Why is my dry erase board staining?

The more common reason a whiteboard will ghost or stain is because dry erase marker ink is made of color pigments similar to permanent markers.

How do you keep a whiteboard from staining?

Again, a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water is the best solution to clean a whiteboard, but various other options work just as well. Using a cloth moistened with whiteboard cleaner is enough to keep a board clean if used every week. Warm soapy water, window cleaner, and peroxide also work well.

Why do whiteboards get stained?

Accidental use of permanent markers and pens leaves notes behind that can't be wiped away. Removing dry-erase or wet erase marker right away is easy enough, but if the notes are left on the board too long, even these markers will leave stains.

Why is my dry erase board smearing?

The most common issues we hear about are ghosting (when a light shadow of the writing is left behind after wiping the ink) and smudging when cleaning. Both are caused by the residue build up from the oily solvents in the drywipe marker which hold onto the pigments in the ink.

How do I remove ghosting from my whiteboard?

Dampen a cloth with the alcohol and wipe the board in a circular motion. You may need to repeat a few times to get everything off.

How to Clean a Stained White Board - Dry Erase Marker Removal - Permanent Marker Off Whiteboard

Can dry erase stain?

If you have young children or work in a school, dry erase marker may occasionally stain your clothing. It's fairly easy to remove dry erase marker with the right supplies. You can use Murphy's Oil to remove dry erase marker. You can also use a combination of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol.

Can you ruin a dry erase board?

Yes, Clorox wipes and other cleaning products (such as Windex) have the potential to ruin dry erase boards. This is especially true of melamine boards. While Clorox tends to produce excellent whiteboard cleaning results, it also damages or removes the surface of the board over time.

Does rubbing alcohol damage whiteboards?

To put it simply, alcohol destroys the lubricating layer of your dry erase board. Yes, your whiteboard will look spotless, but after continued use, your whiteboard will eventually lose the ability to wipe clean.

Can dry erase boards go bad?

Some surfaces either grow rough with time and wear, making tiny grooves that are hard to clean completely, or the material reacts with the ink and the ink dissolves it a little and really sets. If the cleaning agents don't work, or fresh marks are also very hard to remove, then it's probably time for a new board.

Does Windex ruin whiteboards?

Windex – Spray Windex on the board and wipe off with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don't use Windex on a melamine-based whiteboard, or it will ruin it.

Is vinegar bad for whiteboards?

Vinegar and water: Opt for this homemade solution of vinegar and water when you want to clean without harsh chemicals. Mix one teaspoon of vinegar with one cup of water. Along with a microfiber cloth to wipe the whiteboard, this is a classic cleaning method.

How do you rejuvenate a whiteboard?

To fix both of these problems, put some isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel, and wipe down the entire board. Switch paper towels as it starts getting dry or as it fills up with stains. Repeat as necessary until the entire whiteboard feels smooth to the touch.

Does hydrogen peroxide clean whiteboards?

Hydrogen Peroxide

To use it for cleaning your whiteboard, pour a few drops onto a clean cloth and swab the board until the markings have gotten cleared. For areas with persistent stains, you can rub a more generous amount of hydrogen peroxide on those spots.

Does hand sanitizer clean whiteboards?

Often full of isopropyl alcohol, hand sanitizer is another approved compound that can be used to clean off whiteboard marker ink. Whether the active ingredient is isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, the nature of hand sanitizer makes it extremely effective when used to clean whiteboards.

Can I use Sharpie on dry erase board?

Sharpie markers contain permanent ink that is not meant for dry-erase boards, which are also known as whiteboards. Due to the fact that Sharpie pens resemble many types of whiteboard pens, using a Sharpie on a whiteboard is an easy mistake to make.

Does Magic eraser ruin whiteboards?

No, a magic eraser will just create more abrasion on the surface. The dry erase marker trick works because of the alcohol inside the marker. Therefore, rubbing alcohol is probably the best bet, however, it will break down the surface of a traditional board over time.

Can you use magic eraser on white board?

I've seen several of you mention using magic erasers as your whiteboard erasers, but didn't try it until this past week. WOW! I got a store brand magic eraser and it's doing a WONDERFUL job on my old marker board!

What not to use on a dry erase board?

DO NOT. Use abrasive erasers, cleaners, sponges or rags. Use a chalkboard eraser.

Does hand sanitizer damage whiteboards?

Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol, similar to isopropyl rubbing alcohol, but they often have other additives such as gels and fragrances. Therefore, hand sanitizers may not be the ideal choice as they can leave residues or cause staining on the whiteboard surface.

Does vinegar remove dry erase?

Vinegar. Many acids work well with dry erase marker stains, and acetic acid is no exception. It is better than removing the black marker with expensive store-bought detergent. Using a cotton swab dipped in vinegar, wipe the marks from the edge to the center, then wash the item.

Will OxiClean remove dry erase marker?

If stain is noticed before laundering, rinse with hot water. Wash in hot water with laundry detergent for about 12 minutes (heavy soil cycle). Soak in a solution of OxiClean or Clorox 2 according to the instructions on the container for one hour.

Can you use Clorox on dry erase?

We needed to follow up with a secondary cleaner for a perfectly pristine surface. Clorox with Bleach: While we liked that you could spray the solution directly onto the whiteboard, it dripped down a lot, so you had to wipe it up right away.

Does WD-40 restore whiteboards?

If you have a can of WD-40, you can spray it on a dry erase board, then wipe it off to clean the whiteboard. Besides cleaning marks from your dry erase board, it revives the finish, making it slick and smooth and prepped for writing. Be careful in applying it, though.