I don't have the programming mojo to create my own advent calendar. So consider this blog as a text based advent calendar during this yuletide season.

Today's entry: The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

I'm not generally one to sing the praises of household cleaning products but I have to admit I was overjoyed when I finally found something that removed the tumeric stains on our kitchen counter (the result of trying to make Indian food at home). Not only did the Magic Eraser destroy the tumeric stains, but it easily took out the embedded red wine stains and the weird residue our crappy oven gloves left on the counter when they wet. I was enamored with the product and yet frightened of what sort of strange and undoubtedly dangerout solvent I had unleased into my home... until I found out that its not a solvent at all.

"Magic Eraser is composed of something called melamine, a material long used as a coating on fiberboard or particle-board core sheet products, which in turn are used in the manufacture of low-end furniture, shelving, etc. If you've ever handled a broken piece of melamine shelving, you may well have cut yourself on an edge. It's as hard and sharp as glass. Manufacture this in the form of foam, and you can imagine how effective it is for abrading surfaces. Because it's also supple, especially when moistened, it has a "magic" ability to work into the tiny cavities that hold dirt on many surfaces. Hence the name."

The above quote is from Bookthink where I also learned that the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can be used to clean up the dust jackets of your old books and more. Who knew?