I'm absolutely obsessed with these melamine sponges - they've completely transformed my cleaning routine. I don't know how I managed before I discovered them! I've got a stash of them in my closet, and I'm always buying more. I've picked them up at Ozon, Pyaterochka, and my favorite Ulybka Radugi store.
Let's get real, I'm not a slob, but I wanted to show you the full effect of the sponge's power. I deliberately left my bathtub unwashed for a few days to see just how well it would clean.
I've been meaning to write a review about these amazing sponges for ages, because they've genuinely made my life so much easier! A Total Game-Changer.
I've tried sponges from various brands, but lately, I've been really loving the ones from Guten Tag, which is a brand from Ulybka Radugi.
The prices vary depending on the size and where you buy them. I've seen them range from 30 to 100 rubles. Either way, they're incredibly affordable.
One thing I've learned is that it's better to buy a bunch of sponges at once, because they can get snatched up quickly. I've had my fair share of times when I've had to ask, 'When will the sponges arrive?'
There are different manufacturers, but a lot of them are made in China. I don't have any issues with Chinese-made products - it's just the way things are nowadays.
Appearance.
The sponges are usually sold individually. Sometimes I see them packaged individually, but on Ozon, I buy them in blocks. You can get a pack of 4, 6, or even more melamine sponges in one package.
I've got to give a shoutout to Gutten Tag for this one.
It's super easy to open without scissors, just rip it right along the seam. Check out the info on the back about the ingredients and how to use it - this applies to all melamine sponges, not just this one. Ingredients.Melamine.
I'm a fan of short, one-component formulas - it's all straightforward and easy to understand.
First off, don't confuse it with melanin, which is responsible for skin pigmentation.
Secondly, there are a lot of scary rumors about melamine.
But first, let's get down to what melamine actually is:
Melamine is a white, solid, organic compound with a lot of nitrogen in it. If you mix it with formaldehyde, you get melamine resin. When you heat it up, the resin melts and solidifies, making it possible to create dishes out of it. The solidified melamine is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean, and looks more like ceramic than plastic.
Dangerous are melamine sponges?
Let's get to the bottom of whether melamine sponges are hazardous or not.
I found a great article on the topic, and I'll share some snippets from it.
Melamine is considered a low-toxic substance, but its particles can linger on cleaned surfaces and potentially be ingested. It's only hazardous when consumed, warned a source [here].
'It's in the food industry where melamine scandals have made headlines.' In 2009, a Chinese court sentenced the director of a factory producing infant formula tainted with melamine to the highest penalty,' an expert explained.
So, as long as you're not planning to lick the tub after cleaning, you're good to go
Other melamine sponge characteristics.
Color - I've only seen white ones. Never seen any other colors.
Material - it's incredibly light, fluffy, and porous, almost like a feather.
Smell - it doesn't have any scent, dry or wet.
I'll show you what it looks like when cut.
I've got an old scrubber from the same company that's been lingering around for ages, and it's been cut in half. To be honest, it's got a much more porous structure than this new one. The old one's on the left, and the new one's on the right. This thing is huge - it's like a small brick, almost as big as a woman's hand. But in reality, it's incredibly light, almost feather-like. It's ridiculously easy to tear this stuff into tiny pieces, and it doesn't even crumble. I've had other melamine sponges that were like old foam - they'd just fall apart. Not a single crumb!How I use my melamine spongeI mostly use it in the bathroom. For cleaning tile and fixtures, it's an absolute must-have for me.
Yellow stains and grease
Check out how well the melamine sponge wiped away the grease, yellowing, and those brownish-gray stains and splatters!!! Where did the grease even come from in the tub? You might be wondering. And I'm wondering the same thing - from the body scrub, which has tons of natural oils. Sometimes I get so greasy from using those scrubs that after I shower, the tub is so slippery I can almost slip and fall. But after using the melamine sponge, the tub looks brand new!
Here's another photo from the same series.
This is the new cast-iron tub in my place, and I've been keeping an eye on it. As I mentioned earlier, I got it just for writing this review, so I could show you guys some before-and-after pics.But then I visited my old apartment, and there was this ancient cast-iron tub that had been there for ages - it felt like it had seen generations of people! I was horrified by the state of that tub. When I grabbed the melamine sponge and started scrubbing, I felt like a sailor cleaning the deck! Ha-ha-ha. I went through multiple sponges and spent hours cleaning, but in the end, that old tub shone like new! I managed to remove some incredibly old stains that had been sitting on the surface for years and years.
I'll be honest with you, I tried to get rid of that old yellow stain on my tub with all sorts of powders, gels, and harsh chemicals - nothing worked, and I even thought about repainting it or something. But this melamine sponge did the trick. One single use, and all the other products, even the strongest ones, were useless.
The grime, the stain.
