The Best Classroom Cleaning Hacks
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Teachers, if your classroom is starting to look worn and raggedy now that it’s mid-year, try these best hacks, tips, and ideas for cleaning to get it sparkling again and get rid of any lingering germs.
How to Clean Dry Erase Boards
If your dry erase board is not as white as it used to be, (don’t you hate that!?) here’s what you can use to get it clean and bright white again . . .
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- Wet Ones
I use these EVERYWHERE – great for cleaning the bathroom and quick dusting, too. (And I hear these are great for sending to the troops, too.) - Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
I prefer to save these for the desks but they’ll work anywhere, including on a white board. - Mr. Clean
Just spray, add a paper towel, and you’re golden. - Nail Polish Remover
This will also remove permanent marker. My maintenance guy told me this early on in teaching.
- Wet Ones
How to Remove Permanent Maker from a White Board
If you have permanent marker marks on a white board, I’ve got the perfect hack for easily removing them. Simply write over all the permanent marker lines with a dry erase marker. Then erase as you would a dry erase marker. Voila, it’s gone!
Want another easy hack? If it’s an oil-based Sharpie, you can remove it with hand sanitizer.
How to Remove Marker from Clothing
Both teachers and students both can get marker on their clothing – especially dry erase markers.
To clean the stained clothing, put a paper towel under the stain. Make sure the stain is on the towel side.
Dab rubbing alcohol onto the back of the stained area. The ink will transfer into the paper towel.
Replace with new paper towels as needed.
Wash normally.
How to Make Erasers for Dry Erase Markers
If your students use dry erase markers for classwork, make it easier for them to erase without having to use towels or large erasers. Hot glue a pom pom onto the top of the marker! It is easy and really works.
How to Clean iPads
Make a rule that kids must wash their hands BEFORE using iPads. This helps minimize the dirty finger streaks. But, to clean dirty iPads, use a microfiber cloth. You can buy these in packs of 3, 6, or 9.
However, if you don’t want to buy anything, try using pieces of felt. Those will work just as well!
You can get the cloth damp but NEVER use a cleaning product on an iPad!
P.S. Did You Know?
Instead of making your own fancy bathroom pass, just use hand sanitizer as THE pass. Like usual, have your students set it on their desks when they go to the bathroom, use it when they return, and then you know kids have clean hands.
End of the Day Classroom Cleanup
As a teacher, I hated taking time to clean up because it was time away from learning. So train your class how to clean up fast. Here are some suggestions:
- Magic Scrap Game
(This only works for primary students. Try it with your older kids and they’ll just roll their eyes.)
Secretly pick a “magic scrap” that when someone picks up during clean up time, that person wins, and the clean up game is over.
- Beat the Clock
Set a timer. If the kids can get the room cleaned up by the time it goes off, they get a reward in your management system – point, marble, whatever you use.
- Classroom Jobs
Many classes have success with assigning each child a specific job that rotates weekly or monthly. These include: garbage, recycling, pet feeder, pencil sharpener, line leader, paper passer, desk cleaner, and others listed here.
What other cleaning hacks work in your classroom?
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
I teach 4th and do magic scrap with my kiddos. To make it more interesting for them I add a prize to whoever finds the magic scrap. I also changed it to magic item because sometimes I choose things that shouldn’t be thrown away, scissors, rulers, math manipulatives, etc.