16 Ways to Remove Dry Erase Marker from a Dry Erase Board

You can erase old marks from a dry-erase board using many safe, non-abrasive household items. Many simple products in your kitchen pantry and under the bathroom sink can remove the toughest stains. Cleaning your board is simple and doesn't take much elbow grease. With the help of cleaning experts, we explain how to get those tough stains off of your dry-erase board in this article.

Quick Tips for Erasing a Dry Erase Board

Draw over the marks with a dry-erase marker, then erase the board to remove both the old and new marker. Alternatively, use whiteboard cleaner, rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or a mixture of vinegar and water to remove old marks from a dry-erase board.

1

Dry Erase Marker

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Draw over the old marks with a dry-erase marker. Slowly and carefully draw over what you want to erase with a dry-erase marker. A dark-colored marker will work most effectively. You might need to repeat this several times.^{[1]
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- Erase what you've written over as you normally would.
- This will work well to erase permanent marker from the dry-erase board.

2

Whiteboard Cleaner

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Spray 4-6 pumps of whiteboard cleaner onto a microfiber cloth or non-abrasive wipe. Then, rub the cloth or wipe onto any marks in a circular motion to wipe them away. For tougher stains and ghosting, wait a few seconds after the first wipe, then go over them again until they rub away. Once you’re done, use a non-abrasive wet wipe or cloth to clean off your board, then dry it.^{[2]
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3

Rubbing Alcohol

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Try a mix of rubbing alcohol and water. A residential cleaning specialist from Cleanzen says “prepare a mixture that is 50 percent tap water and 50 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Dip a clean cloth in this mixture, and start scrubbing the surface. The phantom remnants of the dry erase marker should disappear.”^{[3]
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Cleanzen Cleaning Services
Residential Cleaning Specialists

Expert Interview}
- After cleaning your board, a cleaning expert from Cleanzen says to “use cold water and another clean cloth to rinse the area after the stain is removed.”^{[4]
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  Cleanzen Cleaning Services
  Residential Cleaning Specialists
  
  Expert Interview}
- You can put rubbing alcohol directly on a paper towel or tissue and rub that on the old marks.
- Many hand sanitizers contain rubbing alcohol. Rub them directly on the old marks and wipe off of the board.
- For tough stains, rub a few drops of isopropyl alcohol around with your finger on the old marks. Use enough alcohol to leave a thin layer. Allow it to sit for a few seconds and then wipe dry.
EXPERT TIP

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
House Cleaning Professional
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
House Cleaning Professional

Michelle Driscoll, a cleaning expert, notes: "Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer can also be used to remove permanent marker from a dry erase board!"

4

Hairspray

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Spray hairspray on the marks. Let the hairspray soak in for a couple of minutes, then wipe it off with a paper towel or cotton rag. Clean off any residual stickiness with soap and water.^{[5]
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- You can also clean off old marks with spray deodorant.
- Hairspray is also useful for removing marker from clothes.

5

Hydrogen Peroxide

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Let the peroxide sit for a second, then wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel. You might need to rub the board again with a clean cloth or paper towel to fully remove the marks.

6

Vinegar

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Mix 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of vinegar into 8 oz. (236.5 mL) of water. Wipe or spray it on the old marks.^{[6]
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7

Acetone

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Use nail polish remover in a pinch. Pour a generous amount of acetone on a sponge or paper towel.^{[7]
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- Acetone is combustible. Dispose of the paper towels responsibly.

