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 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 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:
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)
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. 🙂
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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Kay says
Do you think this will work to get leftover speckles from liquid chalk marker off? I have all these dots on my chalkboard that won’t budge.
Jessica says
It could! I used liquid chalk marker on mine and that’s what worked for it! You may want to test a small area first though, just in case! 🙂
Angela says
This worked for me! I was so stressed and thought I ruined a new chalkboard and I should have treated mine first too 🙁 Thanks for the info!
Jessica says
Yippee! I’m so glad that it worked for you too!!! Thank you for letting us know!
G says
I bought a used Ikea kid’s easel. the chalkboard side had small scribbles- came right off thanks to your advise!!! : ) Looks totally brand new. THANK YOU< THANK YOU!
Jessica says
You’re so welcome! Thank YOU for letting me know!!
Tammie says
I have small cheap chalkboard signs I use for birthdays and 1st days of school. The chalk markers wipe off well within the hour but after 12 hours it barely comes off at all. I used the magic eraser with straight rubbing alcohol and it wiped off easily without scrubbing or soaking! I left the alcohol sitting while I looked up solutions and since the soak didn’t work I got the magic eraser and wiped it right off. I flipped it (double sided) and did the other side with only a spray, not a soak. Amazed! Completely clean.
Jessica says
Yay!!! I’m so glad that it came off of you with that! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Jackie says
Jessica,
Thank you so much. With the help of a designer friend I ordered a huge black board for my new home 4 years ago and immediately ruined it with chalk markers! That same friend just found your clever cure on Pinterest and forwarded it to me and my board is finally clean! Thank you for saving my huge investment!
Also, the bigger the board the bigger the mess. I would recommend laying towels below to catch drips and wearing rubber gloves to save your mani!
Jessica says
Oh good!! I’m so glad your friend found it on Pinterest for you! I LOVE your extra tips for this too. I couldn’t agree more!
Charlotte Stead says
Oh my goodness this totally SAVED my chalkboard! I bought some chalkboard markers a couple months back and decided the vibrant colors would be perfect for decorating my chalkboard for Easter. It turned out super cute but when I went to scrub it away, much to my dismay, none of it wanted to come off! I was able (after scrubbing with soapy water for about 30 mins) to take all but the pink and orange down to just the “ghostly outline.” I tried hot soapy water, cold soapy water, and 409 and NOTHING! I got online and found this and IT WORKED!!! My chalkboard is completely clean! Thank you so much for sharing this great idea!!! You saved my chalkboard for many more fun decorating days to come!
Jessica says
Aw! I’m so glad that it worked for you too Charlotte! Thank you for taking the time to let me know!
av says
thank you sososo much. sadly mine still left the shadow as I did not have the magic eraser, but the vinegar idea..wow I would never have thought of that. Thanks a million
.
Jessica says
Aw, well if you get your hands on a magic eraser at some point, maybe you can give it another go! 🙂 Thank you for coming by!
Mary says
Oh my goodness! You are genius and I love you! Thank you so much for this tip!
Jessica says
Haha!!! You’re so welcome! I’m so glad that it worked for you! 🙂 XO
Martina says
I purchase a chalkboard from Restauration Hardware as well. Same problem as you described. Very frustrating. Tried many things and nothing worked :-(. I can’t wait to try your solution. Thank you!
Jessica says
Oh I hope it works for you too!!
Emmy K Shrivastava says
Hi Jessica,
Would apple cider vinegar work in place of the distilled white vinegar?
Jessica says
Hi Emmy! You know, I’ve never tried it! I’m sorry! If you do decide to use it, I’d test a small area first just in case!
Marti says
Yes it does work with Apple cider vinegar as wee. Perfect.
Jessica says
I am so glad I found this post! It worked great on my massive chalkboard that I needed to redo for a cafe. Thank you!!!
Jessica says
Oh good! I’m so glad that it worked for you too!! Thank you for letting me know!
Ashley Ireton says
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It was a lot of scrubbing but it worked!!! I was hopeless and Thought my huge $200 Etsy wall calander was ruined.
Jessica says
Eeeeeek!!!! Yay! I’m so glad it worked for you!!! Thank you for letting me know! 🙂 XO
Jamie says
We painted one of our doors in the kitchen with chalkboard paint to keep grocerie lists etc. Love it – but thought I was going to have to repaint because the chalk markers left ghost writing! Tried this and it worked like a charm!! Thank you so much!!!!
Jessica says
Heck yes! I’m so glad that it worked for you on this! What a big project that would have been to repaint! Yay! Thank you for letting me know!
K says
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I have 2 chalkboards I use all the time. I used some new chalk markers & could’nt clean them off until I tried your trick! Worked great!
Jessica says
Oh good!!! I”m so glad that it worked for you too! This makes my day! 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
Robin says
THANK YOU!! I actually did “prime” my chalkboard, but those darn chalk markers – some colors leave a ghost shadow, others (yellow in particular) basically turn white and barely come off. Grabbed a magic eraser and some white vinegar – didn’t even have to scrub! It all just wiped right off! Thanks a million!!
Jessica says
Woo hoo!! I’m so glad it worked for you!! Thank you for letting me know too!
Minette Martin says
WOW! IT REALLY WORKS! I can’t thank you enough!
Jessica says
Oh I’m so glad that it worked for you!! It’s so exciting when it finally comes off! Lol! Thank you for sharing!
Cynthia says
It worked perfectly! A bit of good scrubbing and good as new. Thank you so much for the help and details. I appreciate it greatly.
Happy holidays !
Jessica says
Oh good! So glad it worked for you too!!! Thank you for letting me know! Happy holidays to you too!
Katie says
I found this post tonight after being so frustrated. This worked like a charm. I’m so grateful! Thanks.
Jessica says
Oh good Katie! I’m so glad it worked for you!! Thank you for letting me know!
Daniela says
you are a genius! THANK YOU!!
Jessica says
Oh good!!!! Definitely not a genius… just lucky! Lol! You’re so welcome!
Megan Joseph says
Thank you for your inspiration. I didn’t have a magic eraser but it made me think of baking soda so I used a wet kitchen sponge with water squeezed out and lots of baking soda and I scrubbed really hard like you said and it came out. It’s a bummer it doesn’t just wipe away 🙂
Jessica says
Hi Megan! I’m so glad that you found something that works! YES!! I so wish it just wiped away too. It would be so much easier!!! 🙂 Thank you for dropping a note to let me know!