Whether you’re back in the office or still working from home, your workspace is probably home to a whiteboard. Ideal for keeping track of key information and mind-mapping big ideas, these easy-clean surfaces are a mainstay of working life. Unfortunately, they’re not always as “easy-clean” as they’re supposed to be…

Remember the early days, when your brand new whiteboard was – well – white? Take a look at it now. Unless you’re an especially scrupulous scrubber, your board is probably closer to a murky grey, featuring old smudges, stains and the part-removed shadows of scribbles. Over time, we tend to get used to these grubby wall surfaces, failing to notice the state they’ve fallen into. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Your whiteboard can be easily restored to its former glory. Once it’s returned to its original shiny whiteness, you’ll enjoy a brighter, more professional looking workspace, and a surface you may feel more inspired to “get to work” on. Ready to refresh your whiteboard? Try these whiteboard cleaning tips and tricks…

For everyday cleaning…

Keeping on top of everyday “wipe-downs” will help keep your whiteboards pearly white for longer. If you’re clearing an area of board, it’s a good idea to clean it thoroughly before writing over the space. This prevents dry erase marker build-up over time. This might sound like a hassle when you’re in the middle of plotting out a big idea, but it needn’t take more than a couple of seconds for a proper wash.

We recommend getting rid of your board rubber (which rarely does a thorough job and can often spread dirty marks). Instead, order some microfibre cloths, a spray bottle and some rubbing alcohol. Give the area you wish to clean a quick spritz with rubbing alcohol, then wipe the surface down with a microfibre cloth. You’ll achieve a much superior clean immediately.

For long term care…

If your whiteboard has developed a grubby look, we recommend applying WD-40 and using a microfibre cloth to give the surface a deeper clean. In a very thorough trial, Maker Josh found this to be one of the most effective whiteboard cleaning techniques. If you want to keep your whiteboard looking pristine, consider a weekly treatment with WD-40 (perhaps last thing on a Friday), to get rid of any residual marks and grubbiness.

If the worst happens…

If you’ve ever accidentally written on a whiteboard with a permanent marker (or other inappropriate pen), you’ll know that the moment of realisation can be crushing. But don’t wail in despair just yet. There are many techniques that can remove pen from whiteboards…

Firstly, and most importantly, don’t use anything abrasive to get rid of your mishap. This will ruin the surface of your whiteboard. If the mark is relatively fresh, try tracing over it with a black dry erase marker, covering the original marks completely. Next, wipe both layers off with a board rubber. Repeat this step a number of times and the permanent marker may clear away.

If that technique doesn’t work, there are other solutions you can apply to get rid of the permanent marks. Rubbing alcohol – applied with a microfibre cloth – can be effective. You may also wish to try baby wipes or nail polish remover. Be aware that some surfaces can be damaged by powerful cleaners, so always test a small section of the board first, to avoid doing irreparable damage.

We keep workplace surfaces sparkling. With over 40 years’ experience cleaning work premises across South Wales, The Abbey Cleaning Service knows how to maintain pristine, professional spaces. Speak with our skilled team to discuss your company’s commercial cleaning needs today. Get in touch on 029 2067 9323.