Do Magic Erasers Work on Fabric? Here Are the Results

Magic erasers are some of the most popular cleaning supplies. Many people claim they work on almost any surface, but can you really use one of these erasers to clean the fabric and upholstery around your house? After all, the mildly abrasive eraser can damage some surfaces.

Magic erasers work on fabric by lifting the stains and washing them out with water or a fabric cleaner. Spray the fabric with the desired cleaner, wait for a few minutes, then scrub the fabric with a magic eraser in circular motions. Test a small area to ensure the fabric doesn’t tear.

In this article, I’ll show you how to clean fabric with a magic eraser. I’ll explain whether or not it works on upholstery and provide a few tips to keep in mind throughout the process.

How to Clean Fabric With a Magic Eraser

To clean fabric with a magic eraser, follow these instructions:

1. Vacuum or dust the surface to remove as much debris as possible. Hunker recommends getting rid of the debris to prevent it from sticking to the cleaning solution. You could also use a lint roller to pull off a lot of the dust beforehand, which is what I suggest for removing dog hair from shoes.
2. Spray the stain with a fabric cleaner. Choose the best fabric cleaner you can get your hands on. Resolve, Tide, and similar brands get the job done. They also don’t interfere with the magic eraser, which is a crucial component of the cleaning process.
3. Wait for five minutes (or as directed by the manufacturer). Some manufacturers suggest cleaning the solution after a couple of minutes to prevent stains and discolorations. While it might seem tedious, the waiting part is what lifts the stains from the fabric for the magic eraser.
4. Scrub the fabric with a magic eraser in circular motions. Magic erasers work best on fabric with continuous use. These erasers won’t get rid of the stain until you put a lot of elbow grease into the fabric. Deep stains typically require much more scrubbing.
5. Repeat the process if necessary. If the stain has been there for a long time or it was made by something with heavy dyes, you’ll likely have to add more fabric cleaner. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the best results. Make sure you let the fabric dry off to prevent it from getting soaked with mold.

If you’re looking for a high-quality fabric cleaner, try the Resolve Multi-Fabric Cleaner. It works on cotton, nylon, polyester, and other fabrics. Whether you want to clean your carpet, a couch, a mattress, or other items around your house, this spray will get the job done.

Note: Always follow the magic eraser’s labeled instructions before using other cleaning products with them.

Magic erasers work very well on fabric, but what about upholstery? If you have upholstered furniture with stains, read on for more helpful information.

Will Magic Eraser Clean Upholstery?

Magic erasers will clean upholstery, but you have to be a bit gentler than if you used one on traditional fabric. According to House Digest, you should wet the magic eraser, wring it out, and softly scrub the upholstered surface. This process prevents unwanted damage and irreversible stains.

Magic erasers can be used on plenty of surfaces. I have another post about using a magic eraser on a glass top stove. Water is often a requirement when using magic erasers on almost any fabric. It ensures the foam doesn’t fall apart or scrape the object.

Upholstery can be a bit less durable than brand-new fabrics. It’s always best to clean the stain or mess with a magic eraser as quickly as possible. Dry the stain, vacuum the area, then follow the previously mentioned steps.

If you’re worried about using a magic eraser on your upholstery, consider these issues:

• You shouldn’t use them if the upholstery has tears, rips, or loose fabric.
• Don’t use a magic eraser if the upholstery is too soaked (dry it off beforehand).
• Never use the abrasive scrubber on loose seams because they can remove the material from the fabric.

What to Know About Using a Magic Eraser on Fabric

Before you use a magic eraser on fabric, it’s essential that you know what not to do. For example, you shouldn’t scrub a torn piece of fabric with a magic eraser. The eraser is a bit too abrasive, which could end up tearing the fabric even more. It could also push small pieces of melamine into the fabric.

If you’re looking for a melamine bar to clean fabric, try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This classic cleaner removes debris and stains from countless surfaces, including clothes, glass, toilets, and more. Each pack comes with 10 reusable magic eraser bars. They include Durafoam to make them four times more durable, too.

Here’s what you need to know before using a magic eraser on fabric:

• Fabric cleaners drastically improve a magic eraser’s performance. Magic erasers work by lifting and scrubbing debris with an abrasive surface. However, many high-end fabric cleaners lift and soak the stain to make it much easier to clean. These cleaners also make it so you have to scrub much less.
• Never use a dirty magic eraser on fabric surfaces. While they can be used on glass, dirty magic erasers will spread the debris to the fabric. You could end up worsening the stain or causing other unwanted odors throughout the surface.
• Not all magic erasers are made with the same ingredients or quality. You could use the aforementioned Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to clean fabric surfaces, but low-end knock-off brands wouldn’t provide the same results. Some low-quality magic erasers fall apart too quickly.
• Some fabric stains can’t be removed with magic erasers. If the stain has been there for too long, there’s a high chance it’s stuck in the fabric. It dyes the fabric, making it nearly impossible to remove. You could scrub the surface with any product available and it wouldn’t go away.