washcloths. They cut great.
- The corner of the eraser is well washed hard-to-reach areas.
- The special composition gradually crumbles, therefore, after several uses, the washcloth will begin to become thinner.This is normal, a gradual decrease signals the need for replacement.
- Care is needed - after work, the washcloth should be washed and stored away from heat sources and UV rays.
Instructions for use: 5 rules
The use of sponges does not require special knowledge, but there are some recommendations that will help extend the life and make cleaning more efficient. Step-by-step instructions for using a melamine sponge include five rules.
- Don't use all at once. If the sponge is large in size, and you need to remove a small area of contamination, cut off the necessary piece with a knife or scissors that are not used for cooking.
- Don't twist. Saturate the material with water and gently remove excess liquid by squeezing between your palms. In no case should you squeeze the sponge with the usual twisting method, as it may break due to a violation of the pore structure.
- Treat the surface with a corner. How to use a melamine sponge correctly? Try to wipe the contaminated area not with the general surface of the sponge, but with one of its corners - this way you will extend the service life. Foamed melamine, absorbing dirt, changes its structure and becomes more brittle. The dirtier the treated surface, the sooner the sponge wears out and loses its cleaning properties. When treating a spot with a corner, the material will be erased gradually, and mechanical friction with the entire surface will cause it to quickly crumble.
- Remove any remaining melamine from the surface. At the end of cleaning, wipe the surface to be treated with a damp and then dry cloth to completely remove melamine particles.
- Rinse after use.Caring for a melamine sponge is simple: after finishing work, rinse it under running water and let the remaining moisture drain.
Do not apply cleaning or washing substances to the sponge - it is able to cope with various types of pollution on its own. In addition, melanin and chemicals, especially if chlorine is included, can cause dangerous toxic reactions.
What can be cleaned
The main advantage and the main reason why you should replace a regular sponge with a melamine one is its versatility and high functionality. The cleaning item will quickly and effectively remove dirt from almost any surface. In the bathroom and in the kitchen, it is permissible to use a sponge on tiles to remove soap and limescale. It can also clean furniture, faucets, visible plumbing, tile joints and grout. In living rooms, the eraser is suitable for cleaning wallpaper and painted walls. The device perfectly copes with both fresh and obsolete pollution.
IMPORTANT. A product made of melamine can even remove marks from pens and felt-tip pens.
That is why the sponge is simply indispensable in homes where there are small children, since it is much easier to remove traces of their creativity than to regularly make repairs. Also in rooms, a melamine washcloth can be used to clean door and window frames, slopes and glass. With its help, traces of shoes on linoleum and laminate are very easy to remove.
REFERENCE. It is permissible to clean cloth and leather shoes with a sponge.
Is it possible to wash dishes with a melamine sponge
Multitasking a product does not mean that it can be used everywhere. There is controversy about the use of the dishwashing product. As arguments "against" it can be noted that:
- melamine has a chemical origin. There are proven cases of melamine poisoning.However, the victims ate foods with a high content of this substance;
- when used, the sponge disintegrates. When particles enter the human body, the substance accumulates in the kidneys and causes urolithiasis.
There are a huge number of safe dishwashing detergents, so there is no urgent need to use melamine sponges for these purposes. An exception can only be cleaning the outer surfaces of pots and pans from soot and soot.
Attention! Apply the product even on the outside of the dishes that are used for cooking, should be used with caution, then wash the dishes with the usual means and rinse thoroughly.
Do's and Don'ts for Melamine Eraser
It is not enough to understand the essence of the correct use of a sponge; one should also study those provisions in which it is a question of what cannot be done with the product. The main concern when working with melamine is that it is still poisonous.
IMPORTANT. When ingested, this polymer is deposited in the kidneys, provoking the development of urolithiasis.
Do not use the entire canvas, do not apply force when squeezing liquid out of it. In no case do not create a tandem with household chemicals, which include chlorine, as a dangerous reaction can occur.
