The week before my daughter started her first day of first grade I purchased a huge dry erase board to jot down daily school-related reminders, homework assignments and attach the litany of schedules that come with having a full-time student.
At the time I was more concerned with getting and keeping important dates and phone numbers on the board, and didn’t think twice about daily maintenance. It wasn’t until about six months after I bought the board that I considered cleaning it, and by then I had more than just a few stains to deal with.
I learned the hard way that the best way to keep a dry erase board in good condition is to clean it regularly. Make a point of wiping ink off your dry erase board with an eraser at the end of each day. Doing so will keep the board from staining and ensure that you have a clean surface to work on the next day.
Another way to avoid permanently staining a dry erase board is to use the right pens. Trying to remove writing and marks made with the wrong kind of marker is a chore you don’t want to undertake. Never use permanent ink or pens designed for use with overhead projectors on dry erase surfaces, as you will stain your board forever. Rather, use pens that are specifically labeled “Dry Erase.”
To clean a dry erase board, use an eraser. For tougher stains spritz cleaning solution on the board and gently wipe the surface. It’s important to avoid using plain tap water on the board to clean it. Instead, used commercial cleaners that are designed specifically for dry erase boards, such as: Expo Whiteboard Cleaner, Quartet Board Wipes Dry Erase Cleaning Wipes, Quartet Marker Board Spray Cleaner for Dry Erase Boards, Quartet Surface Saver Permanent Ink/Dry Erase Cleaner Pad or Sanford White Board Cleaner. For marks that remain after wiping with specially designed cleaning solution, use a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover.