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    Home » Home Inspiration

    How to Remove Chalk Marker & Clean a Chalkboard

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jul 29, 2019 · Updated: Dec 30, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    woman cleaning a chalkboard

    How to remove chalk marker off of a chalkboard: After trying SO many different things, this is what finally worked! (It only takes two things!)

    I’ve been doing some testing over the last few months trying to find out how to clean my chalkboard. As you know, I love to decorate my chalkboard for each holiday or season that is approaching.

    How to clean a chalkboard: my Christmas chalkboard art

     

    How to Remove Chalk Marker

    With this, has come a “pain in the rear,” process, of trying to figure out how to remove chalk marker from a chalkboard.

    I don’t get it. I have 2 or 3 other chalkboards, and the chalk marker simply wipes off, with a wet rag.

    But with the chalkboard in my entry, from Restoration Hardware??? Forget it. I thought I was going to have to send it back, and get a plan B in place for my entry wall, because I was struggling with getting the “ghost,” shadow of a chalk marker off of the board.

    That was until I FINALLY came up with a technique that works for me, and NOW so many others!


    Check out the comments at the bottom of this post for success stories! Yay!

    You don’t want to miss how to make your own DIY Chalkboard frame too!

    How To Remove Chalk Marker from a Chalkboard https://fantabulosity.com

    How to Clean Your Chalkboard

    I am, in by NO means, saying that this will work for you. I am not responsible for anything that happens to your chalkboard.

    Actually, I recommend reading the instructions on how to clean your chalkboard that came with it, before you even touch it with a chalk pen or marker. Some say you have to “treat,” them before applying anything.

    I, however… did not read my instructions, and I feel that’s where I messed up. If I had treated it, I may not have the problem of the markers leaving a ghost shadow.

    How to Remove Chalk Marker from a Chalkboard

    After trying soap and water, Clorox wipes, all-purpose cleaner, vinegar, a magic eraser…and let the list go on… I couldn’t find anything that would work.

    Finally, I was so fed up, that I just started experimenting.

    I decided I didn’t care if it messed up my chalkboard, I was going to try anything to get that chalk dust shadow off of my board, no matter what it did to it.

    Which led me to this:

    How to Remove Chalk Marker from Chalkboard https://fantabulosity.com

    Magic Eraser + Vinegar

    That folks, is a magic eraser, AND some vinegar. I combined the two for some serious chalk marker removin’ solution.

    Yes… this is me scrubbing away below. Now… this is important. I DO have to put a little muscle behind the scrubbing. It doesn’t just pleasantly wipe off.

    So your arms may get a workout, but honestly, I think that’s just a bonus. No need to do my arm workout that day.

    (Who am I kidding? I don’t work out)

    How to Remove Chalk Marker https://fantabulosity.com

    So I just use the magic eraser and rub up and down, and in a circle, in a small area first. When that chalk spot is gone, I move on to the next area!

    Another Helpful Tip for Cleaning Your Chalkboard:

    Keep a dry rag or towel, nearby, so you can wipe off the “wetness,” after every few scrubs, so you can lower the risk of just letting chalk-smear dry.

    (Also, I tend to have some “black,” come off on my magic eraser when I do this. I’m wondering if that’s a normal thing, or if that was part of that, “I should have pre-treated this thing first,” deal.)

    My little guy is so helpful below. I’m sure you other moms can appreciate not being able to do anything alone. 🙂

    A Mommy is Never Alone https://fantabulosity.com

    Did this Clean Your Chalkboard?

    So there you have it! I really hope this helps ease your frustration with trying to get chalk marker off of your chalkboard. Talk about making a DIY gal go CRAZY!

    Join all of the others and let me know below… did this work for you? I’d love to know! Make sure to check out more of my favorite cleaning tips and tricks!

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    Or if you LOVE browsing homes in your downtime, you can take a tour of our home, (inside and out) starting with part 1 of our home tour.!

    How to erase chalk marker off of chalk board

    “Pin” this image, so you can always come back to it if you run into the same problem I did!

    How To Remove Chalk Marker off of a chalkboard! Those shadows drive me nuts! https://fantabulosity.com

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    1. Colleen Lockard says

      October 19, 2024 at 11:28 am

      Run, don’t walk, to use this trick to remove your stubborn liquid chalk marker from your chalkboard. It IS a good arm workout and I may not be able to use my index finger for a week!! With or without the vinegar this advice saved the day for me and my magnetic chalkboard!! I can’t thank you enough!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        October 20, 2024 at 2:12 pm

        Yay!!! This. makes me so happy Colleen! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so glad it worked for you too!