The main question that worries modern housewives is: how justified is the use of a melamine sponge? But if you look at it with an open mind, it becomes clear that most of the household chemicals that people use on a daily basis also contain chemical compounds, often even more poisonous. But no one dares to abandon them and completely switch to water and soap. It would be much wiser to learn the rules for the safe use of a sponge and strictly follow them.
Rules:
- Be sure to use gloves.
- Refusal to wash surfaces that usually come into contact with food.
- Keep the magic eraser out of the reach of children and pets.
- Refusal to use as a detergent for eggs, fruits and vegetables.
- Thorough cleaning of hands after working with a sponge.
Melamine sponge: reviews, effectiveness
According to numerous reviews, melamine sponges are already actively adjacent to ordinary rags and compete with them. When using them, it is important to remember that:
- melamine is moistened only with slightly warm or even cold water. In no case should you use hot, from which its properties will deteriorate;
- if you strongly rub glass or a varnished surface with such a sponge, it can be damaged, therefore, in such cases, care should be taken;
- there is no need to combine additional chemicals with melamine. Contaminants are washed away without them. Products containing chlorine lead to unpleasant reactions, so their joint use is prohibited;
- for washing dishes, it is better to leave ordinary sponges and detergents.
On the Web, most of the reviews about sponges are positive.Women write that this tool eliminates many contaminants that were previously difficult to wipe off and required the use of a wide range of cleaning products.
Madly like to clean the faucets in the bathroom, it's a fairy tale. Washed off with a bang without any effort. Any plumbing cleans perfectly. Now I definitely keep it in reserve. Not a daily assistant, but sometimes just a lifesaver! Definitely recommend!
Some users, on the contrary, are not satisfied with the quality of the sponges. So, he notes that they are washed out very quickly, do not cope with strong pollution, and also cannot be used for dishes. Many housewives are worried about the safety of the product. On this subject, he is of the opinion that:
If melamine particles enter the body, there can be serious health problems. But not because of toxicity. Melamine particles can settle in the kidneys and provoke the development of urolithiasis (and this can only be treated surgically).
Interestingly, men also know what a melamine sponge is. With its help, it turns out that cleaning a machine is easy and pleasant, and not only.says that it was with these sponges that he washed the old kitchen set and linoleum, as well as white leather sneakers.
In general, melamine sponges can be used quite widely. If stains and dirt can not cope with the means known to you, try this new option, following the rules of use.
Harm to health
Doctors around the world are sounding the alarm to ban the production of melamine tableware. This material consists of toxic components that adversely affect human health.With the constant use of melamine tableware, the amount of released substances increases and reaches a dangerous value.
Not only melamine is dangerous for human health. Damage to the body is caused by dyes that are added to it. They emit such heavy metals as lead, manganese, cadmium. The tests carried out showed that mutations and oncological diseases were detected in animals that ate from melamine dishes.
Many people refute these results, proving the safety of melamine tableware, because formaldehyde resins are deep inside. But when filling a plate or other container, harmful substances begin to be released from this type of plastic, which immediately fall on food. And when using dishes for hot dishes, the effect increases significantly. Moreover, if the surface is damaged with a knife or fork, the dishes become even more dangerous.
Formaldehydes, which are contained in melamine dishes, act gradually. They are a dangerous allergen that provokes the development of eczema, disorders of the respiratory system. Also, these substances disrupt the activity of the liver, stomach, kidneys, spleen, worsen the processes of hematopoiesis. Accumulation of toxic melamine products can be a factor in fetal mutation in women of childbearing age.
Truth or myth
Some housewives are convinced that melamine is very toxic. Is it true? According to experts, washcloths are completely safe for the skin, since they do not cause an allergic reaction. An accidental hit cannot harm a person.Another thing is when melanin particles systematically enter the body. That is why they are not recommended for daily dishwashing. Settling in the kidneys, melamine causes disease.
