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==Precautions== | ==Precautions== | ||
| + | ===Test in a small area=== | ||
If you are going to use the Magic Eraser on a vinyl liner it should be tested in a small out of the way spot to make sure it doesn't damage the liner. | If you are going to use the Magic Eraser on a vinyl liner it should be tested in a small out of the way spot to make sure it doesn't damage the liner. | ||
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| + | ===Concerns about Chlorine=== | ||
| + | The Magic Eraser box says not to use it with chlorine. | ||
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| + | In the Champion Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices article "Bleach in Embalming Rooms: Overrated and Overused Part 1" written by a chemist at The Champion Company: | ||
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| + | Note, however, that formaldehyde in the Magic Eraser is not a separate chemical but one component of a polymer so will not be nearly as reactive with chlorine. Also, the above description of problems with chlorine and formaldehyde is talking about the mixing of concentrated solutions. Nevertheless, in some polymers there are often found small quantities of unreacted monomers (individual ingredients) though how much depends on the specifics of the chemical manufacturing process. This patent, for example, describes formation of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite resin (copolymer) that outgases less formaldehyde. This MSDS for Magic Eraser says the following under Stability and Reactivity: | ||
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| + | The bottom line is that the active chlorine concentration in our swimming pools is equivalent to less than 0.1 ppm FC with no CYA. You should not be worrying about reactions of chlorine with the Magic Eraser. Not only are such reactions minimal due to the polymer itself, but the very low chlorine concentration makes any such reactions occur very slowly. Adding concentrated bleach to a Magic Eraser would be more of a problem, though even then the reaction rate would be fairly slow. An acidic chlorine solution such as from Trichlor or the use of chlorine gas or use of a stronger oxidizer (e.g. ammonium permanganate, chromic acid, fluorine) would be more of a problem. Again, chlorine at dilution amounts in swimming pools should not be an issue. | ||
Revision as of 14:36, 30 August 2019
Mr. Clean’s Durafoam Magic Eraser looka like a sponge and can be helpful cleaning dirt around skimmers and scum lines on pools. Questions often arise if the Magic Eraser is safe to use around pools.
The Magic Eraser is melamine foam. Basically they work as an extremely mild abrasive to remove the top layer of whatever they rub against when they're wet. Think super-fine sandpaper.
Precautions
Test in a small area
If you are going to use the Magic Eraser on a vinyl liner it should be tested in a small out of the way spot to make sure it doesn't damage the liner.
Concerns about Chlorine
The Magic Eraser box says not to use it with chlorine.
In the Champion Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices article "Bleach in Embalming Rooms: Overrated and Overused Part 1" written by a chemist at The Champion Company:
Note, however, that formaldehyde in the Magic Eraser is not a separate chemical but one component of a polymer so will not be nearly as reactive with chlorine. Also, the above description of problems with chlorine and formaldehyde is talking about the mixing of concentrated solutions. Nevertheless, in some polymers there are often found small quantities of unreacted monomers (individual ingredients) though how much depends on the specifics of the chemical manufacturing process. This patent, for example, describes formation of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite resin (copolymer) that outgases less formaldehyde. This MSDS for Magic Eraser says the following under Stability and Reactivity:
The bottom line is that the active chlorine concentration in our swimming pools is equivalent to less than 0.1 ppm FC with no CYA. You should not be worrying about reactions of chlorine with the Magic Eraser. Not only are such reactions minimal due to the polymer itself, but the very low chlorine concentration makes any such reactions occur very slowly. Adding concentrated bleach to a Magic Eraser would be more of a problem, though even then the reaction rate would be fairly slow. An acidic chlorine solution such as from Trichlor or the use of chlorine gas or use of a stronger oxidizer (e.g. ammonium permanganate, chromic acid, fluorine) would be more of a problem. Again, chlorine at dilution amounts in swimming pools should not be an issue.
