How to Clean a Dry Erase Board and Make It Look Brand New

Blackboards have been an essential part of classrooms for decades. These boards have made it easier for teachers to explain lessons to students. Writing on the blackboard in front of your classmates was an exciting experience. It was also terrifying. But blackboards also mean chalk powder on your hands and clothes. Inhaling chalk dust was no fun either.

Nowadays blackboards have given way to dry-erase boards. These white and shiny boards are now seen in schools, offices, and even stores. They’re handy and great for writing down messages. Whiteboards have also made it easier for us to jot down or sketch an idea. Best of all, you won’t end up with chalk on your hands.

The downside to it is the staining that comes after heavy use. Sometimes you can even see faint images of things you wrote and have erased. What do you do when the eraser doesn’t do the trick anymore? Many independent cleaning services have a trick or two they use to deal with dry-erase boards. We’re going to discover that today.

How to Clean a Dry Erase Board in 5 Simple Steps

· Figure Out What It’s Made Of

Your first order of business is to determine what the whiteboard or dry-erase board is now made of. These boards are often made of glass, melamine, or porcelain. Most dry boards use melamine. The material is easy to manufacture and affordable.

You need to know what material you’ll be working with to know what product to use. The cleaning process for all types of whiteboards is almost the same. But some chemicals will cause a bad reaction to porcelain or melamine.

· Draw Over the Stain

There are times when something you wrote is hard to erase. It could be that you used a permanent marker. It could also be an old whiteboard that’s become used thousands of times. The good news is you can still remove these stubborn writings.

The best way to do so is to get a fresh marker. Double-check that it’s a dry-erase one. You then write over the area with the stain. Give it time to dry. A quick swipe of the dry board eraser will do the trick. Are stains still there? No worries! Repeat the procedure until you remove the stain.

A word of caution though. Dry erase boards made of melamine are prone to this problem. Constant use will result in ghosting. It’s what these faint outlines are often referred to. You might have to accept that the stain is permanent.

· Work Over the Board with a Cloth

Give the entire board a proper cleaning once the stains are now removed. You can use a special whiteboard cleaner for the job. You won’t have a problem finding this in the big online shopping malls. Cleaners for hire often use the various products found in any home or office.

Rubbing alcohol is a popular cleaning solution for dry-erase boards. You can also use nail polish remover or vinegar. Windex is also a good option. These products are all safe to use for whiteboards.

You need a damp rag or any clean cloth for this step. You can spray the cleaning solution on the board and wipe it down with a cloth. You can also dampen the rag with the solution and then rub it on the board’s surface. Rinse the material with cold water. Give the board another wipe-down to rinse off the cleanser.

· Wipe It Everyday

The best way to keep your dry-erase board looking good is to clean it every day. Make sure you erase all the markings once you’re done. Leaving messages or marks on the board for days will leave stains. Check that the stains are 100% dry before erasing them. This will help prevent ghosting.

You don’t have to clean your whiteboard deep every day. You can use a felt eraser to erase any markings and clean the board. You can also use a damp cloth if you want a more thorough cleaning. Dry it with another clean cloth afterward.

· Be Mindful of Your Cleaners

Dry erase boards are pretty easy to maintain. Especially, with the right cleaning product. The opposite is true though. The wrong cleaner can damage your dry board. It’s why you should never use abrasive cleaners. Toothpaste and baking soda can be abrasive. Wax-based cleaners are also a no-no. These leave a thin layer of film on the board’s surface. It will make writing and erasing the marks harder.

Do you have a habit of using your hand to erase what you wrote? It might seem like a faster solution than looking for the eraser. But your skin’s oil will transfer to the board. It can penetrate the melamine and damage it after some time.

Tips to Keep Your Dry Erase Board Looking New

Regular maintenance is essential in cleaning. This also includes whiteboards and dry-erase boards. You should also keep in mind the following tips:

• Don’t forget to clean the eraser too. People often focus on cleaning the whiteboard; they neglect the eraser. A dirty felt eraser isn’t effective as it can’t hold onto the ink.
• A microfiber cloth is good for cleaning whiteboards. It’s soft and not abrasive.
• Never slide magnets across the surface of the whiteboard. It might leave tiny scratches. Ink can get in and be harder to erase.
• Clean the board every time you use it.
• Avoid putting tape or stickers on the board’s surface. You should also be careful when removing them. You don’t want them to leave a residue as it will gather dirt.

Keeping Everything Clean

Whether it’s an office, school, or home, no job is too big or too small for Clean My Space CT. Our company is one of the best independent house cleaners in the Connecticut area. Our decade in the business has honed our skills and given us extensive experience. Our services include residential and commercial cleaning. We also offer move in/move out cleaning and disinfection services. Give us a buzz at (860) 539-8725. You can also email us at info@cleanmyspacect.com if you need a quote.