Although the magnetic strip works well, it is covered in very fine black dust that cannot be removed. When I first opened the item and picked it up, my hand was covered in black soot. I have washed the strip in soapy water, towel dried and the item still leaves black marks on my hand when I pick it up, albeit a little less than it originally did. This can be seen in the way the item is made and then cut into strips, leaving the edges of the black magnetic innards exposed. That open rim sheds that black soot whether it's been cleaned or not. I wouldn't risk using this next to rugs or rugs.