As part of Teq’s professional development team, one of the most frequently asked questions we get when doing a SMART Board training is, “How do I clean and/or disinfect a SMART Board or interactive flat panel and its accessories?” Cleaning your SMART Board should never be a daunting task. Lucky for you, the procedure has never been easier! Let’s take a look!

Before getting started, here are a few things to remember:

• 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.
• 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.
• Do not use cleaning solutions or glass cleaners on the screen, other than those discussed below, they can deteriorate or discolor the screen.
• Never spray liquid directly onto the surface.

According to SMART guidelines, it is generally best to use slightly dampened cloth with distilled water to clean your SMART Board. However, if you want to disinfect your panel SMART has a go-to list of approved methods to keep them squeaky clean!

SMART-approved cleaning solutions

Diluted bleach solution:

To mix the correct solution, use standard household bleach with a strength of 5% Sodium Hypochlorite. Here are the measurements you’ll need:

• 4 tsp. of bleach per quart of distilled water
• 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of distilled water
• 20 ml bleach per 980 ml 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. It is recommended to use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the cloth to avoid over-saturating it. Test a small area of the board before cleaning the entire surface.

Isopropyl Alcohol Method:

The 70 – 90% isopropyl alcohol solution comes pre-diluted, as no mixing is required. For concentrations above 90%, dilute accordingly with distilled water. SMART recommends using a spray bottle to apply the solution to the cloth to avoid over saturation.

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

• Make sure you have two lint-free, non-abrasive cloths for this procedure.
• Turn off any connected computers.
• Turn the display off. Find your specific display model here for instructions.
• Wipe all surfaces with one 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. Remember: Do not oversaturate the cloth to the point where it is dripping.
• Wipe the screen with the dampened cloth.
• After wiping the screen, wipe off the remaining SMART Board surfaces that you normally touch, such as the frame, pens, and other accessories.

You may find cleaning and disinfecting your SMART board or flat panel will become a part of your daily routine! However, we strongly recommend that you do not allow students, especially if using a cleaning solution, to clean the boards, panels, or accessories. Be sure to store your cleaning solutions in a safe location that students can not access.

If you are sharing a classroom or space with colleagues, you can kindly share your cleaning products with coworkers, or ask them to use their own cleaning products in your shared space. With these surefire methods, your SMART Board will be so clean it sparkles! Happy learning!

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

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