We all remember our school chalkboard. Although whiteboards have now replaced them, there are still plenty of uses for the classic blackboard, including home decor and office planning. To this day, many schools and offices still use them for writing down ideas and instructions. But did you know that if you clean them the wrong way, you can ruin the surface?

Here are some useful tips on how to get rid of chalk dust without damaging your blackboard.

What makes a chalkboard so special?

While a chalkboard has many uses, it is particularly useful in the classroom. Before there were iPads, laptops, and interactive whiteboards, teachers were forced to make do with the tools at their disposal.

These days, however, they are back in style, mostly thanks to the establishment of restaurants looking for a quaint atmosphere or event organizers looking for a unique approach to marketing.

Blackboards let you doodle and sketch out ideas, make lists or write memos. Few things can’t be improved with creative scribbling, and the benefits of using this classic medium are endless.

Most importantly, blackboards let your creativity flow freely and help you solve problems creatively, all while taking notes during lectures. This medium is perfect for brainstorming sessions or for staying organized with reminders and lists.

How to clean your chalkboard with home-based ingredients.

When your chalkboard is dirty, you might be tempted to clean it with any product you can get your hands on. However, cleaning chalkboards is a delicate task that requires careful consideration of all the elements involved in its maintenance.

The following guide will help keep your board is in good condition for years to come.

Cleaning a chalkboard with lemon oil

Use citrus oils to clean your chalkboard! Lemon oil in particular is the best agent you can use because it removes chalk dust without leaving visible residue. You can cheaply and effectively keep it clean and smooth for years to come.

Lemon oil is extracted from the rind of a lemon. A little bit of this oil goes a long way, making it an effective but gentle cleaner for wooden surfaces. It’s also one of your best bets against mold formation, as well as effectively removing bacteria on harder-to-reach places like the back of your fridge.

Lemon oil is also antibacterial and antimicrobial. In short, it is a double threat against bacteria and germs.

You will need the following:

• Lemon Oil
• Dry Cloth

1. To clean, you will need two teaspoons of lemon oil and dry cloth. Mix the two together with a spoon. After the mixture is done properly, fold the cloth in half. Dip the cloth in the mixture, and wipe it on your surface. Lemon oil will add shine to your chalkboard.
2. Every day, take out a fresh cloth from the plastic bag and wipe off your blackboard. By putting two cloths in the bag, you’ll have a clean one to use every day. This way, you won’t have to spend time washing them each night or morning.

Cleaning a chalkboard with water and vinegar

Second, on our list is water and white vinegar. Mixing these two household staples together creates a powerful cleaning solution that can get rid of any chalk dust or residue that might be left behind, creating an ideal finish for the next user.

You will need the following:

• Water
• White Vinegar
• Bucket or Tub
• Rag or Cloth

1. To clean chalkboards, add 4 cups of water and half a cup of vinegar to four cups of warm water in a bucket or tub. Place a lint-free rag into the bucket and wipe the chalkboard down. After wiping it with the rag, squeeze out the cloth so it’s not dripping wet and finish wiping the chalkboard.
2. When you are finished cleaning, it’s best to let the chalkboard air dry. Sometimes, using only water is enough to wipe down the board. Vinegar adds an extra cleaning boost to your work.

Cleaning a chalkboard with Soda

We all know Coca-Cola is a soda, but did you know it can also be a multipurpose cleaning product? If you run into trouble with your blackboard’s surface, try cleaning it with a mixture of Coca-Cola and water. The carbonic acid in the soda can strip away grime from your blackboard, leaving only a glossy surface behind.

You will need the following:

• Any Dark Soda
• Bowl or Tub
• Rag or Cloth

1. First, pour a half cup of soda into a bowl. Take a damp cloth, and dip it into the bowl, getting some of the soda on the cloth. The brand of soda doesn’t matter — Pepsi, Coke, or even diet soda should work well.
2. Next, take the cloth that’s covered in Coke and wipe it on the chalkboard. The cloth can be reused over and over again, and according to the reports, it does not leave any chalk residue on the board or on hands.
3. The chalkboard probably won’t get sticky unless you put too much chalk on the cloth. Use a dab of chalk on the cloth to wet it. You want just enough chalk on the cloth to make it wet, but not so much that it’s dripping off. The soda in Coke may actually help the chalk stick better to the board.

Regular cleaning tips for your chalkboard/blackboard.

You can reduce chalkboard dust build-up by erasing the board after every use. Doing so will prevent a significant amount of chalk residue from building up. By extending its lifetime, you can save money on repainting costs and time spent cleaning your chalkboard. Even better, it’ll help you avoid that blackboard look that often comes from chalk dust build-up.

In short, one of the best ways to clean chalkboard surfaces is by using water. The downside of this method is that water can leave behind spots or streaks, making your board look dirty or damaged.

To avoid this problem, wipe down the board with a squeegee once you’re done cleaning it. This will help to remove any excess moisture, preventing potential stains.

Lastly, when you’re ready to dry your chalkboard, hold off on using it. Writing on a wet chalkboard will build up residue that’s hard to peel off. When it comes time to use your chalkboard, come back to this guide for tips on how to keep it shiny and new for years to come!