As parents, we all love and hate markers. On one hand, they’re perfect for creative expression on all sorts of surfaces. Kids love the “bold” mark they’re able to make! This is true even for dry erase markers, where your children can scribble their heart out and wipe away their creations for something new. 

This extra feature is a huge plus, because it makes lots of DIY sensory crafts and activities totally reusable! I use dry erase markers in learning activities like my DIY Letter Posting Box, Analog Clock, Counting Box, and more on my Mothercould In Your Pocket resource!     

However, despite how useful dry erase markers are, they do have a notorious downside DRYING OUT! I can’t help but wince every time I find my kids have left them without lids on or didn’t get them closed all the way. Because as soon as those markers are dried up and won’t leave their bold mark, the kids are no longer interested. SUCH. A. PAIN.

BUT, I have a solution for this. Over time, I’ve put together seven tips on how to save dry erase markers from drying out. That means no more frustration when lids are left off and no more buying new dry erase markers every few months. Let’s bring those things back to life!

Here are my tips:

7 Tips on How to Save Dry Erase Markers from Drying Out

Store vertically with cap down.

Storing your markers vertically with the marker tip down helps to keep ink flowing to the tip. This helps the markers stay inked up for longer, and no drying out until they’re really done! You can use a cup or an upright container to store the markers upright with the caps down. Something like this works great!

Recap tightly after use.

Always remember to put the cap on tightly after each use to prevent the markers from drying out. If your little ones are the usual culprits for leaving caps off, make matching and closing the caps at the end of the activity part of the fun! Or, make it a part of their daily tasks at the end of the day.to make sure all markers have their caps tightly closed!

Store in a cool, dry place.

Make sure your dry erase markers are kept in a cool, dry place to prolong their lifespan and avoid any ink evaporation. Store the markers away from direct sunlight and any sources of heat such as radiators or vents which can accelerate drying out. 

Use a marker rejuvenator.

If your dry erase markers are starting to dry out, but they’re not actually out of ink, a marker rejuvenator could be a good idea. This is a great solution for those markers that have just been left in a warm space or haven’t been recapped tightly after use. 

Marker rejuvenators can easily made at home using isopropyl alcohol. Just dip the marker tip into the solution for a few seconds and then test on a surface to see if the ink begins to run smoothly again.

Shake and prime before use.

Before using a dry erase marker, it can be super helpful to give it a little shake and then press the tip against a surface a few times to prime it. Priming is great for helping the ink run smoothly and also making the color more vibrant and dense with no streaks or gaps.

Use quality surfaces.

Writing on high-quality surfaces is a surefire way to keep your markers in tip-top condition. You should try to get your little ones to only write on dry erase boards or surfaces designed for these markers to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear on your markers.

Store with moisture control.

Consider storing your markers with a small, damp sponge or cotton ball in the container to help keep the moisture levels up. In turn, keeping your markers moist! Just make sure the cotton ball or sponge is damp but not sopping wet. Too much moisture isn’t a good thing either!

Never let your dry erase markers dry out again with these tips!

By following these helpful tips and incorporating them into your routine, you can keep your dry erase markers in good condition! This way, they will always be ready for use. Say goodbye to spending much money constantly replenishing your dry erase marker inventory!

If you liked these tips, you can find more colorful activities, helpful cleaning hacks, parenting tips, and more with the Mothercould blog and Mothercould In Your Pocket resource. With the resource, for a cost-effective, one-time fee, you get full access to my entire library of beneficial sensory activities! These exclusive activities have been designed with your kiddos development in mind, so every activity helps your child grow essential skills while keeping them totally engaged!