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!!

Remember... rubbing alcohol may be your new best friend, but be sure to keep it out of the reach of your students.... for adult use only!!!