Melamine sponge: what it is and what it is for, harm and health benefits

What kind of melamine sponge

Externally, melamine sponges are no different from foam sponges for washing dishes or cleaning. A rectangle of white or gray color with a dense, odorless, porous structure. The material feels denser to the touch than foam rubber; when moistened, it foams on its own.

Externally, melamine sponges are no different from foam sponges for washing dishes or cleaning.

Artificial melamine. The composition is 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.

Artificial melamine.

What is

The demand for cleaning sponges is due to their affordability, efficiency of use and savings on cleaning powders and liquids. When it comes to melamine sponges, many are interested in what they are and what the sponge consists of. Melamine does not occur in nature; it is produced in the laboratory using a synthesis reaction. The substance is colorless crystals, which are characterized by poor solubility in an aqueous environment and most organic compounds.

Foamed resin fibers have a mesh structure and contain hard microparticles with sharp edges. Thanks to abrasive inclusions, washcloths have good grinding characteristics. The product feels stiffer to the touch than foam rubber, but retains its elasticity when slightly compressed.

To fully understand what melamine sponges are, it is worth familiarizing yourself with their physical and chemical properties:

The material used is pure porous melamine.
Appearance – a white rectangular block.
Dimensions vary, the average size is 100x60x20 mm.
Melting point +354 °C.
Melamine is characterized by high hygroscopicity, non-flammability, thermal and chemical resistance, and the absence of a specific odor.

Despite the dense fiber structure, sponges absorb moisture well. Acting as an abrasive material, they do not scratch coatings, so they are widely used in everyday life. It has been experimentally established that they do not ignite when exposed to flame. A black coating remains on them, easily washed off with running water.

Harm and benefits of melamine sponge

Disputes about the appropriateness of use continue, despite the fact that the product has become widely used. As arguments, opponents recall the chemical origin of the product. Examples of melamine poisoning in China due to the substance getting into food and baby formula are given.

Disputes about the appropriateness of use continue, despite the fact that the product has become widely used.

Proponents say the low number of incidents compared with the breadth of use indicates the product is relatively safe.

Where is the truth? Modern research proves the safety of melamine sponges when used correctly. Use with proper safety precautions.

Modern research proves the safety of melamine sponges when used correctly.

The advantages of the product in comparison with other cleaning products are:

Unlike aggressive gels, cleaning sprays are non-toxic. Upon 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 results, no additional detergents are needed; many operations can be done using a miracle eraser.

However, you can harm your health if you neglect 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 diseases.

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 diseases.

Recent experiments have shown that melamine poisoning is possible if an amount of the substance enters the body comparable to a lethal dose of table salt for humans. It is clear that it is unrealistic to accidentally consume such an amount of product.

Recent experiments have shown that melamine poisoning is possible if an amount of the substance enters the body comparable to a lethal dose of table salt for humans

What qualities make the product stand out from the vast arsenal of detergents and cleaning products:

versatility - the functions of the device are almost limitless;
convenience - works great on vertical surfaces, where liquid preparations are inconvenient to use;
economy - the price of the product is low, especially when compared with the cost of the cleaning products that they replace;
environmental friendliness - the product is much safer than many household chemicals.

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.

Reviews from doctors and ordinary people

Customer reviews about the dangers and benefits of melamine sponge are quite contradictory. Doctors speak positively about the product.

Veronica: “I use a white sponge for cleaning, I like the result. I have heard opinions about toxicity, but my knowledge of chemistry and medicine says the opposite. The household chemicals I used before are much more toxic and harmful.”

Most housewives 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 away limescale in the bathroom and greasy stains in the kitchen. The husband is also happy, his favorite sneakers, which he was about to throw away, are shining white again.”

Negative reviews are often associated with improper use of the product:

Olga: “I bought a washcloth after hearing rave reviews from my friends. I didn't like it at all. It crumbles in your hands and it’s impossible to squeeze it out. I used a few pieces on the tiles in the kitchen, it would have worked faster with chemicals.”

Application area

The use of melamine sponge in the household is almost limitless.

It can be used for:

Washing windows and mirror surfaces
Cleaning tiles and pipes in the bathroom from plaque
Removing shoe marks from the floor
Cleaning wallpaper, upholstered furniture from traces of pens, felt-tip pens and other stains
Cleaning leather or suede products
Cleaning furniture upholstery or car interior
Cleaning the internal and external surfaces of the car

Melamine sponge will be an excellent tool for caring for your home, wardrobe, interior and car.

As for questions about the dangers of its use, it is important to follow the basic rules, do not overuse it and rinse well and shake off any remaining melamine.

How to use and what it cleans

Instructions for use

The rules for using a melamine eraser are not the same as those for regular foam pads. Among the application features are the following:

To use as a cleanser, the product is only slightly moistened with water.
To avoid deformation, do not twist, squeeze or crumple the eraser. It is only slightly squeezed between the palms. If you wring it out like a regular washcloth, the porous structure will be disrupted and such a washcloth will be of no use.
If the cleaning area is small, it would be more pragmatic to cut a small piece from the whole sponge.
It is more convenient to wash off dirt with the corner of an eraser: this way it wears out less, but removes dirt more effectively.
Due to its special structure, during operation the sponge is erased like an eraser. In this case, its particles may remain on the treated surface. Remove the residue with a damp cloth, after which the surface is wiped dry.
After use, the sponge is washed with water and dried.

