Ghosting is the enemy of every whiteboard owner. Whether you’re using your whiteboard as a communication board in a healthcare facility, a teaching tool in the classroom or in any other setting, ghosting will ultimately decrease the usefulness of your whiteboard, not to mention the effectiveness it has in conveying information. If you want to get the most out of your dry erase board solution, it’s best to prevent ghosting from ruining the surface of your board. 

What is Whiteboard Ghosting? 

Whiteboard ghosting occurs when dry erase marks are left behind and cannot be erased. Normally, most dry erase pen marks can be simply wiped away using a whiteboard eraser, and more stubborn marks can be cleaned away with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner, but ghosted marks cannot be washed off a board easily. This is known as ghosting because you can often see the remnants of old writing on the board no matter how many times the surface is cleaned. 

Whiteboard ghosting can be caused by many factors: 

- Low quality whiteboards and surfaces 

- Using dirty erasers 

- Using the wrong type of whiteboard marker 

- Erasing marks that have not completely dried 

- Heavy whiteboard use 

Is Ghosting Really That Much of an Issue 

A few ghosted marks here and there are not a large issue, but over time and with repeated use the surface will quickly become cluttered and almost unusable. They can also be a risk for HIPAA (faded marks that note former patient’s information can be read by the next patient to occupy the room). There are remedies to clearing away ghosted marks, but it’s time-consuming and labor intensive. Constantly scrubbing and cleaning a low-quality whiteboard surface will also wear it down over time, rendering the whiteboard unusable even without any faded marks. The best way to avoid ghosting is to find a whiteboard surface that is heavily resistant and will last a long time. These types of whiteboards include: 

Glass Whiteboards 

High-quality glass is a great choice for a whiteboard surface because it is naturally resistant to ghosting and faded marks. Glass whiteboards are also easy to clean and resistant to bacteria. This is because glass is a naturally non-porous material, which makes it difficult for bacteria to get inside and breed in small pores on the surface. This makes glass whiteboards a favorite choice of healthcare facilities, hospitals and other locations that value cleanliness. 

Special Surfaces 

Special whiteboard surfaces, like the VividShieldTM coating, help prevent ghosting and stains on classic whiteboard surfaces. If glass doesn’t fit your facility’s design scheme, classic whiteboards from Ghent Healthcare are the ideal choice. Our patented high gloss dry erase coating eliminates ghosting, cleans easily and is guaranteed for life. You can rest assured that your whiteboard surface won’t ghost, will be easy to use and maintain and will stay looking new for years to come. 

Need Help Choosing a Custom Whiteboard Design for Your Facility? Ghent Healthcare is Your One-Stop Shop! Contact Our Team Today.