How to Clean a Whiteboard in the Office: Our Guide

Struggling to get rid of some permanent marker stains but need the office whiteboard clean for your next brainstorm? Find out how to clean a whiteboard in the office.

 

A popular feature in office meeting rooms, whiteboards are pretty useful. While there are lots of digital ways to collaborate and platforms like Miro offering online whiteboards, sometimes there’s just nothing better than the tried-and-trusted classic offline, physical version.

 

But they’re not always the easiest things to clean. The worst case, but very common, scenario is where someone buys a permanent marker by mistake and a colleague uses it on the board.

 

Now the next meeting will struggle to use the whiteboard for their collaboration session. In an even worse case scenario, they’ve written some confidential information on the whiteboard and can’t get it off.

 

In other cases, it’s worth knowing how to clean a whiteboard even after using non-permanent markers, to keep your whiteboard stain-free.

 

In this guide, we explore how to clean a whiteboard but of course, if you’re struggling, it may be worth asking your commercial cleaners to do it for you.

 

Key takeaways: How to clean whiteboards in the office

 

• Use a microfibre, dry cloth to remove everyday marker ink. Spray a solution of 30% isopropyl alcohol and 70% water on the board or onto your cloth, then wipe the surface.

• Before using stronger solutions for stubborn stains or permanent markers, check that these are compatible with your whiteboard.

• Avoid paper towels, since they can scratch and reduce the board’s lifespan.

• Don’t use harsh abrasive pads or gritty cleaners, as these products can damage the board’s surface.

• Avoid using bleach or strong chemicals unless the board’s manufacturer states they are safe.

 

Office whiteboard commercial cleaning caveats

 

In the next section, we’ll share the most common advice around whiteboard cleaning.

 

But as a professional commercial cleaning company, this isn’t necessarily how we would clean your specific whiteboard. That depends on several factors – such as the size, shape and type of your whiteboard.

 

Does your office have dry erase boards? What is the whiteboard surface like?

 

Have you used permanent or standard whiteboard markers? We would take everything into consideration before cleaning a whiteboard, rather than using the same approach every time.

 

We also know that you won’t always want the writing or diagrams on your whiteboard erased as part of a daily office clean. After all, perhaps there’s hours worth of work on there and your team needs it the following day, so we wouldn’t rub it off unless you ask us to!

 

How to clean a whiteboard

 

To effectively and safely clean an office whiteboard while keeping it in top condition, check that the following typical steps are suitable for the type of whiteboard you have:

 

Routine cleaning for whiteboards

 

• Use a microfibre, dry cloth to remove everyday marker ink.
• Spray a solution of 30% isopropyl alcohol and 70% water on the board or onto your cloth, then wipe the surface.
• Apply warm soapy water with dish soap as a gentle alternative.
• Choose commercial whiteboard cleaners if you prefer a ready-made option.

 

Removing stubborn marks

 

• Rub away tough stains with isopropyl alcohol or WD-40 using a microfibre cloth; these options dissolve built-up ink effectively on an ad hoc basis. WD-40 is not a long-term solution as it is oil-based and can attract dust and dirt, leading to further problems.
• Take a melamine “magic whiteboard eraser” sponge for extremely persistent stains, reserving its use for occasional deep cleans as it carries a mild abrasive quality. Check that this is compatible with your whiteboard first though due to this abrasiveness.

 

Dealing with accidental permanent marker

 

• Draw over the permanent marker with a dark dry-erase marker and then immediately wipe both away, which usually removes the unwanted marks.
• Remove any lingering residue with isopropyl alcohol applied directly to your cloth. Then use your damp cloth to rub away the marks.

 

Items to avoid

 

• Avoid paper towels, since they can scratch and reduce the board’s lifespan; stick with microfibre soft cloth.
• Refrain from using harsh abrasive pads or gritty cleaners, as these products can damage the board’s surface.
• Steer clear of bleach or strong chemicals unless the board’s manufacturer states they are safe.

 

Use these approaches to maintain a clean, clear whiteboard in your office.

 

Need to clean your entire office? Read our comprehensive office cleaning checklist.

 

True or false? Whiteboard cleaners

 

Here are some common ‘facts’ about whiteboard cleaning, including details of some homemade whiteboard cleaner solutions:

 

• Regular cleaning with the right agents is essential for maintaining a whiteboard’s effectiveness. True
• Isopropyl alcohol is a common cleaning agent used for whiteboard cleaning. True
• Hand sanitiser can be used to clean whiteboards due to its isopropyl alcohol content. False – hand sanitisers often have other additives such as gels and fragrances that may leave residue behind or cause staining.
• Hairspray is effective for cleaning whiteboards because of its isopropyl alcohol content – False – again, it could leave behind some residue due to its adhesives.
• Using abrasive cleaners can damage whiteboards and should be avoided. True
• Frequent cleaning of whiteboard erasers can prevent stains on the whiteboard. True
• WD-40 can effectively clean and restore the appearance of a whiteboard – occasionally yes, however WD-40 is not a long-term solution as it is oil-based and can attract dust and dirt, leading to further problems
• Toothpaste can be used to remove long-term stains from old whiteboards – perhaps, but we wouldn’t use this on an office whiteboard!
• Cleaning a whiteboard with vinegar mixed with warm water is an effective method. True

 

If trying this yourself, use a mix of vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide for marks that resist standard cleaning methods. Always test your chosen cleaner on a small corner first before putting it on the entire whiteboard.

 

Always be careful when using strong solutions, whether you’re cleaning a whiteboard in the office or anything else. Learn more about safety signs in the workplace.

 

FAQs: How to clean a whiteboard

 

How do I get my whiteboard white again?

 

Wipe the board with a microfibre cloth. Use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water or 70% isopropyl alcohol.

 

Dampen a cloth with the solution and clean the board in sections, using circular motions. For stubborn stains, use a melamine “magic eraser” sparingly.

 

How to get old dry ‘erase marker’ off a white board?

 

Draw over old marks with a fresh dry-erase marker and wipe off with a microfibre cloth.

 

Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. Rinse and dry the area afterwards.

 

Does white vinegar clean a whiteboard?

 

White vinegar cleans whiteboards well when diluted with water – wipe it with a damp cloth first and buff dry. Vinegar is gentle, making it suitable for regular use.

 

Final thoughts: How to clean whiteboards in the office

 

Think FM delivers the #1 commercial cleaning service London businesses trust. That includes daily office cleaning London companies throughout the capital rely on.

 

If you found this guide helpful, please take a look at some of our other blogs – some of our most popular ones include:

 

• Office Etiquette
• Indoor Team Building Activities
• Best Office Pets To Boost Workplace Productivity  

 

We have many accreditations – for instance, we are Safe Contractor approved, Living Wage Employer accredited and we have many ISO certifications.

 

To find out more about how we help businesses with commercial cleaning, please contact us.

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