Avoid contact of sponges with food.
Features of care
Melamine items do not require special care. The main thing is to always keep them clean.
Melamine coated furniture should be treated with sprays or liquids other than those containing abrasive particles. If such products are not at hand, you can wipe the surface first with a damp cloth, and then with a dry one.
It is important to protect the surface of melamine products from sharp objects. Although the melamine coating is particularly hard, strong impacts with metal objects can damage it.
Owners of melamine tableware should always monitor its condition. If small cracks or minor scratches appear, the item must be replaced with a new one. Violation of the integrity of the coating contributes to the release of hazardous substances into food.
Recommendations
In the instructions for using the sponge you will find a number of recommendations:
- Do not use melamine on a hot surface. When heated, it becomes more toxic.
- The washcloth gently cleans objects, but some surfaces can be damaged. Therefore, test its effect on a small area.
- Moistened melamine works more delicately.
- For washing cutlery, a sponge is used in rare cases, if other means have not helped.
- Melamine can be wetted in cool but not hot water.
- Keep sponges away from children.
- Always use gloves when working with melamine.
Restrictions
Melamine sponge companies warn against using them for:
- washing the internal surfaces of dishes;
- cleaning pots and pans;
- washing vegetables and fruits.
It is advised to lower the object in warm water, but not hot.Under the action of high temperatures, toxins are released from the chemical. After using the product, pieces of it may remain on the surfaces, so be sure to remove the remnants of melamine with clean water.
Can you wash your hands
It is not necessary to wash dirt from hands with a sponge. Yes, it will degrease the skin, but in allergy sufferers it can cause irritation, itching, and a rash. For housewives who have an expensive and beautiful manicure, the melamine compound will dull and the nail polish will be erased. From the hands, particles of the chemical can get inside, causing the development of urolithiasis, the growth of cancer cells.
Application errors
A common mistake when applying melamine is to work with bare hands. It is advisable to clean with household gloves.
Housewives sometimes use plastic sponges to clean surfaces that come into contact with food: inside pots, pans, kitchen appliances, etc. Melamine particles can be harmful to health if they enter the body. In this case, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Or you just need to clean the outside.
Sometimes children or pets can touch the sponge and taste it. Therefore, they can harm their own health. To avoid this, they must be stored in a hard-to-reach place.
Eggs should not be washed with a melamine sponge and raw fruits and vegetables should not be eaten. Plastic particles from food will get inside the body.
Important: a serious mistake is the use of a melamine sponge on lacquered surfaces coated with Teflon and acrylic glass. Abrasive material can leave scratches, streaks and streaks.
Life time
Depending on how you use the melamine sponge, its service life depends.You can cut the product into several parts for easy cleaning. Indeed, during the application, the hostess rubs the pollution only with the corner of the eraser. As soon as the melamine begins to crumble, the item is thrown away, recycled.
In order for the product to last longer, after each cleaning it is washed, and excess moisture is squeezed out.
Melamine sponge for car
This invention is also suitable for motorists. During operation, stains of oil, fuel and rust appear, which the magic eraser can easily cope 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 the machine body on their own.
This invention is also suitable for motorists.
use for car
The white melamine sponge quickly captivated machine enthusiasts with its versatility and ease of use. Those who were lucky enough to use it for their car. They are extremely satisfied and claim that this is one of the best inventions.
Suitable for:
- Removal of stains of oil, gasoline, dirt.
- Rubbing panels and glass inside the car.
- Laundering exterior mirrors.
- Treatment of leather and fabric seats, removal of obsolete stains.
- Washing the entire machine outside.
With a few sponges in your arsenal, you can completely wash the car, from the steering wheel to the tires. It is practical, convenient, fast, does not require much effort from the motorist. Some owners even say that with the help of such a washcloth they polished small body parts on their own. After this treatment, the machine shone even more and looked like new.
