As a Professional Development specialist here at Teq, I am most often asked by teachers, especially now, “How do I clean and/or disinfect a SMART Board or flat panel display and the accessories?” This question will be posed frequently by teachers prior to this September and beyond. However, the procedure is uncomplicated and not time-consuming, making it less daunting to address more often. Let’s take a look.

Before getting started, here are a few cautions you should be aware of

• Do not use permanent or dry-erase markers on the screen. If dry-erase markers are used on the screen, remove the ink as soon as possible with a lint-free, non‑abrasive cloth.
• Do not rub the screen with dense or rough material.
• Do not apply pressure to the screen.
• Do not use cleaning solutions or glass cleaners on the screen, they can deteriorate or discolor the screen.
• Avoid touching the reflective tape between the screen and the frame and ensure that this strip stays dry. Damage to this strip affects touch interactivity.

*According to SMART, generally, it is best to use only a cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to clean your SMART Board. Never spray liquid directly onto the surface.

SMART has tested and approves the use of the following

Diluted bleach solution
To mix the correct solution, using standard household bleach at a strength of 5% Sodium Hypochlorite:

• 4 tsp. of bleach per quart of distilled water
• 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of distilled water
• 20ml bleach per 980ml distilled water
• 80ml bleach per 3.92L distilled water

Adjust accordingly to maintain the 0.1% solution if you’re using bleach stronger or weaker than 5% Sodium Hypochlorite. We recommend using a spray bottle for applying the solution to the cloth to avoid over-saturating it. Test a small, inconspicuous area before you clean the entire surface. 70 – 90% isopropyl alcohol comes pre-diluted and no mixing is required. For concentrations above 90%, dilute accordingly with distilled water. We recommend using a spray bottle for applying the solution to the cloth to avoid over-saturating it.

Here’s how to use the solution to disinfect the screen

• Make sure you have two lint-free, non-abrasive cloth for this procedure.
• Turn off any connected computers.
• Turn the display off. Go to https://support.smarttech.com/hardware and find your specific model for instructions.
• Wipe all surfaces with the first dry lint-free, non-abrasive cloth to remove dust and debris.
• Gently spray a small amount of the water or cleaning solution on the second cloth.
  Note: Do not oversaturate the cloth to the point it is dripping.
• Wipe the screen with the dampened cloth.
• After wiping the screen, wipe off the remaining SMART Board surfaces that one can normally touch, such as the frame, pens, and other accessories.

Cleaning and disinfecting the SMART board or flat panel may become a part of your daily routine. I strongly recommend not allowing students, especially if using a cleaning solution, to clean the boards, panels, accessories, etc. I would also be sure to store your cleaning solutions in a location that students can not access. If you are sharing a classroom or space with colleagues, you can kindly offer your cleaning products to your co-workers, or ask them to bring their own cleaning solutions to your shared location.

Wishing you all a healthy and safe return to your schools in the near future!

For information about disinfecting surfaces as they apply to COVID-19, please visit the links below. Otherwise, please refer to your local government website for more information.

• cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
• cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/
• epa.gov/coronavirus