If you've ever owned a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, then you know that you can't live without one.
This heavy-duty sponge is tough on grime and can clean practically anything with just water.
Unfortunately, this magical eraser comes at a cost.
Each pad costs between $1 and $2, and after thoroughly cleaning a few areas of your home, the eraser has used up all its magic.
Instead of shelling out more money, why not make your own Magic Eraser for a fraction of the cost!
CNET, the world's leading site for product reviews and how-tos, has discovered the "magic" behind these cleaning erasers.
The Secret Ingredient
What makes Mr. Clean so great is the material of the sponge.
Melamine sponges are denser and less abrasive. And the good news is that you can buy these sponges in bulk for cheap.
I bought 100 pieces of melamine cleaning sponges for less than $12, including shipping, on Amazon.
(Full disclosure we'll make a small profit if you choose to buy the sponges from Amazon.)
Think of it this way, if you pay $12 now for 100 pieces, you'll be saving more than $100 if you were to buy 100 Magic Eraser pads. (So each of these DIY pads are going to cost you only 10 cents!)
In the long run, this is going to be a huge benefit. Besides, two packs of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which usually have four pads inside, will cost roughly $12.
If this Amazon deal doesn't give you the bang for your buck, I don't know what will.
Now that you have the right sponge material, you need the right cleaning ingredients to get the job done.
Everything Else You Need
To make this magical concoction, follow Heather Schisler's recipe from her blog Passion for Savings.
Here are all the ingredients and measurements you need to prepare a single sponge. Double the amount if you need to use more than one sponge.
- 1 teaspoon of Borax
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of warm water
How To Make Your Own Magic Eraser
Basically, all you need are those two common household cleaning ingredients to make your own cleaning pad.
First, you must heat up the water.
Add the Borax and baking soda to a bowl, then add the warm water. Now start stirring the ingredients.
Once the ingredients are mixed well enough, place one of your melamine sponges in the bowl to soak up the solution.
Make sure you squeeze the excess out to prevent drips around your house.
If you're looking for an easier way to make this solution, add borax and baking soda in a spray bottle and spray the mixture on a wet melamine sponge. (This is my favorite method.)
The Results
These melamine sponges that come in bulk are slightly smaller than Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, but the results are as effective.
The upside to them being a little smaller is that you can gain access to hard to reach places like window tracks and grout.
Like the brand name Magic Erasers, the ones that I made required only a few wipes to remove grime.
You've got to try it for yourself!
Get these cheap sponges here, and start cleaning the right way for a fraction of the cost!
Are you looking for clever ways to make the most of your Magic Eraser? If yes, click here!
