10 Things You Should Never Do with a Magic Eraser

Rachel BroughamUpdated: Jul. 20, 2023

Magic Erasers can be, well, magic. The versatile cleaning tool helps you remove residue from old stickers, clean marks from the wall and remove dirt and grim from a variety of surfaces. But before you get cleaning, here are 10 things you should avoid when using a Magic Eraser.

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Some Countertops

Magic Erasers are abrasive, so avoid using them on delicate countertops such as marble and granite. Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the countertop appear dull. All of these cleaning products can cause more harm than good.

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Stainless Steel

If you scrub your stainless steel too hard with a Magic Eraser, you can actually make it look more dull. If your stainless steel appliances have scratches, try sanding them out instead. Try these stainless steel scratch remover tricks for appliances.

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The Outside of Your Car

While Magic Erasers can come in handy for removing dirt and grim from your car’s cupholders and dashboard, don’t use them to polish the outside of your car. The eraser’s abrasiveness can do damage to your car’s paint. Get your car looking shiny and new with these cleaning tricks.

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Nonstick Pots and Pans

Magic Erasers may feel like a soft sponge, but using one on your nonstick pots and pans can cause scratches to their surface. When nonstick pans become scratched, some of that coating can get into your food. These are the 10 things you should never wash in your dishwasher.

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Collectibles

If you have any valuable collectibles, such as toys and hand-me-down jewelry, think twice before using a Magic Eraser to clean up old dirt and grime. Your collectibles aren’t worth the risk of doing more damage than good.

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Wood Surfaces

While Magic Erasers can be used to get crayon marks off a painted wall, don’t use them to clean wood paneling or other finished wood surfaces. The abrasiveness can strip away the finish. These 100 essential cleaning hacks come in very handy around the house.

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Glossy Paint Finishes

Be careful when using Magic Erasers on painted surfaces with glossy finishes. The abrasive eraser can damage the finish and make it look dull and uneven. Here are 16 genius cleaning hacks you’ll want to steal from professional house cleaners.

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Toilet Bowls

The internet is full of Magic Eraser fails from users. One of those fails includes dropping the eraser in the toilet bowl to clean it. Since the eraser’s magic comes from its tiny microfibers which lift stains away, this tactic is useless—you do still have to scrub!

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Skin

No matter how tempting it may be to use a Magic Eraser to clean ground-in dirt from your child’s fingers, never use it on bare skin. The eraser’s abrasiveness can damage skin and cause irritation.

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Don’t Use a Magic Eraser on Anything Without a Spot Test

If you’re unsure, always do a small spot test before using a Magic Eraser. The last thing you want is to ruin a surface when you’re just trying to do a little cleaning. Learn how to clean furniture and fight odor without harsh chemical cleaners.

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Originally Published: November 01, 2018

Rachel Brougham

Rachel Brougham lived through a major home renovation in 2019, knows the ups and downs of home improvement, and loves sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, she’s won several awards for her writing and has covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food. She’s written for several publications beyond newspapers including Bob Vila, Taste of Home and Minnesota Parent, and she currently writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column. Her memoir, Widowland, about the sudden loss of her husband, was published in 2022. She specializes in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her tending to her garden (both vegetables and native plants), playing with her dog, watching sports with her family or getting some exercise. A native of Michigan, she currently lives in Minneapolis. An avid user of Instagram, you can follow her @RachBrougham.