Mr. Clean Magic Erasers review: Ultra Thick vs. Ultra Foamy

Written by Samantha Mangino, home appliance and furniture tester with over two years of experience.

Updated March 12, 2024

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Whether you know the horrors of mystery stains in the bathroom or the look of a guilty child in front of their latest wall-drawn masterpiece, there’s only one solution. A soap and sponge can only do so much but the powerful friction of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser cleans up the most shocking of household messes.

Two new Magic Erasers are joining Mr. Clean's lineup—the Ultra Foamy and the Ultra Thick. Both Magic Erasers are fantastic, improving upon the original design to make it even more useful—something I didn’t think was possible. Each product possesses unique merits that make it best for certain clean jobs.

I used each while cleaning my kitchen, and my sink has never sparkled so bright.

Here’s how to decide between Mr. Clean’s Ultra Foamy and Ultra Thick Magic Erasers.

Materials and design

Close-up of the Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser box and product. — Credit: Reviewed / Samantha Mangino

What are Magic Erasers made of? Surprisingly, there’s no actual magic in Magic Erasers, but there are no chemicals either. Constructed of only melamine foam, the squishy Magic Eraser is deceptively hard.

But how do Magic Erasers work if they don’t have any cleaning agents? The foam is essentially like sandpaper that scrubs off stubborn stains.

The latest round of Magic Erasers is made of the same heavy-duty foam with some slight differences.

The Ultra Thick model is exactly that—extra thick. It’s as tall as two magic erasers stacked on each other, but no wider than normal. Sometimes regular Magic Erasers can shred apart when you start scrubbing, but the Ultra Thick version is more durable and will last you longer.

While the Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser is the same size as the original, it contains two pockets of Dawn dish soap at the center of the sponge. Once the sponge is wet, it suds up with the detergent. This is a great option for easy cleaning since all you need is water and the Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser—no extra soap or solution is needed.

Performance

Both products side-by-side. — Credit: Reviewed / Samantha Mangino

When it comes to cleaning messes that need grease-fighting power the Magic Eraser Ultra Foamy shines. The Dawn dish soap cuts through the grime of up to 150 messes around your home and reduces scrubbing time.

I love using the Ultra Foamy sponge in my kitchen. Cleaning my stove takes less time than a regular sponge and soap. Plus, my white cooktop looks the cleanest it ever has. It stays in good shape after use, ready to tackle multiple jobs.

The Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser also works wonders on sinks, especially stainless steel ones, that you want to leave sparkling.

Beyond the kitchen, the Ultra Foamy works hard on tacky or sticky messes like soap scum or dried sugar stains as Dawn’s suds loosen where a regular Magic Eraser can’t.

The main draw of the Ultra Thick Magic Eraser is the added plush of the sponge. It’s best used for heavy-duty jobs that take a long time. As the thicker sponge wears away while scrubbing, there’s more to it, meaning you don’t need to swap out for a new one as often.

While I generally like the Ultra Foamy more for kitchen use, the Ultra Thick is the better option for cleaning the inside of my oven since I need something that can handle a lot of surface areas.

It’s also ideal to use in places where you don’t necessarily need soap, like detailing car tires or buffing scuff marks on the dashboard.

Cost

Close-up of the Ultra Thick Magic Eraser box and product. — Credit: Reviewed / Samantha Mangino

When deciding between the Ultra Foamy and Ultra Thick Magic Erasers each costs the same. Both come in packs of three with an MSRP of $6.79. If you’re a fan of the original Magic Erasers, the Ultra Thick option has a lot of value, given that each sponge is the equivalent of using two at once.

For a grease-fighting Magic Eraser, the Ultra Foamy is a durable sponge for hard-to-clean messes with soap already added in, meaning you don't have to buy an extra cleaning agent.

Which Mr. Clean Magic Eraser should you buy—Ultra Thick or Ultra Foamy?

It depends on what you need to clean

If you need extra help around the kitchen or bathroom or need to clean up some sticky grime, reach for the Ultra Foamy. Thanks to Dawn detergent, its boosted power makes a world of difference. Plus, your surfaces will shine so much brighter.

When you have heavy-duty messes, go for the Ultra Thick eraser. The extra material makes a difference when it comes to just how long the sponge will last you.

The Ultra Foamy and Ultra Thick erasers tackle all your household needs. Which one is right for you depends solely on your cleaning preferences and where you want to use it.