As many times as I’d like to say that “As I kid, I always drew in the lines,” the truth is there was a time when I didn’t always. There are still Christmas decorations that my parents proudly put on our fake Christmas tree that are proof enough of my “outside-of-the-line” creative process as a child. I think that kids who “practice” coloring outside of the lines is one of the reasons that certain drawing tools are preferred over others. Usually, it’s much easier to clean up colored pencils or crayons than it is to clean up markers that have somehow mistakenly missed their target paper or board and end up on a shirt or the carpet. With the introduction of the new washable EXPO markers, there’s one less thing we have to worry about missing the mark!
If you use dry erase markers in your household – whether it’s writing notes to your loved one on the mirror or coloring on the glass shower door to make bath time fun, then you’re also familiar with the smell and the stains that dry erase markers can make. The Expo Washable markers address both of those problems because they are low odor and their ink easily washed from your hands and most washable fabrics. Available in six bold colors (pictured), Expo Washable markers are certified non-toxic, which makes them ideal for use at home when playing with or home-schooling the kids. I have to say that I love the vibrancy of the colors. You can’t tell so well from the picture here, but the pink, orange and yellow look practically fluorescent and are very bright.
I’ve reviewed and raved about EXPO markers before and I fully expected the EXPO Washable markers to perform similarly to the other markers (which they did.) Instead of writing another post with the same stuff, I thought I would put the “Washable” part to the test. I used the markers on three different surfaces and then washed them to see how well the EXPO Washable markers washed off.
First: My Hand. A regular EXPO Marker is on top and the EXPO Washable marker is below.
Conclusion: The EXPO Washable marker did wash off more easily. With some scrubbing, I could get the regular marker pretty close to gone too, though.
Second: A micro-suede pillow.
Conclusion: The EXPO Washable marker washed off completely when I spot cleaned the pillow with soap and water. Some scrubbing was required but all of the ink is gone.
Third: A sock (with paint blotches on it.)
Conclusion: The sock was thrown into a load of whites (no bleach.) The EXPO Washable markers didn’t wash off the sock completely. In fairness though, I had to go over the letters multiple times to make sure that the marker got onto the sock. I guess I’m saying that I really worked the ink into the sock for this one. I fully expect that on the next wash, the remnant ink will be gone.
Once again EXPO has come out with a great product that teaching or playing with the kids easier. If anyone makes a mess with the markers, simply wash! Of course the results may vary depending on the fabric or item that was colored on, but I can say that at least with skin, micro-suede, and cotton socks, the markers washed off (or will wash off) completely.
If you would like to purchase EXPO Washable markers, they are available in fine and bullet points on Amazon.com. For more information about EXPO Markers, please visit www.expomarkers.com.
What’s Cooking at DD EXPO Washable Marker Giveaway!
The Prize:
One winner will receive a package of EXPO Washable markers.
This giveaway is closed.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. Your experiences may be different. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free package of EXPO Washable Markers from the manufacturer or their representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
Some of the washable markers would be for my husband – he's always complaining that people steal his at work. And, when he goes up to give a presentation, he's left waving his arms in the air to illustrate his point. 🙂 The rest of markers would be for my daughter, who loves drawing!! 🙂 And, my favorite part about them…they WASH, which is terrific since she more ink gets on herself than on the board. 🙂
Some of the washable markers would be for my husband – he's always complaining that people steal his at work. And, when he goes up to give a presentation, he's left waving his arms in the air to illustrate his point. 🙂 The rest of markers would be for my daughter, who loves drawing!! 🙂 And, my favorite part about them…they WASH, which is terrific since she more ink gets on herself than on the board. 🙂
I always buy this brand for my kids to use at school.
I always buy this brand for my kids to use at school.
I would use the marker for schoolwork and playtime.
I would use the marker for schoolwork and playtime.
I think I would use the markers for both the kids schoolwork and my playtime. As an artist, I could have alot of fun with those markers.
I think I would use the markers for both the kids schoolwork and my playtime. As an artist, I could have alot of fun with those markers.
i would use these at home for messages with my sonnannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
i would use these at home for messages with my son
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
I would give them to my nephew. I bought him some coloring books, and I wouldn't have to worry about it getting on anything else.debptwoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would give them to my nephew. I bought him some coloring books, and I wouldn't have to worry about it getting on anything else.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would use these to teach my son letters and numbers using his easel. Hubby might steal them though he loves these kind of markers.
I would use these to teach my son letters and numbers using his easel. Hubby might steal them though he loves these kind of markers.
They would be used for learning activities for my dd.
They would be used for learning activities for my dd.
My granddaughter has an art area set up in her playroom. She loves to draw, color, and create. These markers would be great for her because no matter how careful she is, she's bound to get marker on herself, the art table, or her clothes.
