Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (MCME) [https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers] is a handheld, water-activated scrubbing product that reach into surface grooves, lifting away the toughest soils with water alone. It works well with many different types of soils and stains (e.g. scuff marks, dirt, grime on bathroom surfaces) due to its 3D polymeric solid foam structure.
The key drivers of exceptional cleaning performance are, (I) the microscopic structure of the open cell (50 – 100 µm), strut size (5-10 µm), and strut shape (triangular) that act as a microscopic scrapper, (II) the mechanical properties of the struts, (III) the adhesion properties of the material to hydrophobic stain, and (IV) local pressure amplification at the scale of strut diameter thanks to 3D foam as the substrate.
As we continue on the innovation journey with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for consumer delights and product superiority, we seek to explore alternative chemistry (foam or substrate) that can deliver similar or even better performance and be used for additional purposes, e.g., kitchen soils, outdoors, etc..
We are looking for ideas that help improve the cleaning performance and durability of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or expand the functionality to enable cleaning in kitchen or on glass. We would like to be able to tailor the abrasion and absorbency, incorporate cleaning chemistries, and control the release of chemistry during use.
- 3D solid foam e.g. polyurethane (PU), silicon, cellulose, PVA etc.
- Optimized patterned substrate - hybrid substrate combination
- Dissolvable or swellable polymer micro scrapper/needles
- The raw materials should have "generally recognized as safe (GRAS) " chemistries
- The foam/substrate should have equivalent or better cleaning performance on scuff marks and dirt, and cleaning grime off bathroom floors compared to the current Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- The solution should have improved durability compared to current Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. [P&G will help run the performance method]
- The ideal solution would give P&G the ability to balance between absorbency, abrasion, and chemistry inclusion depending on desired consumer experience in different cleaning jobs and soils
- The raw materials would ideally be biodegradable
- Improved degree of freedom to tailor the surface safety i.e., no surface damage
- Improved rinse clean benefit i.e., after cleaning most of the dirt can be rinsed off
- Liquid cleaning solutions
At P&G, innovation is what we do best. We love finding solutions to problems. With the heart of a start-up and the resources of a global corporation, we are always looking for ways to reinvent every aspect of our business. As we innovate, we find inspiration in people - their needs, values, desires, and passions. The people of P&G R&D know that collaboration is key to unlocking visionary thinking. Our experts seamlessly work together with our external partners in the pursuit of the new, the next, the impossible.
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