The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Your Whiteboard

 

From classrooms to offices, whiteboards are where ideas take shape. But if not maintained, ink build-up, ghosting, and residue can dull even the best boards. The key to keeping your board looking like new is cleaning it correctly for its material type. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to clean, disinfect, and maintain porcelain, glass, and our GUV whiteboards—so you can keep every surface clear, bright, and ready for your next idea.

 

Material Matters

Not all whiteboards are built the same. The material affects how markers bonds to the surface and how it can erase. Here are a few of the surfaces we offer:

  • Porcelain: Most common in our framed whiteboards, like our M1, Proma Projection and EZ Mobile Whiteboards. This durable porcelain-on-steel surface resists scratching, denting or staining.
  •  
  • Glass: A modern finish for an elevated look, glassboards like our Aria and Harmony Glassboards are preferred  for the smooth, non-porous finish that resists even the toughest stains.
  •  
  • GUV: Featured in our brand new Flyte Duo, this innovative steel magnetic surface is available in gloss and matte for a variety of finishes.
  •  
  • Painted Steel: For our Custom Whiteboards, painted steel offers a premium solution for graphics, bonding permanently to the surface of the board

 

Maintenance is Key

Our whiteboards are designed to last decades with proper maintenance and cleaning. Wiping down the board after every meeting or class can prevent stains from settling, meaning less deep cleaning is necessary. Soft microfiber cloths and soft foam erasers are recommended for daily maintenance. Avoid using paper towels or other abrasive cleaning cloths as they will damage the surface of our board, making them harder to clean over time.

Tip: Always erase when marks are fully dry: trying to clear the board while the ink is wet can lead to smearing rather than cleaning removing the marks.

 

Cleaning by Surface

 
Porcelain:

Porcelain boards are the easiest to maintain in high traffic environments, such as classrooms. Use a whiteboard cleaner to remove any residue from the surface of the board.

Pro Tip: Stubborn old marks can be erased by marking them over with your black erasable marker!

Glassboards:

Glass is naturally non-staining but can show streaks if not maintained properly. Use glass cleaner or an isopropyl alcohol solution for cleaning the surface, wipe clean with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

Pro Tip: For polished glassboards, use a circular cleaning motion to avoid reflection streaks.

GUV:

Our proprietary GUV surface has a durable UV-coated finish that resists staining and scratching. The best solution for cleaning these boards is simply water and a soft microfiber cloth. If further cleaning is necessary, use glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol.

Pro Tip: On the matte surface, use circular motion to lift stains, which may require a little more elbow grease than traditional whiteboards.

 

What Not to Use

Certain products and methods can damage the finish, leave a residue that impacts writability, or cause permanent ghosting. Here is a list of what to avoid when it comes to cleaning your whiteboards:

 

  • - Don’t use your hands to wipe a whiteboard! Your skin carries natural oils that over time will leave a build-up of oil residue on your board. This can eventually ruin the surface of your whiteboard. 
  •  
  • - Stay away from wax or oil-based cleaners. These end up leaving heavy film residues.
  •  
  • - Do not use any abrasive cleaners, or common household cleaners like Comet, toothpaste, etc. These will all physically scratch your whiteboard causing irreversible damage.
  •  
  • - Ammonia-based cleaners are also a no-go for whiteboards specifically, such as common household glass cleaners. This will yellow the whiteboard surface and leave behind a film. 

 

With the right maintenance routine, your whiteboard will keep its surface looking new for years. Always clean based on the material, use proper tools, and avoid harsh chemicals. A little care goes a long way toward keeping your communication clear and your ideas flowing.

For full cleaning and disinfecting instructions specific to your product, check out our Cleaning and Care Guide.

 

Contact our team today