Housekeeping teams are swapping pungent sprays for a small white block and warm water.
Across major hotels, staff report faster turnarounds, fewer fumes and glass that dries without halos. The kit fits in a pocket. The method relies on technique, not elbow grease.
What hotels really use on glass
The tool is a melamine foam sponge, often called a “magic eraser”. It looks harmless. It works like a micro-abrasive. Under a lens, the foam forms a rigid honeycomb that slices through soap scum and limescale deposits. You get a fine sanding effect that leaves the surface clear, not cloudy.
Hot water, a melamine sponge and measured strokes: that’s the hotel playbook for glass that dries clean.
How the material works
Melamine foam hardens as it expands at the factory. Those tiny, hard filaments behave a bit like very fine sandpaper. You activate the sponge with warm water. The water softens residues and reduces drag. The foam then shears off the top layer of deposits without cutting deep into the glass or plastic. The sponge slowly crumbles as it lifts dirt, which is why it looks spent after several bathrooms.
Unlike many sprays, it leaves no perfume and no surfactant film. That matters. Films cause streaks when steam condenses and then dries.
Where it shines
- Shower glass: mineral spots, fingerprints and soap rings.
- Ceramic tiles: haze from body wash and conditioner.
- Chrome taps and shower arms: water marks and light tarnish (use a feather touch).
- Acrylic trays and screens: dried shampoo drips and scuffs.
- Grout edges: grime bands that resist microfibre alone.
The hotel method in three quick passes
Most teams run a simple loop that fits busy housekeeping schedules.
Three steps, eight minutes, under £1 of kit: that’s how hotels beat foggy glass and ghostly streaks.
Does it save money?
On cost and time, melamine foam competes with mainstream bathroom cleaners. The difference shows when you count residue and odour.
| Method | Product cost per clean | Typical time | Odour | Residue risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine sponge + water | £0.05–£0.10 (sponge lasts 8–12 cleans) | ≈ 8 minutes | Neutral | Low |
| Bathroom spray + microfibre | £0.20–£0.35 | ≈ 10–12 minutes (includes dwell time) | Perfumed or chemical | Medium |
| Vinegar solution + cloth | £0.03–£0.08 | ≈ 9–11 minutes | Sharp vinegar smell | Low–medium |
Hotels care about speed between check-outs. A two-minute gain per bathroom stacks up. It also helps guests with scent sensitivities, since rooms air faster when you skip heavy sprays.
Safety and mistakes to avoid
- Test first. The foam is gentle on glass and most plastics, but it can dull soft or glossy coatings.
- Avoid painted walls, non-stick coatings, high-gloss lacquer, delicate car-style finishes and some polished metals.
- Use water only. Mixing with bleach or acidic cleaners adds no benefit and may release fumes when you rinse with hot water.
- Go light. Pressure increases friction and wear. Let the micro-abrasion do the work.
- Rinse well. Lift the slurry of loosened residue before you blade or buff.
- Replace early. A tired sponge scratches more because edges harden as it breaks down.
Why this quiet trend is spreading
Housekeeping managers like predictable results. Teams get a standard finish without juggling different products for glass, tile and plastic. Procurement teams like the maths: bulk melamine blocks cost pennies per room once cut to size. Facilities teams report fewer blocked drains because foam leaves no sticky film to trap hair and grit.
Sustainability policies push the shift as well. Fewer bottles means less packaging and less storage. Staff also handle fewer irritants, which reduces skin flare-ups on long shifts.
If you manage a holiday let or clean for family
Keep two sponges: one marked for glass, one for trays and tiles. Store them dry. Cut a block into palm-sized pieces with a bread knife to stretch costs. For very hard water, prime the job by splashing hot water on the glass first, wait 60 seconds, then start.
Proof it works: what the sponge removes
Bathroom haze rarely comes from one culprit. It builds in layers: minerals from hard water, surfactants from soaps, waxes from conditioners and body oils. Each layer sticks to the last. Melamine foam shaves off that stack without leaving a fresh film to cling to. That is why glass dries clear after the rinse and squeegee.
What about natural stone and metals?
Sealed stone needs care. Use the foam only on stubborn marks and keep strokes short. Rinse at once. On brushed stainless or soft aluminium, test a coin-sized patch first. If you see dulling, switch to a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft pad.
A quick routine you can keep
- After each shower: 30-second squeegee to stop bead marks.
- Once a week: melamine pass on glass and tiles.
- Monthly: deep rinse of tracks, seals and drain grills.
This rhythm stops heavy build-up, so each clean stays short. It also protects silicone seals, which crack when coated in layers of detergent film.
Extra gains you might not expect
Mirror clarity improves because steam carries fewer fragrance oils to deposit on the surface. Extractor fans run quieter for longer as dust sticks less to damp residues. Towels smell fresher because the room dries faster after a neutral clean.
A simple savings example
A family cleaning the shower four times a month spends roughly £0.40 on melamine, plus water. A spray-based routine at £0.25 per use lands near £12 a year. The sponge method comes in near £5–£6. Over five years, you save around £30–£35 and cut plastic bottles from the bin.
If you want to go further
Hard water above 200 mg/L of calcium carbonate deposits fast. Pair the sponge routine with a cheap in-shower squeegee and a weekly hot rinse cycle. If scale still blooms, fit a basic inline shower filter. It costs less than a dinner out and delays the chalky veil that makes glass look tired.
