There's nothing worse than grabbing your favorite dry erase marker and taking the cap off only to realize that it has totally dried out. It can be particularly frustrating if you're trying to give a lesson to a classroom full of students or about to do a big presentation at work!
So, if you're in a pinch, how exactly can you revive dry erase markers? Well, there are a few different methods you could try.
From using warm water to isopropyl alcohol, we've put together a list of tried and true methods to help bring your marker back to life. Plus, we've even included some handy storage tips to help your markers last longer without drying up.
5 Ways To Revive Dried-Out Markers
When you're dealing with a dried-out marker, the best way to get the ink flowing again is to wet the tip of the marker. After all, without the ink, you won't be able to use it on your dry erase board. There are several ways to do this, but the most effective methods we've used include:
1. A warm water soak
One of the easiest ways to revive a dry erase marker is to give it a warm water soak:
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Fill a small bowl with warm water, making sure that it's not too hot.
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Open up your marker and place the tip into the bowl. You're going to want to make sure it's fully submerged.
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Let the marker sit in the water for around five minutes (this helps to soften and rehydrate the dried ink and allows it to start flowing again).
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Take the marker out of the water and leave it to dry for 24 hours. Remember to place it on something disposable like paper towels or scrap paper, or you may come back to an inky mess!
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After 24 hours, replace the cap and give your marker a shake before you use it. It should be as good as new!
2. Use alcohol or vinegar
For dried markers that are a bit more stubborn, alcohol or vinegar can come in handy. In fact, they work fantastically for most types of dried out markers, including something as tricky as a permanent marker. So before you throw your old markers out, be sure to give it a go. Here's how to use this method:
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Grab some white vinegar, rubbing alcohol (ideally 90% or higher), or isopropyl alcohol. Then, dip the marker tip into a few drops of the solvent you're using.
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Hold the tip in the vinegar or alcohol until the ink starts flowing. You may want to keep a close eye on your marker during this step, though, since you don't want to leave it soaking for too long. This is especially important if you're using colorful dry erase marker sets.
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After the ink starts coming back, remove the marker and let it sit with its tip upright for around 24 hours. This will allow the alcohol to run back into the pen and rejuvenate the dry erase ink inside the marker.
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Replace the cap and give the marker a little shake. Then, try to write or draw on your whiteboard. It should glide across your dry erase board with no effort!
3. Shake or tap the marker
Sometimes, the ink inside the marker can get stuck and just needs a little nudge to get it flowing again. In this case, you can always give the marker a little shake or tap the bottom against a flat surface to move the ink toward the tip.
This method is surprisingly effective - especially if your marker isn't completely dried out. Plus, it requires minimal time and effort. So, if you're in the middle of a homeschool lesson or important boardroom meeting, you should try this method first. Just make sure the cap is on securely to avoid any unfortunate ink splatters!
4. Flip the marker tip with pliers
In some cases, only one side of the marker tip has dried up. If that's the case, and you have a pair of pliers handy, then you're in luck! This easy method can also work wonders in rejuvenating your dry erase markers. All you need to do is:
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Grab a small pair of pliers and remove the marker cap.
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Use the pliers to carefully remove the marker tip. Remember, if you use too much force, you can potentially damage the sponge, so take your time and wiggle it out if necessary.
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Once the tip is out, flip it upside down (180 degrees) so that the part that was inside of the marker is now facing outward.
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Push the tip back into the marker with the moist side of the tip exposed.
5. Twirling with a string
Lastly, there is a fun and creative way to revive dry erase markers that we use all the time. Just be sure to have tape and string nearby to use this method!
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Grab a relatively long piece of string and some strong tape.
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Using the tape, attach the string to the marker. Alternatively, you can tie it around the marker if you don't have any tape. Just be sure to tie it up tightly to avoid it slipping out of your 'lasso'.
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Once the string is secure, start swinging the marker around your head. The centrifugal force from the spinning will eventually help to push the ink toward the tip.
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Continue swinging for around 30 seconds before carefully removing the cap and testing the marker.
Storage Tips To Make Your Dry Erase Markers Last Longer
When you're using dry erase boards, you never want to use anything other than a high-quality dry erase marker to write. Other types of markers can cause staining, ghosting, or other permanent damage to the writing surface.
So, rather than grabbing any run-of-the-mill marker when yours has dried out, you can use our tips to revive it. But maintaining your marker doesn't stop there! You should also try to store your markers properly to avoid them drying out again in the future. It's all part of knowing how to use and care for dry erase markers.
Always remember the cap
It may seem like a straightforward tip, but the most common reason that markers dry out is not having a cap, or if the cap isn't secured properly.
To avoid having your markers dry out, always replace the cap and make sure that it is positioned properly on the marker. You can test whether it is secure by holding the marker by the cap and shaking it gently. If the marker cap pops off, then it hasn't been closed properly.
Store your dry erase markers horizontally or facing downward
To keep the ink flowing in your marker, store it horizontally or with the tip facing downward. That way, the tip is constantly being wetted to keep it primed and ready for the next time you use it.
When you store a marker vertically, the ink will roll back to the end of the marker and the tip will dry out.
Avoid sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause the ink inside your marker to dry out pretty quickly and make it much harder to revive. Heat may also cause some of the ink to evaporate if you leave the tip of the marker exposed without a cap.
The best place to store your marker is in a cool, dry room without too much exposure to sunlight. Alternatively, you can use Loddie Doddie's magnetic dry erase markers and keep them attached to your dry erase boards for easy access.
FAQs
Can you use these methods for permanent markers?
Yes, you can use these methods to revive your permanent markers. The most effective method to use for permanent markers is the alcohol method, since it can revive even the most stubborn of markers.
How can I revive water-based markers?
Water-based markers are easy to bring back to life. In fact, you can do this in just a few minutes using the warm water method. We'd recommend avoiding other methods on this list (besides shaking or swinging your marker) to eliminate the possibility of ruining your marker.
Can I use refill ink for dried-out markers?
If you're using a refillable marker, then you can use refill ink to top up your ink supply. However, this will only work for a refillable marker. If you're using the non-refillable kind, you may want to try one of our top five methods to get your dried out marker working again.
Final Thoughts
Reviving a dried out marker couldn't be easier! Fortunately, most of these methods deliver quick and effective results. Just remember that if you have tried these methods and they don't work, it may be time to replace your markers. When this happens, it's likely that the ink has been used up and there isn't any more left in the marker.