MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I take care of my Whiteboard?
If you own a whiteboard, it’s important to do a little bit of maintenance to it so you can continue to use it for years and keep it looking as new as it did on the day you bought it. Perhaps you’re wondering how to maintain yours. Quick and easy whiteboard maintenance will save you money and time in the short and long run, so you should definitely consider adding this to your routine as well as some whiteboard accessories. This article will give you some practical tips so you can keep your board in terrific condition.
1. Use the right markers. This is probably the single most important thing you can do to keep your board in great shape. Make sure you use markers that are specifically meant for dry-erase boards. It should say right on the pen whether it’s a dry-erase marker or not. (Your instruction manual may also have suggestions on which markers you should use.) Make sure you don’t use Sharpies, highlighters, or Mr. Sketch markers. If you do, there’s a good chance you’ll never be able to get your writing off the surface, leaving you with a ruined whiteboard.
2. Erase your board regularly. After using the right markers, using the right eraser regularly is very important. Be sure to use erasers that were specifically designed for whiteboard use. They’re non-abrasive and remove dry-erase ink much better than any rag or towel ever could. Also, make sure you erase your board every day. This will prevent it from becoming stained. And if you need to erase your writing just after it appears on the board, wait about 10 seconds before doing so. This gives the ink time to dry and it erases better when it’s not wet.
3. Use a commercial cleaner. It’s pretty easy to clean your board, especially if you use a commercial cleaner. There are several on the market and the particularly good ones are made by Quartet, a manufacturer that also happens to make very high-quality whiteboards. Their cleaners are available in a 2-ounce spray bottle as well as wipes you can use to literally wipe your board clean. There’s even a cleaner that will remove permanent ink if someone accidentally uses the right kind of marker. Whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation to use household items such as nail polish, baby oil, WD-40, or other liquids to clean your board. Not only can these things possibly damage your board, they could be hazardous to your health as well.
4. Clean it often. Generally speaking, the more you use your whiteboard, the more you need to clean it. If you use it every day, you should clean it a few times a week. If you lose it less, you’ll be able to get away with cleaning it less often, maybe one or two times per month.
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
