Mr. Clean Sponge

[bbrunko]

So we want to use a mr.clean on our pool but are concerned that it may release fibers into the pool. Or is it chemicals in the sponge? I have read about how it affects skin so we are concerned there could be something that could be harmful to swimmers eyes.

[Watermom]

I don't know about this product you are talking about. What kind of pool do you have and what do you need to clean? Try making a paste with baking soda and using that to see if it will work for you.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

Never, ever use any sort of household cleaning product in the pool . . . unless it's something we've specifically recommended for that purpose. Right now, that consists of 4 items:

• borax => 20 Mule Team Borax from Walmart or elsewhere
  
  
• baking soda ("Alkalinity Increaser") => Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, 4 lb or other brand from Walmart or elsewhere.
  
  
• washing soda ("pH Increaser") => Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or other brand from Walmart or elsewhere.
  
  
• PLAIN 6% household bleach => Walmart Great Value bleach) -- big box store brands are preferable, since they are (a) usually 6%, & (b) not mixed with goop, like some Clorox blends.

Using 'soapy' detergents in your pool can cause problems that will last for weeks.

[bbrunko]

It is a vinyl pool and we need to clean the step insert and swim out. My concern is based on stories of what happens when people have used the mr.clean sponges on their skin. I don't know if it is a chemical or fibers that cause the irritation, we don't want to put anything harmful back into the pool or even in the filter.

[Watermom]

If there is any question about using it, then I wouldn't.

[clayr]

just to chime in. The Mr clean sponge does not contain any chemicals or cleaning solutions. it will rub off like a pencil eraser and leave some particles though.
Here is a Wikipedia entry for the product http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine_foam

[PoolDoc]

How were you able to determine that the "Mr. Clean Sponge" was melamine foam, and NOTHING else?

[clayr]

I live in Procter & Gamble country, Cincinnati Ohio, and know folks who work there (they where all excited by how well it cleans, without the use of chemicals, since "green products" are all the rage.)
Also if you read the wikipedia article and follow the links to the BASF article it explains how it is made.

[PoolDoc]

Sorry, but without documentary evidence from Proctor & Gamble's site OR from the Mr. Clean package, that clearly indicates that the sponge is ONLY melamine foam, I don't think it's reasonable or prudent to assume that.

Large companies are constantly looking for ways to cut costs or improve consumer acceptance of products, and if nothing forces them to keep to a particular formula (such as a public statement to the effect that they WILL stick to that formula), if if Clean Sponge *were* only melamine foam TODAY, there's no guarantee it will be still only that, tomorrow.

Proctor & Gamble has been one of the worst about issuing "New & Improved" products that are 'improved' by reduced active ingredient, or by repackaging in a container with updated graphics and reduced contents, as in, "improved, easier to handle container' . . . that is easier to handle because it contains 62 fl. oz. instead of 64!

As I understand it, the various laws establishing and extending the responsibilities large publicly traded companies have to their shareholders have been revised over the last 10 - 15 years in such a way that they have created an OBLIGATION on the part of those companies to rip off consumers every way they can legally do so, if by ripping them off, they can improve returns to shareholders. It may not have been the intention of those writing the laws, to create that effect, but as I understand it, that effect WAS created, intended or not.

The short version of all that is that big US companies are now legally obligated to rip off consumers in every way they can, and thus -- by law -- cannot be trusted.

So, barring some sort of written evidence that P&G not only HAS made the clean sponge from melamine foam, but has obligated itself to CONTINUE to do so, there's no way to be sure.

[clayr]

I like your cynicism!!!
Sometimes I hate typed words, I was being more sarcastic about knowing people who work there. I do, but that doesn't mean that they developed the product or know 100% about the manufacturing process of an item and I wouldn't take my or there words as fact without doing my own research (until I read your reply I thought I was the king of cynics).
I certainly don't want to be the guy defending this or almost any product, but in the interest of me being right ;-) I have a link to a pdf file that contains the ingredients:
http://www.pgproductsafety.com/produ...r_Original.pdf
It say's ingredient Melamine Polymer and purpose abrasive foam, but please check it out for yourself.
If you find that it doesn't contain anything other than the Melamine Polymer, I can definitely say it would work great for cleaning off steps, or fences around pools. But like I said earlier they do end up shredding and it is very similar to a pencil eraser that is coming apart.

On another note, Thanks for all the info and help you guys provide! This is my first pool and from the get go I have been utilizing your methods with the pool and everything (other than some high PH and TA that I am working on with muriatic acid) everything has been simple, easy and effective!