Melamine sponges can erase some of the most stubborn stains. More commonly known by a famous brand-name version of the product — Mr. Clean Magic Eraser — these sponges are beloved for their ability to clean without the need for additional cleansers.
But each time you use a melamine sponge, it sheds microplastics — and a lot of them.
Taken together, all the melamine sponges worldwide release 1.55 trillion microplastic fibers in any given month, according to a recent study published in a scientific journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The melamine foam used in these products is made of poly melamine-formaldehyde polymer, which the American Chemical Society describes as “a network of hard, plastic strands assembled into a soft, lightweight foam that’s surprisingly abrasive, making it the perfect material for very scrubby sponges.”
As the foam in the product wears down, it releases microplastic fibers that can eventually show up in sewer systems and the wider environment.
Microplastics are shreds of plastic measuring less than 5 millimeters (less than 0.2 inch).
As wildlife like fish inadvertently consume the fibers, microplastics end up in the food chain — which means we could end up eating them.
The researchers arrived at their figure of 1.55 trillion fibers per month based on Amazon monthly sales of melamine sponges during August 2023. However, they say the numbers could be higher, given that other retailers also sell melamine sponges.
The researchers also purchased melamine sponges from three popular brands and repeatedly rubbed them against textured surfaces so they could determine how fast they wear down and thus how much microplastic they release.
A single sponge releases roughly 6.5 million microplastic fibers for every gram of the sponge that is worn out, the researchers estimate.
Melamine sponges with denser foam wear down at a slower pace than those with less dense foam, however. So, the researchers are urging manufacturers to create sponges that are denser and more resistant to wear.
Consumers can prevent microplastics from ending up in the environment by using water filtration systems that catch the fibers in the home, the researchers say. Another option is for municipalities to install filtration systems in wastewater treatment plants.
Or, of course, you could just stop using melamine sponges, phase them out of your cleaning routine or use them less often.
They have their limitations when it comes to cleaning anyhow, as we detail in “Never Clean These 10 Things With a Magic Eraser.”
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