How to Clean a Dry Erase Board

Cleaning a dry erase board is a rather simple process that can be done a number of ways. Simply take your dry erase board eraser and rub it all over the dry erase board. What’s that you say? Your supposedly clean dry erase board is still not clean? Fear not, intrepid cleaner, I can help you there, too. First, spit on the board . . .

Okay, just kidding. Don’t spit on the board, as you won’t accomplish anything other than getting the board slightly wet with your own spit. You would just have to clean that off, too. I would suggest perusing the options below and pick the best one based on what you have on hand.

Methods for Cleaning a Dry Erase Board

1. Clean a dry erase board using a dry erase marker.Here’s what you need: dark-colored dry erase marker, dry erase board eraser, and a dry sponge or absorbent paper towel. Take your black dry erase marker. If you do not have a black dry erase marker, select the darkest color you own. Proceed to color over that which you had previously drawn that will not go away, taking care to cover it in its entirety. Then, use your dry erase board eraser and erase the board. It may take more than one attempt, but it will eventually lift those stubborn old marks. This method also works if you accidentally use permanent marker on your dry erase board.
2. Using hand sanitizer to clean a dry erase board. Here’s what you need: hand sanitizer and an absorbent paper towel. Apply the hand sanitizer directly onto the soiled area. Use the paper towel to spread it so that it covers the entire board. This method cleans up even the residual dry erase marker that you may not even realize is there. Let it stand for 30 seconds or so, and then wipe the board down with the paper towels. Voila! A clean dry erase board.
3. A vinegar and water mixture can clean a dry erase board. Here’s what you need: white vinegar, water, a lint-free cloth, and either a spray bottle or bowl. Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to every 1 cup of water. Put it either in your spray bottle or bowl. Either dampen the cloth from the bowl and wipe down the board, or spray the solution directly onto the board, and use the cloth to spread it around and wipe it down. As soon as you’ve finished cleaning the board, dry it completely. Now you have a clean dry erase board.
4. Cleaning a dry erase board with toothpaste. Here’s what you need: a toothbrush that you won’t use on your teeth again, and a tube of regular (non-whitening), white toothpaste. Apply toothpaste and water to your toothbrush. Proceed to brush your dry erase board. After a good scrubbing, wipe it down with an absorbent paper towel to ensure it is dry. Your clean dry erase board will sparkle. This will also work with permanent marker.
5. The baking soda and water method for cleaning a dry erase board. Here’s what you need: baking soda, water, a bowl, and paper towels. Mix baking soda and water in a small bowl until you have a thick paste. Using a paper towel, dab on a wee bit of your freshly made paste and scrub your dry erase board hard. It is probable that you will only have to do this once. Once you’re done scrubbing, take a wet paper towel and wipe it off. You can let it air dry, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to towel it off, as well.
6. Using baby wipes to clean a dry erase board. Here’s what you need: baby wipes. Rumor has it that baby wipes only work well on wet dry erase boards. This is flat-out untrue. I took my son’s baby wipes to the dry erase board in his room (don’t ask), and the old marks came right up with no problem. Simply take a baby wipe and rub it vigorously over the soiled area. Sing a song, dance in a circle, and throw the baby wipe away to finish the mission.

Only One of Many Solutions for Dry Erase Board Cleaning

There are, in fact, many more tips and tricks you can use to wash a dry erase board. Those mentioned above aren’t any better than any of the others, they are just the ones that struck me as the easiest to make out of household items that you could find in your kitchen or bathroom. Go forth, and may your dry erase board be ever clean and white! That is, of course, between using it to plot evil deeds, or drawing inappropriate images when your roommate isn’t paying attention.

Other Methods for Cleaning Dry Erase Boards

Coffee. No seriously. Dip a paper towel into your morning coffee (prior to adding cream and sugar), and rub that delicious-smelling liquid on your dry erase board. You will need to wash your dry erase board with soap and water after, but the results will be fantastic.

Old dryer sheets. I didn’t believe this one either until I tried it. It takes a fair amount of scrubbing, but it does get results faster than scrubbing ultra-hard with the dry erase board marker.

Lava soap. Make a soapy water mixture. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and scrub your dry erase board. You may have to do this a couple of times for it to be totally effective, but it works just as well as toothpaste. You can get Lava soap from Amazon.