My granddaughter has an art area set up in her playroom. She loves to draw, color, and create. These markers would be great for her because no matter how careful she is, she's bound to get marker on herself, the art table, or her clothes.
These would be great for my daughter in our craft room. Thanks for the chance!mogrill@comcast.net
These would be great for my daughter in our craft room. Thanks for the chance!
mogrill@comcast.net
I would use them for school projects!
I would use them for school projects!
I would use them for playtime – because they are chunky the are great for little ones starting out with pens!
I would use them for playtime – because they are chunky the are great for little ones starting out with pens!
I would keep these washable markers here at Grandma's house – this way my granddaughters will have an extra 'quiet time' activity and I'll be more relaxed about the coloring.
I would keep these washable markers here at Grandma's house – this way my granddaughters will have an extra 'quiet time' activity and I'll be more relaxed about the coloring.
I would use them at my children's school when I volunteering in thier classrooms. I am constantly going through makers by labeling things and marking papers. tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I would use them at my children's school when I volunteering in thier classrooms. I am constantly going through makers by labeling things and marking papers.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I would use them with my kids to let them “design” shirts, and then wash them out to start over when they are through wearing their new designs
I would use them with my kids to let them “design” shirts, and then wash them out to start over when they are through wearing their new designs
My niece would really love these. She loves to draw everybody pictures.
My niece would really love these. She loves to draw everybody pictures.
The grandkids are always needing markers for craft-time at Memaw's house!
The grandkids are always needing markers for craft-time at Memaw's house!
i'd give them to my creative little nephew!
i'd give them to my creative little nephew!
I'm an education major. This would come in handy now and def in the future!
I'm an education major. This would come in handy now and def in the future!
I would use these in my preschool classroom.
I would use these in my preschool classroom.
I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway fancyfeet45@earthlink.net
I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway fancyfeet45@earthlink.net
I would use them with my niece to draw fun pictures
I would use them with my niece to draw fun pictures
I'm a 4th grade teacher, and I would use these markers in my classroom. The kids always love the funky colors! Thanks!
I'm a 4th grade teacher, and I would use these markers in my classroom. The kids always love the funky colors! Thanks!
I teach school and would use these on my whiteboard at work.
I teach school and would use these on my whiteboard at work.
I would use them for playtime
I would use them for playtime
I would use them at home to write lists. paulajomyers@yahoo.com
I would use them at home to write lists. paulajomyers@yahoo.com
playtime with the family
playtime with the family
use them for artwork since im an art student for college
use them for artwork since im an art student for college
I would definitely use them for playtime as I still have a 4 year old home most of the time…
I would definitely use them for playtime as I still have a 4 year old home most of the time…
I would use these markers on the re-writable board that's stuck to the side of our fridge. It's a great place for reminders and notes, but almost all the dry erase markers we have right now are dry. In addition, they tend to leave their foggy colors behind on the board unless we use cleaner on it, which I fear is damaging the surface. These washable markers sound like the perfect solution.
I would use these markers on the re-writable board that's stuck to the side of our fridge. It's a great place for reminders and notes, but almost all the dry erase markers we have right now are dry. In addition, they tend to leave their foggy colors behind on the board unless we use cleaner on it, which I fear is damaging the surface. These washable markers sound like the perfect solution.
I would use these for playtime
I would use these for playtime
I would use these for playtime
I would use these for playtime
I bought these to use with my students. The students loved their colors, but they left my board and my erasers a mess. I am having difficulty getting the black goo off my erasers. Did anyone else have this probelm?
Hi Anita,
I actually used a cleaning cloth so didn’t have the same problem. I did find an article that said that dry erase erasers do need to be cleaned sometimes or they won’t erase as well. Here’s the link: http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-clean-a-dry-erase-board-eraser
Let me know how it goes!
Miriam
Curious to know if they leave that same black dusty residue?
Do you mean when you erase the board?
This is very useful. A washable marker.
http://www.carpetcleaningchelsea.net
These are horrid. They have stained a new dr y erase board and do not come out of the carpet where my grand children dropped them with the tops off. I wish I had thought to look at other review sites on the internet prior to purchasing these. From comments I read the company would have to have known of these problems for an extended length of time and still has them on the market. Shame on the EXPO company!
That’s too bad that you’re experience was so different from my own. I didn’t have any problems erasing them from my board or washing it from fabric. I’ll admit that I didn’t do the carpet test, so I’m not sure if the nylon/fabric in carpet makes it more difficult to wash the marker out. Thanks for sharing your feedback.
I bought these because of the fun colors, but the blue stained my dry erase board. I don’t know if I have a defective batch or what???? All of the other colors erase. I have used dry erase board spray cleaner which didn’t help. My dry erase board is ruined!!!!!!