More recently, we did not hear anything about melamine sponges, and today they have become a favorite tool for housewives to deal with stubborn stains. And indeed, why buy dozens of different products when she alone can easily cope with all the problems! The women who tested the sponge recommend it to their friends as the best kitchen assistant. However, do not rush to conclusions. Today we want to understand what a melamine sponge is. Reviews, harm and benefits expected from her in the kitchen, as well as reliable facts, are in our today's article.
What is melamine?
This is not a miracle of genetic engineering, but simply a synthetic material that is used in the manufacture of plastics. It makes very comfortable sponges. They are quite dense, they do not stick fat and other impurities, as is often the case with their foam counterparts. Detergents foaming on them longer than usual, but even without the use of the latter, you can quite successfully fight with dirt. Now we will tell you in more detail what they say about what the melamine sponge is in action , reviews. The harm or benefit comes from this product, also remains to be seen.
Main difference
First of all, this is the price. In the store you can easily notice that it is the melamine sponge that is more expensive. The reviews (the harm and benefits in them are discussed in sufficient detail) indicate that, despite its highest effectiveness in the fight against complex spots, it almost immediately becomes unusable. That is, in the kitchen it is best to have several copies at once: one ordinary foam rubber, for simple pollution, and a batch of melamine.
What is used for
As we have already said, its front is the most complex. Therefore, in the event that nothing helps, a melamine sponge is used. Reviews (the harm and benefits described in them are sometimes too biased) tell us that it is a small dense rectangle. In contact with water, it immediately changes physical properties, becomes soft and supple.
It is enough to rub the pollution with a sponge - and that's all, itβs ready, you no longer need to buy chemicals that can harm your health. Most often it is used for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, various contaminated surfaces in the house. This is a great way to wipe your children's art from various surfaces without any effort.
What provides such properties
Why is the melamine sponge so special? Reviews, harm and benefits, price - all this is often subjective information. It costs an order of magnitude more expensive than conventional sponges. But the result is definitely worth it. Due to the special finely porous structure, the sponge captures all the dirt and perfectly holds it. This is noticeable when there is a sticky grease stain on the surface, which foam rubber either simply passes without hooking or binds in it. As a result, the entire surface is covered with a sticky film, and it remains only to throw the sponge into the trash.
Melamine interacts with contamination in a different way. After reaction with water, it becomes a kind of cleaning agent and, like a magnet, absorbs all the dirt. It is this property that makes the sponge an indispensable tool for eliminating stubborn stains.
Duration of service and health effects
How long can a melamine sponge last? Damage to health or benefits from it? These questions concern women who are worried about their family. In fact, this is a regular foam plastic. It is widely used in furniture manufacturing. When foaming, a unique structure is formed, which consists of solid resin fibers. When the sponge glides over the surface, these fibers trap dirt. In general, the principle of its action is, rather, comparable to that demonstrated by the school eraser. Based on this, it is possible to answer the question about the duration of its service. It is erased, and quickly enough. Therefore, to clean a large surface will require a few pieces.
Getting started cleaning
Each hostess will guess without a hint how a melamine sponge is used. Testimonials (use, the harm of which has not been proven, is becoming increasingly popular today) emphasize that it is very easy. It is enough to soak it in water and squeeze it slightly. But you can not twist, as you can break the product. Wipe the surface first with one corner, so it will last longer. Contaminated, melamine becomes brittle. Therefore, if you rub the corner, then it will last longer. And using the entire surface, you will not have time to look around how the sponge crumbles.
By the way, experienced housewives recommend wearing gloves before work. No, the sponge is safe for your skin, but excessive friction can adversely affect the state of the manicure.
Possible harm
So far, we have talked about the positive properties of melamine. Why do some housewives continue to doubt him and buy time-tested foam? The benefits and harms of melamine sponge have been investigated for a long time. Based on the experiments performed, the following conclusions can be drawn: it is non-toxic, does not cause allergic reactions and does not irritate the skin. However, the instructions in black and white say: do not use to wash things that will come in contact with food.
It is not clear yet, but let's understand. Melamine itself is not dangerous, it can be compared with soda or salt. However, once it enters the body, it can settle in the kidneys, causing urolithiasis. This property of the substance was discovered by chance, but now manufacturers are reinsured. In fact, for the slightest threat to human life and health to appear, you need to eat a dozen of these sponges. Small particles that may remain on the dishes will not be noticed by your body. However, the manufacturerβs duty is to warn you.
Product Features
What other secrets does the melamine sponge keep? Reviews (the instructions fully disclose the harm and benefits, which means the desire of the manufacturer to be honest with their consumers) indicate that the kitchen should have a regular rag, which will cope where melamine should not be used. This applies primarily to washing dishes, for the reason that hot water for melamine is contraindicated. It is best to use cold or slightly warm, since when heated, such a sponge becomes more toxic. This also applies to dishes made of melamine.
The second important point is the use of detergents. In the case of a melamine sponge, this is not contraindicated, but not recommended. She perfectly launders without the addition of special tools. But chlorine-containing chemicals, when combined with melamine, form toxic compounds, so take them away. As you can see, there are subtleties, and they must be taken into account.
Various surfaces
The manufacturer recommends using super-sponges to wash the entire house, but there are moments that every housewife should know. It is not recommended to use a melamine sponge to clean products coated with enamel, varnish or paint. Wipe the glass very carefully, as coarse fibers can scratch it. This also applies to plastic. If in doubt, try the sponge in an inconspicuous area, and only then go to the main surface.
Summing up, we can say that it is not worth talking about a melamine sponge as a panacea for all types of pollution. However, she can help the hostess in her hard work, especially if she is used exclusively for its intended purpose.