Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Remove office ink or highlighter marks
• Method 2 of 2: Keep the whiteboard clean
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

If someone has written on your whiteboard with a permanent marker or ballpoint pen, there are several ways you can try to remove the dirt. Fortunately, most inks can be removed with household cleaners or products sold at any pharmacy.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Remove office ink or highlighter marks

1. 1 Circle the writing with an erasable marker. Choose a black marker, or the darkest one you have. Completely paint over ink marks with erasable marker. It contains a solvent that will dissolve the ink. Let it dry for a few seconds and then dry with a paper towel or clean board sponge.
   • If the sponge or board is not very clean on its own, it may stain. They can be removed using any of the methods described below.
   • These steps can be repeated several times until the ink stains are completely removed. If, after two attempts, you don't see any results, try one of the following methods.
2. 2 If the first method doesn't work, try rubbing off the ink with rubbing alcohol. Most inks contain alcohol, which gives them a liquid consistency. Fill a spray bottle with 70% isopropyl or 100% ethyl alcohol, or dampen a piece of cloth. Place the board in a well-ventilated area and dampen the ink with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the surface with a dry, clean, non-abrasive cloth in a circular motion to dissolve the ink. Dry the board first with a damp paper towel and then with a dry paper towel.
   • Warning: Pure alcohol is highly flammable. Perform this work away from open sources of fire.
   • Many household cleaning products contain alcohol, so they are all suitable for this purpose. If you don't have pure alcohol, use hand sanitizer, aftershave, or perfume. Do not use products that stick to your hands or contain dyes.
3. 3 If stains persist, use acetone or nail polish thinner. If none of the previous methods worked, use acetone or nail polish thinner. It is a hazardous chemical that gives off flammable fumes, so handle it in a well-ventilated area. Apply some substance to a piece of cloth, wipe the board, then rinse with water and wipe dry. Acetone can damage a varnished board or wood frame, but it is one of the most effective stain removers.
   • If acetone gets in your eyes, rinse immediately with a gentle pressure of warm water for 15 minutes. Keep your eyes open while doing this. If you wear contact lenses, do not interrupt the rinsing process to remove them.
   • If acetone gets on your skin, soak the affected area under running water for 5 minutes. Skin contact is not so dangerous. In the worst case, it will cause a little annoyance.
4. 4 If necessary, purchase a special whiteboard cleaning solution. Some of them are not cheap, although they cope with this task a little more effectively than alcohol. If you are unable to remove ink using the above methods, buy a quality whiteboard spray.
5. 5 Don't trust questionable advice. Sometimes people report the efficacy of abrasives such as baking soda, toothpaste, or harsh chemicals. While all of these products can actually remove ink stains, they will permanently damage the surface of the board and make it even more difficult to clean.Many household ammonia-based cleaners, such as glass cleaning sprays, are suitable for daily cleaning of the board, but they are unlikely to handle tough stains.
   • While soapy water or table vinegar will help remove small stains, they are unlikely to do better than a regular washable marker.

Method 2 of 2: Keep the whiteboard clean

1. 1 Let the erasable marker dry before wiping it off the board. A simple erasable marker dries up in 2-3 seconds, but it is better to wait 8-10 seconds. Wiping it off before it is completely dry may leave dirty streaks on the board.
   • Poor quality markers are particularly difficult to wipe off the whiteboard. If you use these markers, you will need to clean your board more often.
2. 2 Wipe down your board after each use. If you use your whiteboard extensively every day, wipe it down thoroughly at the end of the day to prevent dirt from accumulating on it. If you need to leave writing on the board for several days, rewrite it on a different part of the board and erase the old one.
3. 3 Wash your board regularly. If you use a whiteboard frequently, wash it 2-3 times a week, and whenever you notice any dirty spots on it. To do this, use a soft sponge or a piece of cloth lightly dampened with soapy water. Wash off the soap with a damp, clean sponge or cloth, and then wipe the board dry. You can dab a little glass cleaner or a special board cleaner on the board and wipe it off with a dry cloth or paper towel.
4. 4 Clean the whiteboard sponge every month. If the paint from the markers builds up on the sponge, it will not do its job well. Felt sponges are the most durable. They can be easily cleaned with a knife. Simply scrape the dirty surface of the sponge with a blade. Other types of sponges use wet cleaning pads that tear easily as they get dirty. A microfiber cloth is also suitable for this purpose. Plus, it can be washed in the washing machine or by hand.

Tips

• If the ballpoint pen has scratched the board, you may find it more difficult to remove the ink and later erase the marker marks there.

Warnings

• Unlike permanent markers or felt-tip pens, ballpoint pens, with their sharp tips, can scratch the board, making it harder to clean.

What do you need

• Spray bottle (optional)
• Paper towels or clean cloth scraps
• One or more of the following:
• Erasable marker
• Alcohol, hand sanitizer, aftershave, or perfume
• Acetone or nail polish thinner
• High quality whiteboard cleaner.