How to Clean Old Chalkboards

Use plain water and vinegar for periodic cleaning of dusty chalkboards.

Chalkboards, or blackboards, are used for daily menu items in restaurants, in homes and of course in classrooms. The finish of an old chalkboard is irregular and porous so as to hold the chalk when it is written upon. However, this very property traps a great deal of chalk dust that erasers cannot remove. Because of this, periodic thorough cleaning of old chalkboards is necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Erasers
• Towels
• Water
• White vinegar
• Bucket
• Soft cloths

Instructions

1. Clean the erasers by clapping them outside and wiping them on clean towels. Erase the entire chalkboard to remove as much chalk dust as possible. Change to a clean eraser often.

2. Fill a bucket half full of warm water. Add a half cup of white vinegar. Soak a clean soft cloth in the water solution and wring out as much water as you can so that it does not drip.

3. Begin at the top of the chalkboard and wipe across the entire board in a horizontal swipe. Turn and fold the cloth so that you are using a clean area often and rinse the cloth in the bucket of water solution as needed. When the water in the bucket gets too dirty, pour it out, rinse the bucket and put fresh water and vinegar in it.

4. Wipe another horizontal swipe across the board just below the first one. Remember to use a clean area of the cloth often. Continue wiping in horizontal stripes, working your way to the bottom of the board. Do not use a vertical or circular motion because that will trap more chalk dust in the ridges of the chalkboard.

5. Repeat the entire process if there is any chalk dust remaining on the chalkboard when you are finished. Afterward, wipe the chalkboard again with a dry soft cloth and let the chalkboard air dry before using it.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe the chalk tray clean before you start. Wipe it again each time you finish going over the entire chalkboard with the wet cloth.

• Some people use a squeegee for cleaning windows to clean chalkboards. Instead of using a wet cloth, use a squeegee to apply the water solution in a horizontal swipe with the sponge side of the squeegee then remove it with the rubber side.

• Teaching supply centers sell chalkboard cleaning cloths that are reusable and are quite effective.

• Badly worn chalkboards can be restored with a coat of chalkboard paint sold at home improvement centers and hardware stores.

• Clean a chalkboard in this way only about once a month or less. Overexposure to water can damage the board.