Fight Germs… and Marker Stains, Too!
Have you ever thought about all the germs that your students share, while sharing those innocent classroom supplies like crayons, scissors and pencils?? Here’s a great tip from our Kindergarten aide “extraordinaire”, Michelle L.
Keep a small spray bottle filled with household rubbing alcohol (91% works best) for tackling germs as well as permanent marker stains on tables and desks. (Important!! Rubbing alcohol is toxic if swallowed, so you must keep it up high in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children!) At the end of each day, give a few squirts into each of the tubs of supplies that your students share, mixing them around a little as you spray them so they all get covered. The alcohol evaporates quickly and the supplies are completely dry long before the kids come back to school the next day. You can also spray other frequently touched surfaces, like door knobs and handles, to keep those germs at bay.
But the wonders of rubbing alcohol don’t end there! After a recent art project, we ended up with permanent marker stains all over the tables. I’ve never worried about that too much as Magic Rub Erasers have always worked great for removing Sharpie from desks (bonus tip!), but we were using chisel tip permanent markers (a different ink formula), and to my dismay, my eraser strategy just wasn’t cutting it! Then, in steps our fabulous aide, Michelle, to the rescue! She grabbed her handy spray bottle, lightly misted the tables with rubbing alcohol and, “Voila!” The marker stains were easily wiped away and the tables looked like new again! Thanks, Michelle, for this amazing tip!!
Hand sanitizer actually works well for removing marker and crayon stains as well- because of the alcohol content.
Great idea, Julie! Most everyone already has hand sanitizer in their classroom these days!
great idea! I will use it this week. Also, just so you know, Mr Clean magic erasers work well for removing permanent markers from floors and tables as well.
Good to know! I hadn't tried that yet… thanks for the tip!!
Wonderful tip. Thank you! :-)
Any suggestions for getting mod podge off tables?
I didn't think I needed to cover the table for a lesson…BOY WAS I WRONG…
Now my tables have spots of hard glue!
Hmmmm…. I don't have an answer for that off the top of my head but I'll poke around and see what I can find out!
Jess, what material is the surface of your table made of? Is it wood, plastic, laminate, or…??? That might make a difference in what should be used to remove the Mod Podge.
Jess, I just emailed Mod Podge's manufacturer. They got back to me REALLY fast… great company!!! Here is their answer:
“Mod Podge is a permanent application once dried. Sanding would be the only option.”
(I have a feeling that's not what you were hoping to hear! Well, at least now you know…)