8

Baking Soda Paste

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Add a small amount of water to a little bit of baking soda. Rub the paste into the old marks on the board. Thoroughly wipe the paste off with a damp cloth or paper towel. This works well on marks made by permanent marker.^{[9]
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9

WD-40

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Spray 4-6 pumps of WD-40 onto the marks and rub them away in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth or non-abrasive wipe. Not only will this help remove ghosting, but it will also lubricate and condition your board. Be warned, though, WD-40 does leave an odor.^{[10]
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10

Toothpaste

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Rub ordinary white toothpaste onto marks on the board. Toothpaste contains a very mild abrasive and is water-soluble. Simply wipe the board clean when you're done.
- This method will also remove permanent marker marks from most smooth, non-porous surfaces.
- Any brand will work.
- Be careful when using toothpaste. Since it’s an abrasive, it could damage your board if you’re too rough.^{[11]
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11

Muscle Cream

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A muscle cream like Ben-Gay removes permanent marker stains with only a few wipes. Muscle cream is less abrasive than toothpaste, and it contains alcohol, which makes it a great cleaning agent.^{[12]
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12

Shoe Polish

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Buff the polish off with a clean cloth. Shoe polish provides a smooth, like-new surface.^{[13]
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13

Car Wax

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Apply car wax to the marks in circular motions. Wipe the wax off with a clean cloth. This method is very good for removing the most stubborn stains. Car wax conditions the board and leaves the surface like-new. Remove it quickly, though, or else you may find it difficult to use dry-erase markers on your board.^{[14]
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14

Cleaning Powder

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Just pour a little bit on a damp sponge, then scrub it over the dry erase board. Wipe the board with a wet cloth or paper towel when you’re done.

15

Coffee Grounds

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They are mildly abrasive and will remove the marks without damaging your board (as long as you aren’t rough). Clean the board thoroughly after using the grounds. This will prevent the board from turning brownish.

16

Margarine

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Smear margarine on the old marks. You will notice that the margarine will slowly change to the color of the old marks. This shows it is working. Wipe the margarine away with paper towel.
- Be sure to remove all of the margarine so it doesn’t prevent writing on the board.
- If the stain is more than a year old, put some plastic wrap over the margarine and wait 24 hours before wiping the board clean.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you use Windex to clean a dry erase board?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
House Cleaning Professional
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Yes, Windex is safe to use on a dry erase board. However, you want to be sure to only use a soft cloth as you wipe the Windex. Scouring pads, steel wool, or anything abrasive can damage a dry erase board.

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Question

How do you clean a dry erase board eraser?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
House Cleaning Professional
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Dry erasers are easy to clean. You can mix 1 Tbsp of dish soap with 1 quart of very hot water. Let the eraser soak in the hot soapy water for 20-25 minutes and then thoroughly rinse out the eraser under warm water.

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Question

What can I use to "condition" the board after cleaning it? I hear car wax work well, but are there any other methods?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
House Cleaning Professional
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Yes, car wax works well to condition the board. WD-40 also works as a conditioner and lubricant.

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Tips

To clean your dry eraser, dip a soft-bristled brush into a mixture of 0.5L of water and 0.5 TSP (2.5 mL) of liquid dish soap and sweep it over the surface.^{[15]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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Clean your whiteboard with a whiteboard cleaner every 2-3 days to help maintain its peak condition.

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There are three types of whiteboards: melamine, porcelain, and glass.
- Porcelain whiteboards are tough, non-porous, and magnetic.
- Glass whiteboards are durable, easy to clean, and take any type of standard dry-erase marker. They are also ghost- and streak-resistant.
- Melamine whiteboards are common and affordable, but due to their porous material, they wear down the quickest out of the different types of dry erase boards. They are susceptible to streaking and ghosting as the coating breaks down.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Avoid mixing baking soda and vinegar. Not only is it a weak cleaning solution, but it could potentially damage your dry erase board.
Try scrubbing the marks with olive oil. You may still see a hint of the original marker, but only if you're looking for it.
Hand sanitizer is a fast and easy way to remove stains that are multiple years old!

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Warnings

Don’t use Magic Erasers, cloudy ammonia, or other harsh chemicals on your melamine white board. They will remove the sealant that makes the board dry erase.

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Don’t wipe off ink with your hands. Your skin contains oils that stain your white board over time.

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Don’t use permanent markers or rubber erasers on your dry erase board.

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Using a dirty dry eraser on your dry erase board can cause streaking.

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