8 Best Tried and True Japanese Melamine Sponges in 2022 (LEC, Azuma, and More)
Melamine sponges are popular because they can remove stubborn dirt and grime without using any soap. The raw material is a foam made from melamine resin. When combined with water, this kind of sponge becomes a powerful cleaning ally. They're good for screen doors, bathroom and shower, and especially for removing water stains on glass. There are a lot of products available, but not all are equal!
Our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Kakaku.com for the best melamine sponges available online. We then picked out the most popular products and tested them for three things:
- Ability to remove dirt
- Ease of use
- Durability
We then ranked the products and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese melamine sponges available online.
Quick List - Top Japanese Melamine Sponges
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How to Choose a Melamine Sponge- Buying Guide
There are 3 points to think about when choosing a melamine sponge.
Look for a Product That Will Effectively Remove Dirt
These sponges all look basically the same, but performance varies greatly. Read online reviews (like this one!) and remember that price doesn't equate to quality.
Choose the Right Size for the Job
The sponges come in two types: small cubes, and free-cut large sponges.
The small cubes are good for things like removing soap scum on bathroom faucets because they can be manipulated into tight places easily. Big sponges are best for bathroom mirrors and water stains on car windows and such.
We recommend having both types, so you can quickly tackle any cleaning job!
Consider Cost Performance
Most melamine sponges are not expensive, but sometimes you get what you pay for. If it takes more than one cube to get the area clean, you're not saving any money no matter how cheap it was. Read our reviews, and if you bought something that didn't work well, try a different manufacturer next time.
8 Best Japanese Melamine Sponges
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LEC Geki Ochi Poi Poi | | mybest's Top Choice! The Best Melamine Sponge! | |
2 | LEC Kazuya Motegi's Melamine Cleaner | | Perfect for Getting into Corners | |
3 | Ohe New Geki-kun Melamine Sponge | | Recommended for its Affordable Price | |
4 | Azuma Cleaner Eraser Jumbo | | Recommended If You Want to Cut Your Own Size |
LECGeki Ochi Poi Poi
mybest's Top Choice! The Best Melamine Sponge!
We were very impressed with this product! It did a great job of cleaning, removing oil and grime with ease.
This version can be cut to a size that fits your hand easily. This also means you don't waste a large sponge if you don't need it. It's very durable, and held its shape after scrubbing 30 times because it's so dense and firm.
We think it can be used for regular daily cleaning, as well as tough problems. We recommend this without hesitation for any use!
Perfect for Getting into Corners
Endorsed by Kazuya Motegi, a cleaning guru, this is very similar to our top choice. It did a great job removing dirt and passed our test of being used 30 times without losing its shape.
It gets into small spots well, and dirt doesn't get pushed around but is removed thoroughly. It's pre-cut, so you can choose just the right size quickly.
Recommended for its Affordable Price
This firm sponge is very durable and hard. The size is convenient to hold even for a long time. Like our top two, the fact that it's pre-cut makes it easy to use. It can clean thoroughly without breaking apart.
Recommended If You Want to Cut Your Own Size
The packaging is designed to look a typical Japanese pencil eraser, an it did indeed erase dirt and grime. It's not too thick, so it's easy to cut with scissors to any size you want.
But, we found that it didn't hold up under intense scrubbing, and a hole formed. We wanted a more durable product.
How We Tested the Sponges
We put each of the sponges through 3 tests. Then we scored them on a scale from A+ to D.
Test ① Did It Remove Dirt and Scum?
Our editors wrote on a white plastic bath stool using a permanent marker to reproduce the toughest dirt. We checked how many times we had to scrub to remove it, and whether or not the ink was actually spread around and made worse by the sponge.
Although the results differed by manufacturer, dense sponges made by LEC performed well.
Test ② Was it Easy to Use?
As we used the sponges, we checked how it felt. Was it the right size for most jobs? Was it dense enough to transfer our scrubbing force to the item?
We thought the small cube type was the most convenient. If you're in a hurry, choose that kind. If you're short on storage space, the big one that can be cut by hand may be better. A happy medium is the pre-cut type that can be easily separated without a knife or scissors.
Test ③ Did it Hold Up Well?
Finally, we checked how durable each sponge was. Did it hold its shape? Did pieces break off? Even if it works well, if it falls apart easily, you'll have to spend more money.
We found that price didn't relate to durability. The best way to check is to touch the product and see how dense it is. Denser is generally better!
Some Precautions for Using Melamine Sponges
Melamine sponges work so well that you may be tempted to use them for everything. Don't!!!
These sponges should not be used on:
- Finished or coated material such as waxed or lacquered items
- Glossy plastic
- Stainless steel
- Printed materials or painted items
- Wood
Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Never, ever use a melamine sponge on your body!
Some people used to think it was a good idea to use these products to clean your teeth, but it's not at all. Using these on any part of your body is very dangerous. No matter how badly you want that permanent marker to come off your child's hands, this isn't the way to do it!
Top 4 Japanese Melamine Sponges
No. 1: LEC｜Geki Ochi Poi Poi
No. 2: LEC｜Kazuya Motegi's Melamine Cleaner
No. 3: Ohe｜New Geki-kun Melamine Sponge
No. 4: Azuma｜Cleaner Eraser Jumbo
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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