In the early 21st century it was discovered that melamine foam sponge is an effective abrasive cleaner.

The open-cell foam is microporous and its polymeric substance is very hard, so that when used for cleaning it works like extremely fine sandpaper, getting into tiny grooves and pits in the object being cleaned. On a larger scale the material feels soft because the reticulated foam bubbles interconnect. Its structure is a 3D network of very hard strands, when compared to the array of separate bubbles in a material such as melamine foam sponge.

Applications :

Melamine foam magic sponge only need water to effectively clean stains making them convenient to use. By slightly dampening the foam sponge, it can be used to clean crayon, marker, and grease from a painted wall, stains from baseboards and floors, and scuffs on just about any surface. It is also very useful for getting into small grooves where stains tend to settle. The Magic eraser can be used repeatedly but will wear slowly with each use. It may leave behind a residue as it reacts to the surface being cleaned but this is easily cleaned away with water.