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December 18, 2009
How to Erase Old Marks off a Dry Erase Board
Have you ever noticed that if you leave a message or drawing on a whiteboard for long enough, it isn’t so erasable anymore? While getting those stains off isn’t as easy as swiping a paper towel, there is a simple way to make your white board white again… Solutions have been listed in order of greatest likelihood for success. Note that there are three types of eraser boards: Everwhite, Melamine, and Porcelain. The primary difference is that one uses dry abrasion for erasure while the other requires a liquid such as alcohol. The following solutions are suggested for use with the type of board requiring a dry erase marker, not liquid.
Try to avoid using any abrasive, since the surface will become microscopically rough and retain that ghost look next time after erasing and become harder to clean next time. Clean it with chemical similar to dry-cleaning fluid (such as hairspray or carpet spot remover), then condition the board for next time by rubbing a thin film of mineral oil (baby oil) over the surface.
Use “Spot Shot” spray cleaner and a “Mr. Clean Eraser” sponge. Together they will not only take the ghost marker off, but any permanent marker accidentally used. Let the “Spot Shot” soak a while first.
Easiest Method
Get a dry erase marker (yes, you make marks to take marks away) and a dry eraser. The darker the color of marker you use, the easier the marks will disappear.
Draw over what you want to erase (make sure you draw slowly to fill it in better). This takes a few times in each spot and so it takes a while and wears out markers.
Erase what you’ve written over as you normally would. Surprise! It erases. This is also a great method when you’ve accidentally used permanent marker instead of dry erase!
Hand Sanitizer Method
Any cheap brand of hand sanitizer (Purrell, Germ X, etc) works great on any dry erase surface.
Hairspray Method
Spray a film of hairspray, let it soak in for a couple of minutes, then clean off with a good paper towel or cotton rag. You can use just plain soap and water to clean any stickiness left over, or better yet use a shampoo & conditioner combo with water to clean the hairspray off and lubricate the board for next time.
Toothpaste Method
The toothpaste method appears to be the leading alternative way for removing dry erase marker. Use ordinary white toothpaste. It contains a very mild abrasive and is water soluble. Plus, it will leave your whiteboard minty fresh! This method will also remove permanent marker marks from most smooth, non-porous surfaces.
Muscle Cream (Ben-Gay)
This is similar to the toothpaste method, and removes permanent marker stains with only a few medium pressure wipes. Its less abrasive than toothpaste, and the alcohol acts as a better cleaning agent.
Lava Soap
Lava Soap used with a damp cotton swab or washcloth works almost as well as toothpaste but requires a second cleaning for total erasure.
Orange Goop
A close runner up to Lava Soap and Cameo is Orange Goop, the hand cleaner sold at automotive stores around the country. Orange Goop contains a mild abrasive and should be used with care. Do a spot test first to make sure you don’t remove the shine.
Cameo Kitchen Cleanser / Bar-keeper’s Friend
Cameo, a gentle powdered cleanser intended for use on stainless steel sinks, contains a very fine abrasive, which will not mark or score surfaces. Bar-keeper’s Friend is a similar non-abrasive cleansing powder product. This worked for me, when Windex, ammonia, Oxy-Clean, and many other methods did not work.
Peroxide
Peroxide easily cleans clogged inkjet heads, which use a similarly permanent ink. It does a fair job of removing dry erase marker.
Oxy Clean
Oxy Clean or any of the generic brands of this cleaner work almost as well as Peroxide. This powder should be made into a paste and then rubbed in a circular motion using a soft cloth. Rinse the residue away with water.
Vinegar & Water
Vinegar and Water is the undisputed champion for removing old dry erase marker.
Ammonia
Ammonia does a great job when used on the correct type of dry erase ink. It does not work on the dry erase board, but rather on the type that uses liquid for erasure. Use extreme caution with this chemical, which can irritate the lungs or other mucous membranes.
Old Dryer Sheets
Use old dryer sheets on older formulations of dry erase markers. The rough surface and the softener left in the sheet are what’s responsible for removing the marks. New dryer sheets will not work.
Car Wax Method
Use ordinary car wax. Simply use the applicator in circular motions and wipe off with a clean cloth. This will remove very stubborn stains and leaves your white board like it was the day you bought it!
Neutral Shoe Polish Method
Apply neutral (no color) shoe polish to clean, and buff with a clean cloth. It works wonderfully and provides a smooth like-new surface.
December 11, 2009
Website Features
Every week we try to post articles that can provide you valuable information. A few of the things we wanted to highlight this week, are the many features on our website, loaded with resources and answers to questions you may have in regards to our Reading Slant Board, vision therapy, stress relief and more.
Our FAQ:
We created this site not just to list the benefits of the Reading Slant Board but mostly to highlight prominent reading, learning and vision disorders that all link back to the basic forms of how someone is viewing information, affects how that information is processed. In our FAQ you’ll find definitions to terms such as “The Harmon Distance” , and even what “20/20 vision” really means.
Once you’ve had the chance to look through our FAQ, take a look in the Resource Library to download articles, fact sheets, reading materials/lists and even term defintions. Each of our articles are composed from immense research, published medical journals, from certafied vision therapists and more.
In addition to providing you with a detailed resource library, we want to show you our product in detail. In our gallery you’ll not only find detailed views of the slantboard, but also images of it in use. Anytime we introduce new accessories or features, we’ll also add images to the Gallery.
We hope that you find valuable answers and information here but at anytime if there is something you would like more help or information on, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We want to hear your testimonials, questions and suggestions in to continue to provide you with quality resources and customer service.
December 5, 2009
Practicing Good Work Habits
One of the things many don’t realize is how much your work habits affect your vision which in turn can affect your stress level, productivity and even physical well being. Whether you are typing up an endless amount of emails, writing a thank you letter or putting together a report, here are some great tips to incorporate into your work day to help prevent eye strain and give your eyes a little break.
Writing with care:
Especially in a rush, whenever jotting down notes or writing a letter, many of us don’t pay attention to how we are writing or the environment we are writing in. Poorly lit areas, awkward surfaces or against a wall, may seem like an okay area to write something down, but remember that actions over time are what add up to negative effects. The next time you are on the phone, rather than holding the phone between your head and shoulder, which over time can strain your neck, try to locate a place to sit and lay down the paper or pad.
Over extended use:
While it may be true that there are not enough hours in the day and we can become insanely busy. Taking time to look away from the computer and looking at something else not only gives your eyes a break, but an also clear your head to allow you to tackle your task with a fresh look. Staring at text for extended periods of time can strain your eyes and make details harder to catch.
Rubbing your eyes:
When eyes begin to get sore or are tired, the first reaction is generally to rub them. Remember that your hands touch a multitude of surfaces and aren’t always clean. Rubbing can also increase redness and swelling. The skin around your eyes is incredibly delicate, so be gentle the next time you reach for them.
Adequate sleep:
Your eyes are generally the first to let you know when it’s time to get some rest. Don’t ignore the signals. No matter what the deadline may be, remember that your health, vision and well being should be top priority.