What's the best way to get overhead transparencies clean?

Question

I'm struggling with getting my overhead transparencies clean. I've tried water and glass cleaner and after a few cleanings and uses on the same transparency, they're still so dingy. What's the best way to get them clean?

I use visa vis markers and the transparencies are official "Write On Transparencies" from Office Depot. They come clean, just not all the way...they're still a little...well, dingy is the best word I can come up with...

Answer 1

i use DRY ERASE markers on them. then they just come right off with a tissue.

also, try putting a BLANK one over the nice one. that way you keep recleaning the blank one until it's too dirty for you, and then get another one. but you never mess up the original nice one.

also, ask your school to purchase an "ELMO" for you. they are SOOO cool if you are lucky enough to have one. no need for transparencies ever again!

Answer 2

Overhead Transparency

Answer 3

The spray on cleaner that works on dry-erase boards works well on overhead transparencies. Dunking the whole thing in the sink with a bit of soapy water works, too, and gets the traces and dinginess off.

Answer 4

I have students wash them with water and paper towels... sometimes more than once. (I'll have one TA do a stack on Tuesday, and then give them to another TA on Weds.) Don't wait too long or the stuff never really comes off. Also, I find the ones that you're supposed to run through the copy machine are much better than some of the flimsier ones that used to be made for the heat transfer machine.

I think one thing you need to remember is that it is seriously okay to throw them out when they start to get dingy. Order some new ones.

Answer 5

First of all, you need to know what kind of marker you are using. If its something like expo, or visa vis, than you're cool. If you are using a permanent marker.... I have nothing to say.
2nd, check your transparency. are you sure its supposed to be one? Because if its see through plastic, it usually wouldnt work. You should get sheets that say transparency, or else its gunna stick. Try more water and use a cloth or towel. Dont be afraid to use alot of water.

Answer 6

My favorite method is to ask a quick, high achieving student to clean them at the sink with water as soon as I am finished with them. They consider this a favor, i don't know why. Other than that I use the white board cleaning solution and sometimes I just have to pitch them and get new ones.

Answer 7

I run water over them at the end of the day and then clean them with a Lysol wipe. The spray for your whiteboard works well too. The key is doing it the day you write on it so it doesn't have time to set in.

Answer 8

I've used Lysol Wipes like the person above me, they work really well. Otherwise, if you find that they don't work.. try buying a different brand from Office Depot possibly.

Answer 9

There are two kinds of transparencies. Use old ones to experiment with any new cleansere you try. Maybe you can check with an office supply store.

Answer 10

with acetone
alcohol
a special liquid you can find on stationery shops or however they are called... papelerias in spanish

any of those work