How to Clean Blackboard Chalk
Blackboards and chalk have a truly symbiotic relationship. One is practically useless without the other. But as in many close relationships, one can rub off on the other, so as to mar utility. Getting your blackboard clean after chalk has been used on it can be a challenge. Dry erasers can get you off to a good start, but often leave a white residue or film. After a while, the film on the board can become so thick that one can barely see what is written in chalk. Happily, there are both homemade and prepared solutions for cleaning chalk from a blackboard.
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Instructions
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Erase chalk from blackboard. You can use a typical eraser to do this. Wiping the board with an eraser usually leaves at least a bit of white residue.
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Wipe down the blackboard with water. Dampen a cloth, and wipe the board thoroughly. You may end up with some white streaks across the board, but residue will be considerably lessened.
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Soak a cloth in lemon oil overnight. You can find lemon oil at your local health food store or online. Sprinkle a few drops on the cloth, place it in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and leave it overnight. The next day, your cloth will be ready to use to clean the board. Wipe the board down thoroughly. Streaking will be minimized.
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Use a solution of vinegar and water. Mix one part vinegar to eight parts water in a bucket, pail or other receptacle. Dip a cloth into the solution, wring out the cloth partially, and wipe down the board. The cloth should be moist, but should not be dripping wet.
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Use packaged blackboard cleaning solution or cloths. You can find packaged solutions and cloths online, and you may be able to find them where you normally buy school supplies. Use the packaged product as directed to clean chalk from your blackboard.
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Tips & Warnings
If you like, you can place the vinegar-water solution in a spray bottle, spray it onto the board, and wipe clean.
If you use a premixed cleaner, follow any label safety directions carefully.
References
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