Clean a Whiteboard

Whiteboards are a staple in many workplaces, but their frequent use can mean they are marked up with lines and colors that don’t want to rub off. But it’s easy to get a whiteboard looking like new again, and usually all it requires is a simple cleaning product like soap or alcohol and a clean cloth. As long as you clean your whiteboard frequently, you’ll get years of use from this handy and erasable tool that’s great for notes, presentations, and communication.

Steps

Removing Stubborn Stains and Permanent Marks

  1. Write over the stains with fresh dry erase marker. Pen and permanent marker will leave permanent marks on a whiteboard that can be very difficult to remove. Even dry erase marker that's left on for too long will stain the board. To remove such stains, start by completely writing over the stains with fresh dry erase marker.[1]
  2. Allow the marker to dry. This should only take a few seconds.[2] Then, rub the marks with a cloth or the whiteboard eraser.
    • The idea is that the fresh dry erase ink will help loosen and lift the stains off the board, so that when you wipe away the dry erase ink, the permanent marks will come off as well.
  3. Repeat if necessary. For stubborn stains and permanent marks, repeat the process. Cover the marks again with dry erase ink, allow it to dry, and then rub the board with a cloth or eraser.
  4. Clean and wipe the board. Once you have removed the permanent stains or marks, clean the board to remove any remaining marks. Dampen a cloth with a cleaner and wipe the board vigorously with the damp cloth. Remove any excess cleaner and allow the board to dry. Some of the most popular cleaners for a whiteboard are:[3]
    • Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Acetone or nail polish remover that contains acetone
    • Water mixed with several drops of dish soap.
    • Orange cleaners (such as Goo Gone and Fantastik)
    • Glass cleaner
    • Baby wipes
    • Pam or other spray cooking oils
    • Aftershave
    • Whiteboard cleaning solution like Expo, Solutions MB, or Quartet

Performing Everyday Cleaning

  1. Clean the board every one to two days. Start with a whiteboard eraser, which will remove the majority of fresh marks, as long as they haven’t been there for more than a couple days.[1]
  2. Clean the board thoroughly with a wet solution. Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with your favorite cleaning solution. Be sure you’re in a ventilated area if you are going to use harsh chemicals. Use the cloth to apply cleaning solution to the whiteboard and rub vigorously.[3]
  3. Wipe and dry the board. Once you have successfully removed the marker, rinse out your cloth or sponge with clean water to remove the cleaning solution. Wring out the cloth and wipe the board down with the damp cloth. This will remove excess cleaning solution. Then, dry the board with a clean, dry cloth.


Tips

  • Avoid stains by using markers that are designed for whiteboards. Also, don’t leave marker on the whiteboard for more than a few days.[4]

Warnings

  • Some people recommend cleaners like toothpaste, coffee, or baking soda to clean whiteboards, but these are abrasive and can scratch the surface of the board.[5]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://modeling.asu.edu/listserv/WBCare,Cleaning_02.pdf
  2. ↑ http://moorecoinc.com/care-and-maintenance.php
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://rumkin.com/reference/whiteboard/cleaners.php
  4. ↑ http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-clean-a-white-board
  5. ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-white-board/

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