Advantages And Disadvantages of Melamine Sponge | Rules of its use

Advantages And Disadvantages of Melamine Sponge | Rules of its use:

In the market of household goods there are items that simplify the care of home appliances, appliances, furniture and interior elements. The latest innovation from manufacturers of household products - melamine sponge, a convenient and useful tool to restore order in the house. It is easy to use and has good abrasive properties.

What is it?

Demand for cleaning sponges is driven by their affordability, application efficiency and economy of cleaning powders and liquids. When it comes to melamine sponges, many people are interested in what sponges are and what they consist of. Melamine is not found in nature, it is obtained in a laboratory by means of a synthesis reaction. The substance is a colorless crystal, which is characterized by weak solubility in the aquatic environment and most organic compounds.

Foamy resin fibers have a mesh structure and contain solid microparticles with sharp edges. Thanks to the abrasive inclusions of the sponges, good grinding characteristics are characteristic of the resin. The product is tougher than the foam rubber, but retains its elasticity when easily compressed.

For a complete understanding of what melamine sponges are, it is worth learning about their physical and chemical properties:

1. The material is pure porous melamine.
2. Appearance - white block of rectangular shape.
3. Dimensions vary, the average size is 100x60x20 mm.
4. Melting point +354 °C.
5. Melamine is characterized by high hygroscopic properties, non-flammability, thermal and chemical stability, and absence of specific smell.

Despite the dense structure of the fibres, the sponges absorb moisture well. Acting as an abrasive material, they do not scratch the coatings, so they are widely used in everyday life. Experiments have shown that they do not catch fire when exposed to flames. They are left with black plaque, which is easily washed away by running water.

Principle of operation:

Melamine acts as a stationery eraser due to its abrasive effect. It wipes dirt from various types of coatings, penetrating deeply into the pores of the material. Use of sponges can be compared with application of a fine-grained sandpaper. When wetting with water, the block slides on the surface, collecting dirt and holding it inside the fibers, so that the sponge gripes and removes dirt. Functional features of the melamine sponge:

1. The three-dimensional mesh structure of solid melamine yarns is formed by open-cell walls in which contaminants are trapped.
2. Unlike polystyrene foam, which is made up of many individual bubbles, melamine is much harder. Therefore, the sponge works on the principle of a rigid brush.
3. Contaminants are effectively eliminated without any cleaning agents due to inclusions of sharp microparticles with good abrasive properties.
4. The sponge cuts off dirt under mechanical attack. It does not smear or press dirt into porous surfaces.

During cleaning, the connection between the stain and the material is destroyed, and melamine crumbs are formed on the surface to be treated, which has absorbed the dirt. The washcloth is erased and reduced in size, so there is almost no contamination in it. Baby should be removed - first wipe with a damp cloth, and then wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

The main advantage of the melamine sponge is its versatility. The cost of the device will cost more than a simple foam sponge. But since there is no need to use household chemicals, the purchase justifies itself.

The Pros.

The list of items cleaned by the melamine sponge is quite extensive. In addition, the sponge has the following advantages:

1. Efficiency - easily removes lime deposits on sinks, toilets, baths, rust marks on mixers, dirt on tiles, ceramics, and intertile joints. The melamine sponge effectively handles many impurities.
2. Versatility - you can clean the kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, nursery, office, office, which indicates the multifunctionality of the product.
3. Gentle and high-quality cleaning - the sponge erases dirt like an eraser. On the treated area there are no divorces or scratches in contrast to hard sponges and nets.
4. Budget saving, foaming - in the process of friction wet sponge forms an abundant foam, so you can save on household chemicals. Pollution is removed without the use of cleaning and detergent.
5. Moisture absorption - no leaks when using the melamine sponge. The porous structure of the material has good hygroscopic properties and perfectly absorbs water.

The sponge is used for cleaning furniture, upholstered with leather or leather substitute, it is wiped with wallpaper, floor covering. Melamine sponge is needed for cleaning the pool, cleaning the car interior, rubbing stains on a light shoe sole.

Minuses

Unlike conventional foam sponges, which cost 80-90 rubles per set of ten pieces, melamine sponges cost more. The price of one piece of 10x6x2 cm is 40-50 rubles. That is, you need to pay for the miracle-jaws five times more. This applies to the shortcomings of the product, but it is much more effective to use it for cleaning. It is possible to allocate some more minuses:

1. Loss of form with time. From the constant absorption of damp dirt, the internal structure is destroyed.
2. The sponge crumbles and the abrasive particles remain on the surface. Therefore, it is advisable to rinse the coating with water and wipe it off.
3. In the product description, the manufacturer indicates that the sponge is suitable for removing all types of dirt. In practice, this is not entirely true.

Rules of use

How the melamine sponge is used determines the service life of the product. If you rub a very dirty stove, oven, hood or hood intensively, the melamine will be wiped off quickly, within about an hour. Instructions for use of the melamine sponge:

1. A sponge should be worn with protective gloves so as not to damage the skin with sharp melamine particles.
2. It is necessary to measure the size of the dirty surface with the dimensions of the bar to avoid wasting extra material.
3. The sponge is taken out of the packaging, and a piece of suitable size is cut off from the large piece with a sharp knife or scissors.
4. The sponge baths are doused in a container of warm (not hot) water and pressed slightly to remove excess moisture.
5. The instructions on how to use the melamine sponge indicate that the sponge should not be squeezed, squeezed or bent in half.
6. The dirty surface is cleaned with a corner to prolong the service life of the product.
7. There is no need to add detergents. Melamine interacts with some chemicals, which can cause a dangerous reaction.
8. Crumbs are wiped with a damp and then dry cloth after cleaning, the sponge is washed with running water and drained off.
9. Do not wash dishes and surfaces that come into direct contact with food with a sponge.
10. The sponge is kept out of the reach of children and pets. The shelf life of the product is unlimited.
11. In the process of cleaning it decreases in size, is erased - it is normal. The rest of the product should be thrown into the garbage, special disposal is not required.
12. Melamine sponge does not wash vegetables, fruits, other products, do not use it as a means of personal hygiene, instead of soap or shower gel.

Is there any Harm?

The controversy surrounding the toxicity of melamine sponges continues. After research, scientists have concluded that if ingested, the crystals settle in the kidneys and, as a result, cause the development of urolithiasis. Melamine sponges are harmful or not:

1. During intensive and frequent use, microparticles of melamine remain in the treated areas so that they cannot enter the body. Therefore, sponges are not used to wash tableware and kitchen utensils that come into contact with food.
2. Melamine is described in medical records as harmful if swallowed, inhaled and dangerous to health. Hands that are not protected by gloves can be damaged by sharp abrasive particles (scratches, abrasions).
3. If hot surfaces are cleaned with a sponge, formaldehyde is released into the environment. These particles are dangerous to health because they have carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and allergenic properties.
4. Even when in contact with cold water, melamine shows alkaline content. It can react with cleaning agents and cause unpredictable toxic effects.
5. Melamine crumbs leave light spots on soft surfaces, such as paper wallpaper. The glossy plastic of the furniture facades produces little visible scratches. At processing of the enameled products it is possible to damage a covering.

The reasons for the danger of sponges are the toxicity of the melamine itself. To minimize the risk, you do not need to wash the dishes and kitchen utensils in which food is prepared or stored with a sponge.

If you follow the manufacturer's instructions, this sponge will be of great use. If the rules of operation are followed, the melamine "helper" will not cause any harm.