Chalkboards and whiteboards are, of course, the usual staples in a lot of offices, workplaces, and classrooms. Note, though, that since they are now used so frequently, you can also see them being filled up with markings, stains, and colors that are quite hard to rub off.
If that happens, you may be concerned about how to clean a chalk marker board effectively. You may think that it is not possible to remove all the dirt from your board but there are actually plenty of cleaning methods.
This article will teach you a couple of ways how to clean a whiteboard with marker stains and any other dirt and markings. You will surely love the result since you will see your whiteboard and chalkboard looking like new once again. The fact that the methods here are easy to do also makes them even more worthwhile to try.
Step-by-Step Guide
Method 1: Use White Vinegar
What You Need:
- White vinegar (distilled)
- Soft cotton cloth or chalkboard eraser
- Squeegee
- Measuring cup
- Bucket
- Warm water
Instructions:
Step 1 – Remove the chalk or dirt
With the help of a soft cotton cloth or chalkboard eraser, remove the chalk or any dirt and stain left on the board. Make sure to begin at one side then use and apply long strokes when working across starting from atop and then down. Avoid working in circles to prevent the dirt or chalk from getting redeposited into the surface.
Make it a point to clean the cloth used from time to time, or maybe get a new one to replace it while working. It’s necessary if you are cleaning boards with a huge amount of dirt and stain on the surface.
Step 2 – Make the chalk marker board cleaner
To make your DIY cleaner, get a bucket and add one gallon of water there. Pour one-half cup white vinegar (distilled) into a bucket containing one gallon of water. Make sure that the water is warm enough. If the vinegar you are using is known to be stronger, lessen the amount that you mix into the water to just one-fourth cup.
Step 3 – Wipe down
Get a new and clean cloth then dip it in the DIY cleaning solution. Wring out the cloth so it becomes damp rather than dripping. Begin on top of the board then use smooth and long strokes to wipe it down.
Starting on top is essential so you can also catch any formed drips. Make it a point to rinse the cloth frequently while moving across the board.
Step 4 – Use a squeegee to get rid of any excess solution
If you find any excess cleaner or cleaning solution, remove it with the help of a squeegee. Again, you should start on top and then move the squeegee sideways. Use long horizontal strokes.
Wipe the squeegee’s blade on the other side with a dry and soft cloth before moving back to the point where you started the cleaning. Use a horizontal stroke below the first one. Continue doing the steps up to the time when you have already utilized the squeegee.
If there is excess moisture and drips, make sure to capture them while working with the help of a dry cloth.
Step 5 – Air-dry
The last step in this solution on how to clean a chalk marker board is to allow it to air-dry. Ensure that the board is completely dry before you draw or write on it again.
Method 2: Use Alcohol
What you need:
- Dry and clean cloth
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Clear water
Instructions:
Step 1 – Prepare the dry, clean cloth and the isopropyl alcohol
Moisten the cloth using the alcohol. If you are cleaning up permanent markers on chalkboards, then a wise advice is to put on a lesser amount of alcohol.
Step 2 – Loosen the stain or residue
Make the residue or stain of the marker loose by wiping the chalkboard. Do this using a circular motion – after which, you have to use clear water to rinse it.
Step 3 – Let the board dry
You can completely dry the chalkboard by wiping it with another clean and dry cloth. If there are remaining residues, you should do the steps until everything is removed.
Method 3: Use soda/cola
Cola is also another effective cleansing solution for chalk marker boards. The reason is that it has a sort of acidity capable of picking up remaining dust and stains.
What you need:
- Cola/soda
- Chalkboard eraser
- Clean cloth
- Bowl
Instructions
Step 1 – Use the chalkboard eraser
You will be using it in erasing the chalkboard first. After that, you can get the bowl and then add a cup of cola or soda into it.
Step 2 – Wet the cloth
You should wet the cloth by dipping it in water and then wringing it out to get rid of all excess water. After that, you should dip the cloth into the cola next but ensure that only a slight amount of this drink is added to it.
A wise advice is to only make the cloth appear a bit brown. Avoid wetting the cloth too much that the soda ends up dripping.
Step 3 – Use the cloth to wipe the board
Start wiping the board with the cloth dipped in cola. Dip the cloth again anytime you feel like it needs more cola/soda. After that, you can choose to wipe the board with water.
You may want to do this step if you want to be one hundred percent sure that there is no sticky residue left. With a clean cloth that you should dampen a bit with water, you can do the final wiping of the board.
Additional Tips
- Try using baby oil to clean the board – What you should do is rub some oil into the cloth then use it to wipe down your chalk marker board’s surface. This should help in shifting stains and marks that are quite stubborn.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners – The reason is that these products may end up damaging the finish of the board. These harsh cleaners may also cause damage to the surface, further causing stains in the future when using dry-wipe pens.
- Make it a regular habit to clean the board – To prevent stains and marks from accumulating, it helps to wipe down the board every time you finish using it. In this case, you may also want to use an all-purpose cleaning solution to keep the board clean at least once monthly.
Conclusion
Through the recommended solutions on how to clean a chalk marker board in this article, the entire process will surely become more convenient. You no longer have to worry too much about your chalkboard and whiteboard accumulating too much stains, dirt, and markings, as there are easy ways for you to fix them.