        Reply
    2. TrishaKP says

      January 08, 2024 at 9:09 am

      It works! I just cleaned off my Christmas design on which I used white and gold liquid chalk (that gold was tough!). My poor old board handled it well, but stopped short of pristine because of its age. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 09, 2024 at 12:02 pm

        So happy that this method of cleaning the chalkboard worked for you too!

        Reply
    3. Jessica says

      August 27, 2023 at 12:02 pm

      I used a chalkboard marker on my back to school sign and couldn’t get it off no matter what I did. I was prepared to buy a new board, but this was my one last try. It worked wonderfully. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 27, 2023 at 12:47 pm

        I’m so glad that this worked for cleaning your chalkboard too! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Carol says

      August 06, 2023 at 9:08 am

      I tried several different products but my chalk paint wouldn’t budge . So I gave your vinagar and magic eraser to it and it came off nicely . We had to go over it a couple of times but it looks awesome . Thank you

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 06, 2023 at 9:15 am

        Yay! You’re so welcome, and I’m so glad this helped remove the chalk marker from your board!

        Reply
    5. Jan Taylor says

      July 12, 2023 at 3:13 pm

      It works

      Reply
    6. Werdy says

      April 18, 2023 at 6:23 pm

      What works better than a magic eraser is a microfiber cloth and plain old water! I have a chalk board wall in my bar area, I use creamy chalk markers for the colors, like gold silver and deep black. I had to repaint my wall trying to remove it, until I found this true magic formula!

      Reply
    7. Jan Brady says

      January 08, 2023 at 6:13 pm

      This worked perfectly. I bought an old chalkboard for 2.99 at a thrift shop hoping to use it for Girl Scouts. I thought it was ruined and would have to be repainted. But, for that price, what did I have to loose? But first, I needed to clean it. It was covered (including the wood) in chalk, chalk marker and sharpie. I used goo gone, then alcohol, vodka and 50/50 vinegar and water (both good for clothing stains). I used it all. Mah. Just ok. Cleaner, but still needs repainted. Then, I read your blog and used the magic e and w/v combo. 😱 OMG! The chalkboard looks brand new!! Then I used the magic e and alcohol on the sharpie leftover and it did the trick. It took me from thinking I would have to repaint it to entirely clean and beautiful in 10 mins. You just saved me hours of work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 09, 2023 at 12:44 pm

        Ahhh!! I’m so glad that you tried this for cleaning your chalkboard Jan! Thank you so much for taking the time to share what you used and that this worked!! It means a lot!

        Reply
    8. Steph says

      September 19, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      I have chalkboard labels I couldn’t get clean. Magic eraser without the vinegar worked for me. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 19, 2021 at 8:11 pm

        That’s perfect! So glad this worked for you! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    9. Laura says

      August 30, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      That was amazing!!!! Been trying to get chalk pen/marker off for years and vinegar and magic erase took it right off!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 31, 2021 at 8:04 am

        This is so great to hear! I’m so glad it worked to remove the chalk pen for you! Thank YOU for coming back to share that it did!

        Reply
    10. Gwen says

      May 22, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      It worked for me! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        May 23, 2021 at 3:56 pm

        Woo hoo! I’m so glad a magic eraser and vinegar worked for you too! Thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    11. Miss Chris says

      April 27, 2021 at 11:27 pm

      Didn’t work for me. I have some small mini-chalkboards with wooden stands that you can place in front of certain foods to identify them at a party. The vinegar and magic eraser definitely took some of the chalk off but not all. I’m considering just throwing them away.
      =(

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 28, 2021 at 1:48 pm

        Hi there! Thank you so much for letting us know! Before throwing them out, have you thought about trying dish detergent or even alcohol or hydrogen peroxide?

        Reply
    12. Amie says

      November 12, 2020 at 9:16 am

      gonna give this a try. But my question is, next time I paint a chalkboard what should i treat it with first? you mentioned that you should have treated it first in your blog…Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 13, 2020 at 9:55 am

        Hi Amie! The chalkboard I had, had its own instructions for treating it. (I don’t remember what they were.) But sometimes a chalkboard will come with its own directions. I hope that helps!

