Every month is the same. I use my big magnetic calendar to record our family’s activities and meal plan for the month. I use a dry erase marker and it works quite nicely, because I can erase and rewrite things as I go.

But then I put the calendar back on the side of the refrigerator, and there it sits for the next four weeks. Sure, I look at it often. To know what’s for dinner, to see what we have happening each week. But after several weeks on the fridge, when the end of one month comes and it’s time for me to plan the next, I encounter the same problem.

The marker won’t erase. No amount of elbow grease behind the eraser can get the marker to budge, and water doesn’t work either. I know I can buy the special spray made especially for this predicament, but, when possible,  I prefer to do things frugally and without the use of harsh chemicals.

 

So instead of buying the spray, I use one simple ingredient that I’m guessing can be found in nearly every kitchen in America: baking soda. I just lay the board flat, sprinkle it with baking soda, and then drizzle water over the top. A few swipes with a rag or a paper towel and the marker comes right off.

 

If you wanted to make things even easier, you could even make a paste of baking soda and water and store it in an airtight container. That would cut out the additional step of dripping water over the baking soda and creating a paste right on the board.

What frugal hacks do you know that only require basic kitchen ingredients? Do share!

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