Some important tips for using sponges

To make cleaning with a melamine sponge as effective as possible, remember a few more rules.

Do not press the sponge too hard when cleaning fragile, thin or varnished surfaces. Otherwise you will damage the surface.
If you decide to wash dishes with a melamine sponge, do it only from the outside. After processing, be sure to rinse the items with running water to remove all particles of material.
If somehow melamine gets inside the body, immediately, without delay, consult a doctor.
To remove grease from the surface, cut a small piece from the sponge. If you use the entire sponge, you will not be able to rinse the grease off; you'll have to throw it away.
If you need to clean suede or smooth leather, use a dry piece of melamine. Moistened melamine will ruin the color of the item and damage its structure.

Video: Melamine sponge. What is it and how does it work?

Important! Use the product with caution on smooth surfaces: glass, mirrors. The abrasive edge may leave scratches.

Application area

The advertisement claims that all stains can be easily removed by a melamine sponge. What can this product clean? Experienced housewives say that the scope of application of the product is truly extensive.

The advertisement claims that all stains can be easily removed by a melamine sponge.

In residential areas it is used for cleaning:

bathroom – removes rust and limescale from taps, pipes, plumbing fixtures, cleans tiles and tile joints; used for washing bathtubs, washbasins and showers;

kitchens – cleans all surfaces from grease and soot: furniture, stove, hood, tiles; removes carbon deposits from kitchen utensils; destroys soap stains, used for washing ovens and microwaves;
living rooms - used for removing stains from felt-tip pens, ink and ballpoint pens from wallpaper and furniture, for cleaning upholstered furniture from dirt, for streak-free washing of glass and mirrors;
offices – erases shoe marks from linoleum or laminate; Removes stubborn stains from office furniture and office equipment.

The abrasive properties of sponges are used to remove stains from leather products: furniture, clothing, shoes, bags and accessories. The ability to clean leather surfaces of light shades from dirt is especially appreciated. Another area of application is whitening white shoe soles. The sponge perfectly removes stains of various origins, thus extending the life of shoes.

Note! Do not use melamine sponge with detergents. An unpredictable chemical reaction may occur, releasing hazardous substances.

Varieties

The range of melamine sponges is presented:

Solid (100% melanin) porous products in white, dark gray or black. The former are more common and cost less, the latter are considered more wear-resistant, but cost 1.5–2 times more. Black melamine sponges are usually slightly larger in size.
Single and multi-layer varieties. A sponge, consisting of porous layers with different compositions, is considered more convenient and safe and is actively used in everyday life. Most often, melamine is combined with ordinary foam rubber; less often, a reinforcing layer of metal or polyurethane foam is added to these materials.

Regardless of the color and number of layers, it is worth knowing in advance how to use a particular type of melamine sponge.

In practice, the difference between different colored stamps is weak. The exception is dark gray sponges with a compacted top layer. Outwardly, their surface resembles emery rather than foam rubber, but such products still do not leave scratches on the surfaces being cleaned.

Solid

Combined

Is it possible to wash dishes with a melamine sponge?

The multitasking of a product does not mean that it can be used everywhere. There is controversy about the use of the product for washing dishes. As arguments “against” 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 are a huge number 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 soot and soot.

Attention! You should use the product even on the outside of dishes used for cooking with caution, then wash the dishes using your usual detergents and rinse thoroughly.

Is there a health hazard?

Although the sponge does an excellent job, there are several reasons to avoid daily cleaning with a melamine sponge.

Melamine can cause poisoning, diarrhea and vomiting with prolonged contact with food and their further consumption.
Melamine settles in the kidneys and, when accumulated, can lead to the development of urolithiasis, cancer and even death. True, an adult will have to consume a very large amount of melamine before poisoning occurs.

Several cases of serious poisoning and death from melamine have been reported around the world.

The first is related to Chinese infant formulas that had melamine added to them.

The growing scandal over the death of 4 children drew the attention of the European population to the use of melamine.

The second case involved the death of cats and dogs in the United States from kidney failure. As it turned out, traces of melamine were found in the animal feed of the famous company Menu Foods Inc in grain gluten of Chinese origin.

Please note that in both the first and second cases, children and animals with low body weight were harmed, and melamine was deliberately added to food products.

But don't demonize melamine too much. If you use the sponge wisely and in compliance with safety precautions, it will not cause harm.

Melamine sponge for cars

This invention is also suitable for car enthusiasts. During use, oil, fuel and rust stains appear, which the magic eraser can easily deal with. The product will help to effectively clean the interior: remove old dirt from panels, refresh seat upholstery. Many motorists use melamine sponges to polish their car body themselves.

This invention is also suitable for car enthusiasts.

What is foamed melamine

The chemical composition of the product consists of foamed melamine. Initially used in construction as a heat and sound insulating material. It began to be used as a cleaning agent later, when its abrasive properties were discovered.

The chemical composition of the product consists of foamed melamine.

In 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 fibers at the edges. The action is similar to sandpaper. Its uneven surface perfectly collects dirt from surfaces.

In structure, these are colorless crystals obtained as a result of resin foaming.