Updated: 06/09/2022 at 11:53
Short answer: Yes it is, but it does have to be one that is designed for whiteboards. For example, expanding foam used in construction would not be a suitable foam.
Longer answer: still yes, but It comes with some guidance.
Firstly, we need to understand how drywipe ink works
Drywipe ink contains ink pigment suspended in silicone carried by solvents. As the pen is being used, the solvent evaporates. The ink pigment is left as a powder on the board surface, and it’s that powder that allows you to remove the ink with a dry eraser, rather than wetwipe or permanent markers that typically needs water or solvent based cleaners.
How does a foam eraser clean a whiteboard?
Foam erasers are effective at erasing because it acts like a brush and sweeps the dust off the surface. This means that for mini-whiteboards there can be a build-up of ‘dust’ around the board and on the table surface that needs to be cleaned. For wall-mounted boards the ‘dust’ will normally collect in pen trays, on the frame or just fall to the floor to be cleaned up.
Are foam erasers all the same?
By looks this can seem to be the case, however, the grade of foam you are using does make a difference, we are talking small percentages though.
Soft foam erasers tend to offer resistance and stick to the whiteboard surface, making cleaning more difficult than it needs to be. Whereas a firmer foam pushes along the surface with slight resistance making erasing more effective. if you go even further up to a hard/ dense foam the effectivness declines and becomes worse than soft foams.
There is a sweet spot between soft and hard foams that gives the correct level of erasing power.
Can I use a whiteboard cleaner with my foam eraser?
You shouldn’t use a liquid cleaner with your foam erasers, instead opt for a cloth or tissue that is designed for cleaning rather than erasing
The cell structure of a foam eraser is slightly open, so the cleaner can get inside the foam and put the liquid back onto the board (even if you think it has fully dried out!) which can make using the whiteboard harder and will require you to dry the surface before using it again.
What is the best way to use a mini foam eraser?
As with all drywipe erasers, you need to wait for the ink to fully dry before erasing, this allows the solvent enough time to evaporate. If you try to clean the board when the ink is still wet, you will smudge the ink around the board making the condition worse than before
The aerated nature of foam erasers means that they clean dried ink with very little need for high pressure or scrubbing. Simply wipe over the board surface to remove the ink.
I’ve used a foam eraser, but my board is still dirty – what should I do?
If you’ve cleaned your board but some ghosting or smudging is left behind, we recommend trying a standard whiteboard cleaner and a paper-based tissue.
If this doesn’t work, you can give MAGIX a try. Find out more in our blog post>>