In childhood, I had a slate blackboard in my room that I would draw and write on for hours. Needless to say I also had chalk stains on all over my clothes, hands and walls. Now I am an adult and blackboards have become a figment of the past to be replaced by the white board. But though the white board is more efficient (the white board weighs a few pounds, while my blackboard weighs seventy) it does little in the way of maintaining cleanliness. As a teacher I use the white board every day and if it is not cleaned, my hands, clothes and my students become covered in a dry erase film that is deceptively hard to clean. So, a well maintained white board is the key to keeping yourself and those around you immaculate.
The Trusty Wet Rag
The easiest way to keep your white board clean is to go over it with a wet towel at the end of the day. A cloth towel is best since the abrasiveness of the material catches the left over ink better than a paper towel. However, if your board has not been cleaned in a while, water alone will leave streaks when it dries, making any new markings on the board hard to see.
Good Ol’ Blue
Windex cures everything, so the myth goes, and if you’re talking about a white board, then the rumor is usually true. For built on film that can not be taken off by a wet towel alone, give it a good spray of the blue stuff and wipe down. Either paper towels or a good washcloth work best.
That’s Not Dry Erase!
Sometimes we mark our board with things that don’t dry erase. Some things you’ll need a chisel for, but for others, such as a regular marker, there is actually a non-conventional remedy: Scrubbing Bubbles. There is something about the foaming action of the Bubbles that helps break up the the ink (kinda like mildew on a sink) so that it can be scrubbed off with a coarse towel. But be warned, sometimes it takes a few tries before it gets it all off.
A dirty dry erase board is difficult to see and, if you’re not careful, will dirty you in the process. Keeping it clean will ensure a smooth clean presentation whether it is a business meeting or a school lesson.