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3 Best Magic Eraser Sponges, Tested by Our Experts

We evaluated six melamine foam sponges, including models from Mr. Clean as well as Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart. Our top choice gave the bald guy a run for his money.

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Magic eraser sponges on a yellow background
CR put these eraser sponges to the test by scrubbing crayon stains on walls, dirty sneakers, and more.
Photo: Scott Meadows/Consumer Reports

The first time I used a magic eraser sponge to clean my baseboard, every scuff mark that I assumed would remain a permanent fixture until I painted vanished within seconds, leaving behind a stark white, like-new baseboard.

I then set out to see what else the sponge could handle. Walls! Stovetops! Nasty old sneakers piled up by the entryway! I quickly realized this was one multitasking cleaning tool I’d never be without.

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Abrasive eraser sponges made of melamine foam are activated using water. They can then take on tough cleaning jobs like removing stains (even markers and crayons) from walls and baseboards, soap scum from grout, sticky residue on mirrors, and dirt from surfaces like sneakers.

The sponges often go by the name “magic eraser” in homage to the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, one of the original melamine sponges on the market.

But a crop of eraser sponge competitors have emerged to give Mr. Clean a run for its money, and CR decided to test them. We used six magic eraser sponges to clean crayon marks from walls, sticker residue from glass, dirt from sneakers, and grout on shower tile. Here’s how each fared and compared with Mr. Clean.

Best Everyday Essentials

Dish soaps, grout cleaners, upholstery cleaners, and other cleaning products are among the household basics that can make your days easier, more comfortable, and safer.

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Lisa Fogarty

Lisa Fogarty is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports. She studied journalism at Columbia University and has written numerous health, parenting, fitness, and wellness articles for The New York Times, Psychology Today, Vogue, and NPR. Lisa is passionate about mental health and is a co-creator of The Hunger Trap Podcast, which focuses on eating disorders. In her spare time she surfs, plays the guitar, and kickboxes. Follow her on X: @lisacfogarty