- For the initial cleaning, wipe your board with a clean cloth
moistened by a liquid cleaner.
- Rinse with clear water. This step is simple but very important.
- Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- If your board is used daily, the cleaning should be performed at
least 2 to 3 times a week.
- More thorough cleaning may be required if writing is left on the
board for more than 2 days.
- Allow marker to dry 8-10 seconds before erasing. If erased while
still damp, it may smear.
What is used to clean the board?
For example: whiteboard cleaners, chemicals, etc. This is important
as chemicals may compromise the whiteboard surface. Ask for name of
cleaning product used. Glass Cleaner works well also.
How often are the boards cleaned?
If the boards receive heavy usage during the day, they may need to
be cleaned during the day to prevent/eliminate issues.
Removing Permanent Marker
- Moisten a clean, dry cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Use less
alcohol for chalkboards.
- Wipe the board in a circular motion to loosen marker residue.
- Rinse with clear water.
- Dry the board with a clean cloth.
- Repeat these steps as often as necessary to remove all powder residue.
Removing Crayon and Tape
- Dampen a clean, dry cloth with water.
- Sprinkle a small amount of powdered cleanser onto the cloth; we
recommend using Bar Keeper's Friend.
- Begin cleaning a small, manageable area using a back and forth
horizontal motion. Use normal pressure as if you were cleaning a
window. Wipe of all residue with a dry cloth.
- Rinse well with clear water. Please note that rinsing and drying
steps are very important.
- Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- Follow the same procedure for the remainder of the board.
If there are erasability / ghosting issues, it is usually due to
the following reasons:
1) Using the incorrect type of marker.
2) Dirty erasers. Need to be washed with liquid soap w/out oil.
3) Wet erasing. Do not use wet erasing.
4) Heavy board usage without cleaning frequently enough.
Using the incorrect type of marker. What types of markers are
used? " Use EXPO ! "
There are three types of markers: alcohol, and water-based.
Alcohol and-based markers are used for use on porcelain steel
surfaces. Water-based markers will bubble and smear in porcelain
steel surface, resulting in buildup.
Flex-A-Chart suggests using Expo Markers
Expo - alcohol based
Expo2 - alcohol based
Sanford - alcohol based
Dixon - alcohol based
Wet Erasing
Was marker ink dry before board was erased?
Wet-erasing, erasing the ink prior to drying, smears the ink on the
whiteboard. Smearing the ink can lead to a buildup on the board
surface. Build up can lead to erasability issues.
Dirty Erasers
Are the erasers/cloth dirty?
Dirty erasers/cloth don not clean the board, they just push the dry
erase material around on the surface- creating erasability issues.
It is important to properly clean erasers and/or cloth before using
to clean whiteboard.
Heavy board usage without cleaning frequently enough
In order to keep your whiteboard in top condition, it is important
to properly clean the board based on usage.
Solutions...
How to restore writing surface
There are 2 options to suggest when addressing the erasability
issues. They are listed in recommended order.
1) Use 50% water / 50% alcohol wash on the board followed by a clear
water rinse. The clear water rinse is the most important part of the
cleaning process. The customer needs to clean the film off the
surface and the clear water rinse brings the surface back to its
original qualities with no chemicals or build up on the surface. If
this doesn't solve problem, suggest next step - Bar Keeper's Friend.
2) Use Bar Keeper's Friend (found at local grocery and hardware
stores). Bar Keepers Friend is the manufacturer recommended cleaner
for the porcelain enameled steel surface.