Magic Sponges
What you’ll need
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Hot water only
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Magic Sponge
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Essential Oil (an optional boost)
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Bicarbonate of Soda (an optional boost)
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Soda Crystals (an optional boost)
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Castile Soap (an optional boost)
- Rubber Gloves
Method
- Wet the Magic Sponge with water. Use hot water, if the surface you are cleaning isn’t heat sensitive, as the air pockets inside the foam expand, making the sponge even more effective.
- Wring it out. Then gently rub it over surfaces to clean away dirt and grime. The sponge will gradually wear down over time like a pencil eraser (you can cut sponges to size for single use).
- Rinse and clean away any residue and dry.
How to boost your Magic Sponge
Magic Sponges are a fantastic and effective way to clean without needing additional chemicals or surfactants. They work great with just water. That said, there are several eco-friendly methods to take your sponge game to the next level.
1. Add a nice boost of fragrance and anti-bacterial power.
Put 100 ml of warm water in a small bowl and add 5 drops of Essential Oil. Then use this scented water to get the sponge wet and clean.
2. Supercharge your Magic Sponge‘s cleaning power:
Mix 1 teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda, 100 ml of hot water, and 5 drops of your chosen Essential Oil in a glass container. Stir until everything is fully dissolved. Press the Magic Sponge in the mixture to absorb the liquid, then gently squeeze out any excess. Start cleaning and when you‘re done, rinse the sponge with clean, cold water before returning it to the glass container with the remaining mixture.
Pro Tip: Add a teaspoon of Soda Crystals to the mix for those tough jobs and remember to wear your rubber gloves.
3. Use the sponge with a spray:
Use your Magic Sponge with your favourite DIY Cleaning solution. For example 1 tbsp Castile Soap mixed with 250 ml hot water and 10 drops of your favourite Essential Oil. You can apply the solution directly onto the surface you wish to clean using a Trigger Spray Bottle or onto your sponge. Always make sure the sponge is damp, as a dry one can be quite harsh on surfaces.
Use for: Multiple Surfaces around the house
The Magic Sponges are a fantastic one-stop solution for a multitude of tough cleaning tasks and can be used on almost any hard surface. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Walls, doors, skirting boards, floorboards, ceilings, ornamental cornices, power outlets, and light switches:
Easily remove stains like crayon, marker and scuff marks and more from these surfaces.
Household appliances and white goods:
Get rid of grease, grime and food spills from the interiors of your microwave, dishwasher, oven and refrigerator. Don’t forget to clean the plastic agitator in your washing machine.
Pots and pans, cups and mugs:
Wave farewell to food residue, dried-on food and burn marks from pots and pans with metal surfaces. Banish stubborn coffee and tea stains from your favourite mugs.
Grills, stovetops, kitchen benchtops and kitchen sink:
Remove buildup of food and grease like a Pro.
No-wax floors:
Perfect for multiple floor surfaces to erase marks and stains with ease.
Multiple bathroom surfaces:
Remove hair dye marks, stubborn mineral deposits, dirt, soap scum, mould, and lime buildup around your bathtub and shower taps. Give your tiles a fresh look by banishing stains and soap scum, and don’t forget to clean the grout between them. Hard water spots on glass shower doors? No problem! (Just steer clear of coated glass doors.) Spruce up your shower racks, drains, shelves, soap dispensers, bowls, shower heads, curtain rods, towel bars, and cabinet handles.
Window, window screens and mirrors:
Clear away hard water stains, dirt, marks, and soap scum from your windows and mirrors.
Plastics, rubber surfaces, toys:
Spruce up your plastic furniture, whether it’s outdoor chairs or step stools, by banishing dust, dirt, and stubborn stains. Give your exercise gear a fresh look by erasing grass stains, grime, and scuff marks from those hard plastic and rubber surfaces. Bring the sparkle back to your kids’ toys—think plastic balls, dolls, figurines, and play sets. And don’t forget about the kitchen! Tackle those messy bins, plastic storage containers, and drawer organizers by wiping away marks, food splatters, and general gunk.
Sticky residue:
Easily remove sticky residues from labels on various surfaces without much scrubbing.
Shoes and sneakers:
Remove scuff marks, grass stains, and any other dirt from your shoes.
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Outdoors:
Remove rust from your shed and garden tools and other metal surfaces. Remove green algae from concrete bird baths, steps and ponds. Remove mildew and mould from your camping equipment.
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For the safest and most effective use, always use your Magic Sponge with water and resist the urge to press down too hard. Before going all-in on an entire surface, give it a trial run on a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t dull or scratch any delicate surfaces.
Skin:
Do not use directly on skin or leather. The ultra-fine foam can lead to abrasions.
Finished wood surfaces:
Do not use on finished wood surfaces, as it may easily leave marks or remove the wood finish.
Natural Stone:
Do not use on delicate surfaces like granit or marble.
Delicate surfaces like glossy or coated surfaces:
Do not use on polished and easily scratched areas, as they can damage delicate surfaces. They might remove the sealant and dull the glossy finish, making the surface look patchy and uneven.
Non-Stick pots and Pans:
Do not use them to wipe down nonstick pots and pans as it could damage their coating.
Car:
Do not use them on finely painted surfaces, such as the exterior of your car.
Screens:
Do not use Magic Sponges on electronic screens like those on computers, phones, or TVs. Instead, opt for our Fishscale Microfibre Glass Cloths to keep your screens scratch-free and in perfect condition.
If you boost your Magic Sponge
with Soda Crystals: Don’t use on delicate/polished/waxed/lacquered surfaces, glass, natural stone, wood or aluminium (can corrode aluminium and will discolour them), as they may cause damage.
with Bicarbonate of Soda: Don’t use on glass, aluminium, natural stone, sealed wood, antique silver, or gold-plated items.
with Castile Soap: Don’t use on waxed or oiled wood.
Magic Sponges are a wallet-friendly, chemical-free cleaning wonder, but they aren’t recyclable or biodegradable, so you’ll need to bin them when they wear out. Like a pencil eraser, they gradually wear down, and yes, you can snip them into smaller pieces for quick, one-time cleaning jobs.
To keep things shiny and scratch-free, always perform a little test patch first. Always pair the sponge with water and gentle pressure. After cleaning, make sure to wipe away any leftover residue, especially in areas where you prepare food. Keep the sponges away from kids and pets. They can be harmful if swallowed and may cause skin irritation. So, gloves on, and never use them directly on your skin.
If you boost your Magic Sponge
with Essential Oils, Bicarbonate of Soda or Soda Crystals remember safety first: Never consume these substances, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands, avoid getting them in your eyes or on your skin, and ensure they are stored securely away from pets and children. Use caution when using Essential Oils around young kids and pets; even small amounts can be harmful to your furry friends. Avoid using Essential Oils in cleaning recipes unless you have thoroughly researched the relative safety of the specific oil for your particular type of pet. Our Oils include safety instructions for both dogs and cats. If you are pregnant or have certain health conditions, Essential Oils may not be the right choice. Always check with your doctor before using Essential Oils.
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Give your cleaning routine a major boost by picking the perfect Essential Oil for the job. For example, Peppermint Oil is a champ at delivering streak-free windows and keeping pests at bay. Lemon Oil slices through grease like a pro and leaves your wood floors and furniture gleaming. Need to tackle some mildew? Tea Tree Oil is your go-to warrior. Lavender Oil is the multitasking hero you never knew you needed – it freshens up your mattress and bed linens and is so mild that you can even disinfect toys with it. Dive into the world of essential oils and discover their amazing properties.