Whiteboards are one of those tools that a lot of professionals like to use regularly, because they are a great way to connect with colleagues, explore ideas and create overviews. However, we also all know the frustrations when we would like to use a whiteboard, but there is still ‘artwork’ from previous users on there.
In fact, we regularly see horror images of ‘abused’ whiteboards, which is a shame, because whiteboards can have a very long product lifetime if treated well. What can you do to make sure you can enjoy working with your whiteboard today and tomorrow?
First of all, there are some important differences regarding the whiteboard itself, but also the markers and cleaning materials play an important role in keeping your whiteboard in a good shape. Here are three simple steps that you can follow to choose the right whiteboard for your needs and make sure you get the most out of it in the years to come.
Step 1: Choose the right whiteboard
Surface
The most important part of a whiteboard is the surface, because the surface material determines whether the whiteboard is magnetic or not, how scratch-resistant the surface is and if it is suitable for heavy use. The three most common surface types are enamel steel, lacquered steel and melamine, each with its own characteristics. Of course, the board surface that is right for you depends on your specific situation. Are you looking for a whiteboard that is magnetic, scratch-resistant and fit for long-term intensive use? Then you should definitely choose a whiteboard with an enamel surface.
Stability
Next to the surface, there is also the frame and core of the whiteboard that plays an important role for the overall stability of the board. A whiteboard in a busy environment, such as for example a school or a humid production facility, must have extra protection or even be made of a greater thickness, which translates into a stronger board. Always make sure the core of the board is strong enough if you buy a larger board, because the larger the board, the more likely it is that it will bend over time if the core is not strong enough.
Looks
Last but not least, there is of course the looks of the whiteboard. When you have put a lot of effort and money into the design of your office space, you probably want a whiteboard that perfectly blends in while this could be less essential in production facilities. Here, it might be interesting though to have a pre-printed grid or planning on the board. And did you know you can also make large frameless writing surfaces with whiteboard panels or use a whiteboard foil to turn any wall or table into a whiteboard? That offers whole new possibilities to create collaboration spaces in your building - inside and outside the meeting rooms.
Step 2: Select the right markers
The neat thing about whiteboards is that you can use them over and over and over again…well that is if you use the right dry erase (non-permanent) boardmarkers. As a matter of fact, the quality of the accessories that you use together with your whiteboard does matter a lot, certainly when it comes to markers. Non-permanent markers are available in all shades, but be aware that dry-erasing actually implies that you let the ink dry for several seconds before attempting to wipe. If you wipe immediately, you might smudge the ink rather than wipe it away.
How do you select the right boardmarker for you? That is actually really personal, because there are several aspects that all have an impact on your writing and overall experience, especially the color quality, the ink flow and the width of the nib (e.g. chisel, fine and super fine), but also the ergonomics and the smell.
Step 3: Provide cleaning tools & instructions
Keeping a whiteboard in perfect shape is a common challenge in schools and businesses, but that does not have to be the case. First of all, whiteboard surfaces are typically dry-wipeable, which means that you can easily clean them with a whiteboard eraser.
What do we advise in terms of cleaning frequency? Well, you might not like the answer, but we strongly advise to quickly clean the board with a whiteboard eraser after every use and clean it with a board cleaning spray and a (microfiber) cloth preferably once a week, but at least once a month to prevent ghost writing or ink stains. If you do that, you will actually see that the whiteboards will be used more, because it is simply more fun if you can start straight away with a whiteboard that is ready for action.
