What is it, how to choose and use melamine sponge correctly?

Melamine sponge is an innovative product designed for cleaning.

These products are affordable, effective and easy to use.

The growing popularity of this product and conflicting opinions require clarification on how safe melamine sponges are and how to use them correctly.

What it is?

Melamine sponges that can be found on sale are most often white and come in the form of small, very light weight bars.

The composition of the washcloth itself is mixed, including polypropylene or foam rubber as a base and melamine forming the outer covering. The effectiveness of the device and its cleaning properties depend on the size of the melamine layer.

Expensive versions of melamine sponges may not contain polypropylene and foam rubber at all, but consist entirely of melamine.

They can be used to clean surfaces items made from the following materials:

• ceramics;
• metal;
• textile;
• leather;
• rubber;
• plastic.

Removable stains include:

1. Rusty stains.
2. Lime deposits.
3. Marker or pen marks.
4. Mold.
5. Fat, etc.

The operating principle is based on softening the dirt and gently scraping it off, which is carried out due to the abrasive effect of melamine.During the removal process, no stains, drips or streaks are formed.

What can be washed?

The purpose of melamine sponges is to remove stubborn stains. This property can be used to treat non-residential and residential premises, as it allows you to remove various household contaminants - from lime deposits and traces of rust to children’s drawings on tables and walls with felt-tip pens.

It is convenient to use such washcloths for processing such items:

• the top and sole of shoes, even light ones;
• doors;
• skirting boards;
• wallpaper (washable);
• plumbing;
• floor coverings (flooring without long pile, linoleum, tiles, etc.);
• office equipment;
• car interior (plastic elements, covers, mats);
• upholstered furniture, etc.

Selection rules

Melamine sponges are very widely represented on the domestic product market, which allows you to choose a truly high-quality cleaning tool.

It is recommended to pay attention to the following points:

1. Availability of a certificate. Products of domestic and foreign origin must be certified, which guarantees their safety.
2. Product composition may vary. Those sponges that have a base are more convenient to use for their intended purpose, and they crumble less.
3. Depending on the purpose, it is possible to purchase a larger or smaller sponge. Large ones are suitable for treating large areas - tiles in the bathroom, kitchen floor, etc. Small ones are more convenient for cleaning local dirt, for example, stains on wallpaper or a greasy mark on the table.
4. The device is a universal cleaning product, but you can find a product that is focused on a specific type of dirt.
5. Price. The cost of sponges depends on the pricing policy of the manufacturer and the number of products in the package and size. The cost of one package can range from several tens to several hundred rubles.

If the sponge is large, it can be cut into convenient pieces for use.

Tips for use

The undeniable advantage of melamine sponges is their ease of use. Moreover, the effectiveness of treatment is influenced by a sufficient degree of moisture, and not by the intensity of surface friction.

Procedure:

• moisten the sponge;
• squeeze out excess moisture;
• treat the contaminated area, if it is small, apply the effect conveniently with the corner of a block;
• wipe off melamine residues and dirt with a damp cloth;
• polish the surface with a dry cloth, if necessary;
• After use, the washcloth should be rinsed thoroughly and the water should be allowed to drain.

Overview of the use of melamine sponge - on video:

Prohibitions when cleaning

When choosing melamine for cleaning, Some restrictions must be taken into account:

1. Do not apply detergents to the sponge or the surface requiring treatment.
2. Melamine should not come into contact with chlorine or chlorine-containing products. If the surface has already been treated with them, it must be thoroughly washed off.
3. This product should not be used to wash animals or to clean the body or face.
4. It is not recommended to wash dishes with melamine, especially the inside.An exception is the need to remove carbon deposits from the outside of household items - pots, pans, etc.
5. Melamine should not be allowed to heat up, as this will release harmful substances into the air, and it will become unusable. For this reason, it is not recommended to use it on the surfaces of pans and the stove itself that have not completely cooled after cooking.
6. Melamine sponges should not be used to clean shiny, glossy surfaces, such as car paint.
7. The sponge can only be wrung out, it cannot be twisted.
8. It is not advisable to use melamine for treating Teflon coatings and acrylic surfaces. Also prohibited is untreated wood, which after washing can become “bristle”, which can lead to splinters.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any cleaning product, melamine sponges have advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include the following:

• no need to use detergents;
• high quality surface cleaning;
• Regular water is enough for cleaning;
• cleaning time is reduced;
• good absorption of dirt and water due to high absorption properties;
• universal cleaner;
• careful handling of surfaces;
• simple contact with water is sufficient to form foam;
• economical - a standard-sized sponge is enough to clean a large area.

Minuses:

• the cost is on average higher than that of conventional cleaning sponges;
• Melamine will not cope with a thick layer of dirt, especially viscous fat - the sponge will quickly become sticky and dirty;
• melamine, if ingested, can be harmful to health;
• quick loss of shape with a washcloth during intensive use;
• Melamine crumbles during use.

How and where to store?

In order for a melamine sponge to live up to the expectations placed on it, it must not only be used correctly, but also stored correctly.

Necessary storage conditions include the following:

• away from sunlight and heating devices;
• in places protected from children and pets;
• away from food products;
• in a closed package.

Harm to health: myth or reality?

There is frequent controversy surrounding the health safety of melamine sponges. Many believe that such a remedy poses a real danger, but how true is this?

The only danger to the body is if this substance enters the digestive tract.. It is for this reason that it is not recommended to use sponges to wash the inner surface of dishes that come into direct contact with food.

Whether melamine is harmful to health or not, the video will tell you:

6 recommendations

Planned cleaning with a melamine sponge will help to carry out the highest quality cleaning if follow these recommendations:

1. It is not advisable to leave an incompletely used piece of sponge for future use. The best option is to immediately cut off exactly the part that is needed.
2. Before using melamine on any new surface, it is advisable to test the sponge on an inconspicuous area to ensure there are no scratches.
3. If only a corner of a sponge was used to treat stains, after use you can cut it off and throw it away, and leave the sponge bar for future use.
4. If the sponge no longer cleans the surface, throw it away and take a new piece.
5. When washing surfaces, wet the sponge only in cool water and avoid contact with hot water.
6. With caution, and only after preliminary testing, melamine can be used on painted surfaces.

Conclusion

Melamine sponges are a convenient cleaning tool that helps to cope with stubborn dirt and stains.

In order for the use of melamine sponges to give satisfaction from the work done, It is recommended to pay attention to the operating instructions and study the instructions first.