        Reply
    13. Felicia Freeman says

      September 29, 2020 at 6:20 am

      Good Morning! I was just about to give up on my little chalkboard easels I use for digital learning each day. I agree that the magic eraser did a great job on its own. No vinegar needed. I pulled out my Ms. Meyer’s Vinegar Cleaning Gel just in case. I purchased these magic erasers eons ago because they were on sale, but never used them.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 29, 2020 at 11:04 am

        Oh that’s great to hear Felicia! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply
    14. Emily says

      September 11, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      I hadn’t even thought to try a magic eraser and it worked without the vinegar on my little kid months/favorites board. Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 14, 2020 at 10:38 am

        Oh good!! That’s great to know too, thank you! So happy it worked for you!

        Reply
    15. India says

      August 17, 2020 at 9:46 pm

      Just chunked a board last week that I used for an open house and wanted to change up the wording but couldn’t get it erased. My daughter starts 2nd grade next Monday and I pulled out our custom made board we did last year…you can just fill in the blanks every year. Of course, it still had all the writing on it. I decided to google just in case…thank goodness I came across your site. I am so HAPPY!!! THANK YOU!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        August 19, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        Oh good!! I’m so glad it worked for you and saved your board!

        Reply
    16. Randi says

      July 22, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      You are a lifesaver. That was very helpful and saved a sign for me too. Thanks a bunch!!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 26, 2020 at 4:53 pm

        Oh good!! I’m so glad it worked for you too!!

        Reply
    17. Don says

      June 15, 2020 at 10:02 am

      Just fyi, magic erasers whilst fabulous for cleaning are basically extremely fine sandpaper which is why you would be seeing the black grit from your chalkboard on the sponge after application/cleaning. Especially if you still need to rub vigorously, just expect that you will probably need to repaint your chalk board down the track as the abrasiveness (albeit very gentle) of the sponge will eventually erode the blackboard paint after x amount of cleanings.

      Reply
    18. ben says

      April 09, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Will the vinegar and everything pad work on a chalkboard painted wall? I have a chalk board wall and some of the chalk comes of with soap, water and rag or everything pad but a bunch won’t. the last guy just painted over it all. but i’m trying to find a somewhat easier way.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        April 10, 2020 at 5:56 am

        Hi Ben! You know, I’m not sure if it will work on the chalkboard paint. I haven’t tried that, I’m sorry! If you do give it a try, I’d love to hear how it works!

        Reply
        • Jaclyn says

          April 11, 2021 at 5:41 pm

          I used one of my big homemade painted chalk boards for my wedding and (thought!) I sacrificed it to for that clean chalk pen look for the event. Expected to have to repaint it to salvage – but decided to give your vinegar/magic eraser removal a shot and it totally worked! I do always prime my board first with a layer of chalk before I do any design, it may have helped with the ease of removal- however if you prime- you will have a light gray board and not that crisp clean black background that most folks desire. Thanks for showing us this hack! The vinegar and the magic eraser alone wouldn’t do it- but together works!!

          Reply
          • Jessica says

            April 11, 2021 at 5:52 pm

            Oh yay!!! This is great to hear!! I’m so glad it worked for you and also glad to know about priming it! Thank you for letting us know!

            Reply
      • Pa'yton says

        May 04, 2020 at 9:53 am

        Hey Ben, did you try it on your wall?

        Reply
      • Leslie says

        September 03, 2020 at 4:19 pm

        I have the exact same problem! A concrete/cinder block wall painted with black chalkboard paint and written on with chalk markers. It looks great, but it’s really hard to erase/change information. I used a Magic Eraser, but it’s a lot of work and you can see a ghost of the previous information. I wanted to just paint over it, but the chalkboard paint I bought doesn’t cover any of the previous marker. 🙁

        Reply
    19. Adriana says

      March 09, 2020 at 9:23 am

      Wow! So glad this worked as I was about to throw out a beautiful board that had our Thankgsiving menu on it from 4 years ago! Love that something natural like vinegar and a little muscle got this clean instead of chemicals (windex, etc.) that didn’t work at all.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 10, 2020 at 12:10 pm

        I’m so glad that this worked for you too! Thank you so much for sharing that it did!

        Reply
    20. Alicia says

      February 20, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      FINALLY!! I was able to clean a beautiful chalkboard sign that I almost trashed. Thank you, thank you!!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 22, 2020 at 7:02 pm

        Yay!!! I’m so glad it worked. You’re so welcome! 🙂

        Reply
      • Lorraine says

        December 11, 2022 at 7:05 pm

        YESSSSSS!!! SAME HERE! This is AMAZING!! I used Apple Cider vinegar as that’s all I had lol

        Reply
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