This grime and stain got acquainted with a body scrub - that rich, oily one. Plus, the grime.
Left, middle, right - before, during, and after. It shines like new! This melamine sponge literally removes grime and stains in just a few minutes.
I had to re-tile the middle section, sorry about that, I like to clean naked in the bathroom, it's more convenient, and I caught a glimpse of my bare chest in the reflection and added some tiles on top.
Clean white sole and colorful shoes. How to clean a white sole with a melamine sponge?Everyone knows that white soles, especially on sneakers, get dirty all the time. Some people just live with it, while others carefully clean them. I'm a neat freak who likes clean soles. And it's so easy to do. Just take a melamine sponge (damp is okay, but a dry one is better) and gently scrub the area where the stain is. One, two, three - and it's clean, like new, no stains!
The Magic of Melamine Sponges I was blown away by how well melamine sponges work. The melamine does the heavy lifting when it comes to cleaning, and the sponge's porous structure sucks up all the dirt and grime. According to an expert, you can use these sponges without any cleaning products and they'll still get the job done. They're perfect for tackling tough stains like kids' artwork on walls and furniture, as well as coffee and wine spills, and even grease and grime. You can use them to clean sinks, toilets, windows, and even delicate surfaces like plastic blinds and leather furniture.
How to Use a Melamine Sponge
There are two ways to use these sponges: dry and wet. The dry method is like using a rubber eraser - just rub away the grime. The wet method is my preference - I just wet the sponge and rub away. It's like magic - the sponge sucks up all the dirt and grime, leaving your surface looking like new. And when you're done, just wring it out and it's good as new.
One thing I love about these sponges is how they clean up. Just wring them out and the dirt and grime comes right out. No need to worry about clogged drains or messy cleaning solutions.
I was left with a tiny speck after cleaning up this mess (the piece at the top had broken off).
Not a single crumb left behind!
This is what I was left with - a tiny fragment.
It's super important to know what you can't clean with a melamine sponge. What precautions do you need to take?
According to Lobinets, it's not recommended to use hot water to clean the melamine sponge, as hot water can damage its structure and cause tiny particles to detach and potentially enter the body.
You should also avoid using it to clean hot cooktops (I have a glass-ceramic induction stove, but I never thought to use it for that purpose).
And for goodness' sake, don't take the melamine sponge to the kitchen - don't use it to wash dishes, the table, or any other surfaces.
My favorite melamine sponges.
This one is from Gutten Tag, from the Ulybka Radugi store, and the other one I bought at Perekrestok (I forgot the name).
And now, the good stuff...
Pros of melamine sponges.
I've gotta say, this thing is a beast when it comes to cleaning - it's like a magic eraser on steroids! I even used it to clean an old cast-iron bathtub that nothing else could touch, and it came out looking like new.
It's a total game-changer for tough stains and grime.I've had some pretty stubborn stuff on my floors and countertops, but this thing just wipes it away like it's nothing.One thing I will say is that you might get a little workout from using it - it's not the most ergonomic design, but hey, at least you'll have some toned arms, right?And the best part? It's super affordable!You can find it just about anywhere, which is a major bonus.Cleaning with this thing is a breeze - it's like a whole new world of cleanliness has opened up!And the best part? It doesn't leave any harsh chemical smells - a major win in my book!It's also super effective at getting rid of all sorts of grime and stains, from yellowing to grease to mineral deposits.It's super easy to use - just squirt, scrub, and rinse, and you're good to go!And it's not just for surfaces - I've even used it to clean my sneakers and colored leather, and it works like a charm!It's also super gentle on surfaces and skin, which is a major plus - I can scrub away without worrying about leaving behind any scratches or residue.And let's talk about the value for money - this thing is a total steal! No more buying tons of harsh chemicals or scrubbers - this one does it all!And the best part? It's super durable - I've dropped it a time or two, and it still looks brand new.The downsides of this amazing scrubber.
Not everything can be cleaned with it - some surfaces are just too sensitive.And be careful not to use it on your kitchen surfaces - the melamine can be toxic if ingested, so it's best to keep it out of reach of little ones.And if you're dealing with some serious grime or stains, you might need to use a few of these bad boys to get the job done - they do wear out pretty quickly.I'm always restocking my supply, just in case - it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing I've got a reliable cleaning tool on hand.
The Verdict.I'm a bit tired of people freaking out about melamine sponges. Honestly, I only use them on my sink, toilet, shower, and shoes. I have no idea why everyone's making such a big deal about them.
As long as you don't go around licking all the stuff I mentioned (no joke), there's no harm in using melamine sponges. They're only bad for you if you ingest them somehow.
Just keep them away from your kitchen and rinse them with cold water, and you're good to go.
I'm seriously obsessed with melamine sponges. I'll be buying them for years to come and enjoying the ease of cleaning without all the harsh chemicals.