A link on Everyday Mommy’s blog led me to this post about a little boy whose face was chemically burned after helping his mom clean using one of the Magic Eraser products (Mr. Clean and Scotchbrite both make versions, and there are generic ones as well).
I had just gotten one of these on someone’s recommendation but haven’t opened it yet. Looks like rubber gloves are in order.
It’s probably a good idea with any cleaning product to assume it would be harmful to skin unless you know otherwise. Not to reflect negatively on the mom in question — she looked for the warning labels and there were none — and there should have been.
Stray Thoughts 
Wow! Was she using it to clean the little boy’s face??!! I’ve never had any trouble with the Magic Eraser. In fact, it’s one of my favorite cleaning tools. It works wonderfully on stains on my white countertops. It’s great for bathrooms. I am hooked on them, in fact. 🙂
I went to the post and read the whole story–that’s awful, but still I think generally this product is safe when used as directed. I would imagine that a toddler’s skin is way more sensitive than an adult’s. You never know how chemicals are going to react on your skin. It’s a good warning to be careful with these products.
Oh goodness! He looks so sore! Thanks for the warning.
Hi, I’m a little late commenting. I came over via owlhaven (I think). And decided to check out one of your archives.
I have heard that there is formaldehyde in magic erasers, but I thought these things had to be included in the ingredients list, or a warning of some sort at least. I have never had any type of skin reaction, nor have my children. I make them clean their ‘artwork’, crayon, pen/cil, etc off the walls themselves. I’ve never seen this before, but everyone’s skin is different. I do like the product, but I may discontinue letting my children use it.
Poor little boy though, it looks like it hurts:(