Regular cleaning ensures dry-erase ink doesn’t exist on the whiteboard for too long. It is an essential way to optimize a good writing experience on your whiteboard. For everyday cleaning, a felt whiteboard eraser or microfiber towel is already enough for normal markings. Moreover, a damp cloth would be a great tool for thorough cleaning. However, if you happen to leave some “permanent marks”, here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your whiteboard.
1. Always remember to clean your dry eraser.
A dirty dry eraser could be the origin of all the problems.
You can simply remove marker dust by scraping and tapping.
Then use a soft cloth dampened with clean water to gently wipe the residual dust off the eraser.
If your eraser gets filled with marker ink residue
Find a Garden hose to rinse it or soak it in a mixture of water and cleaner or soap water for a while. Then wash it thoroughly with water. Notice: be careful with the dirty inky-colored water.
Once finishing cleaning, always remember to use the eraser after it has been dry thoroughly.
Notice: please also don’t forget to keep your marker tray clean.
2. Color over with dry-erase markers to remove old stains.
Use a fresh dry-erase marker to write over the residual marks you would like to get rid of, covering them completely.
Wait a few seconds for the ink to dry, then erase it with a dry cloth or eraser. The solvents in markers can help dissolve and remove the stain.
You can repeat this process several times for the best results.
3. Use the correct materials to clean.
- Whiteboard cleaner:
Whiteboard cleaners are specifically formulated for cleaning whiteboard surfaces and can safely and effectively remove marks and stains. It is one of the most common and professional cleaning solutions.
Follow the instructions on the cleaner and apply it to the stained area.
Use a soft cloth to gently scrub the stain, and then wipe it clean with a dry and clean cloth.
-Isopropyl rubbing alcohol:
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is usually suitable for cleaning whiteboard surfaces as it effectively removes stains and residues.
When using alcohol, make sure to dilute it in a sufficient amount of water and gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth. We suggest testing first with a mixture of 30/70 ratio, which means isopropyl alcohol (30%) and cold water (70%).
If you happen to have a microfiber cleaning cloth, that would be the best partner to work with rubbing alcohol. A microfiber cloth is non-abrasive, it won’t damage the whiteboard surface. Additionally, the fibers contribute to gathering the marker ink from the surface.
Notice: be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that the alcohol concentration doesn't damage the surface.
-Water mixed with drops of mild dish soap:
Mixing clean water and a few drops of mild dish soap is one of the easiest methods to clean your whiteboard since these two materials can be commonly found in our daily life.
Dampen a cloth with the mixture and gently scrub the stained area.
Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe away any dish soap residue on the whiteboard.
Drying the surface thoroughly with a dry cloth.
Notice: be sure to use transparent dish soap rather than colored one.
If you are also curious about materials that shouldn’t be used for cleaning whiteboards, please check our blog: Materials Should Avoid Using To Clean A Whiteboard
4. Recap: whiteboard cleaning steps.
Here is a simple conclusion of cleaning steps you can follow:
1. Never forget to clean your eraser. A dirty eraser can be the source of all problems and don’t miss cleaning the marker tray as well if you often put your eraser on it.
2. Prepare the correct tools and materials: You will need a soft cloth (a microfiber cloth is the best choice), water, and the cleaner we mentioned above.
3. First, wipe the stains with an eraser or a clean soft cloth. Wipe gently in a circular motion to avoid smudging the ink.
4 Dampen a clean cloth with the correct mixed cleaner. The cloth should be slightly moist, don’t soak the whole cloth in the liquid.
5. Gently wipe the surface of the board with horizontal or vertical strokes. Avoid being too hard to avoid damaging the surface.
6. After cleaning the entire surface, rinse the cloth with clean water, and then wipe the board again to remove any residue.
7. Dry the board thoroughly with a dry and clean cloth. Make sure no moisture remains on the surface.
8. Always remember that the board should be completely dry before the next use.
If you have any other tips for cleaning dry erase boards, please feel free to share and leave your comments below.