Cleaning test tubes
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- Posts: 43
- Joined: 19 Jun 2009, 13:31
- Job Title: Science lab Assistant
- School: Mary Mackillop College
- Suburb: Wakeley
- State/Location: NSW
Cleaning test tubes
Hi Labbies,
Can anyone suggest a good cleaning solution for test tubes with stain from corrosion pracs?
Thanks a lot.
Cheers,
Ana
Can anyone suggest a good cleaning solution for test tubes with stain from corrosion pracs?
Thanks a lot.
Cheers,
Ana
Re: Cleaning test tubes
Hi Ana,
I use CLR. I buy it from Coles,let it soak then use a test tube brush to clean them.
Jodye
I use CLR. I buy it from Coles,let it soak then use a test tube brush to clean them.
Jodye
- Labbie
- Posts: 3240
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
Yes, but you must NOT laugh Nappy san, its really great. Learnt that one on the great site. For rust stains try fresh Oxalic acid.
Regards Labbie
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired
Re: Cleaning test tubes
I think I will give napi-san a try..the CLR is a bit smelly!
- fibreweb
- Posts: 620
- Joined: 20 Jul 2006, 10:00
- School: Oxley High School
- Suburb: Tamworth
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning test tubes
A tip for the future
I have a large supply of specimin jars ( like what you get to provide a specimin at pathology) they get used over and over again for the corrosion pracs, they have some residual staining but it doesn't matter. Saves trying to get the stains out of test tubes and stops test tubes being tied up whilst the stuff is corroding.
Wendy
I have a large supply of specimin jars ( like what you get to provide a specimin at pathology) they get used over and over again for the corrosion pracs, they have some residual staining but it doesn't matter. Saves trying to get the stains out of test tubes and stops test tubes being tied up whilst the stuff is corroding.
Wendy
Re: Cleaning test tubes
Sodium metabisulfite or oxalic acid, rust and potassium permanganate stains. No or very little scrubbing involved. Soak for few hours and rinse.
Cheers Jazz
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- Posts: 43
- Joined: 19 Jun 2009, 13:31
- Job Title: Science lab Assistant
- School: Mary Mackillop College
- Suburb: Wakeley
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning test tubes
Again, thank you so much for all suggestions. Will try which ones work quickly.
Have a great week ahead!
Have a great week ahead!
Re: Cleaning test tubes
I fill each test tube to the required level with 2m HCl and leave over night. (standing in a beaker). Rinse off next day, don't usually need to brush.
- lurra
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 23 Mar 2011, 07:54
- Job Title: Lab Tech
- School: Greystanes High School
- Suburb: Greystanes
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning test tubes
I'm with dime I use HCL works everytime leave overnigt and wash.
Also Sodium Hydroxide for the burnt sugar prac gets them clear if you soak over night.
Also Sodium Hydroxide for the burnt sugar prac gets them clear if you soak over night.
Lurra AKA Noona
Rosalie Cassar
Lab Tech
Greystanes H S
ROSALIE.CASSAR@det.nsw.edu.au
Rosalie Cassar
Lab Tech
Greystanes H S
ROSALIE.CASSAR@det.nsw.edu.au
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- Posts: 1795
- Joined: 20 Mar 2007, 10:00
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- Suburb: Tamworth
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
I have found that nothing works on our test tubes for rust stains. Have tried the hydrochloric acid, napisan, oxalic acid... I just can't seem to win! maybe I will try again this year and see what happens.
- Robdean
- Posts: 147
- Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
I find HCl works well getting rid of rust stains - just fill the tube to just above the stain with 4 - 6M HCl and leave for a couple of days in the fume cupboard (with a corrosive sign!!). Then wash as usual. I resuse the acid time and time again and it works every time! Have had the same bottle for years.
Re: Cleaning test tubes
Well I must be the laziest labbie around.
We do the rusting prac in 10ml culture tubes that I buy in bulk and work out at 7cents each. I dont even bother trying to wash them at that price, straight in the bin they go. I figure the time, water, cleaning chemicals just doesnt justify washing them. I have better things to do with my time lol,
We do the rusting prac in 10ml culture tubes that I buy in bulk and work out at 7cents each. I dont even bother trying to wash them at that price, straight in the bin they go. I figure the time, water, cleaning chemicals just doesnt justify washing them. I have better things to do with my time lol,
Re: Cleaning test tubes
My latest take on the rust experiment is to buy sleeves of 100 x 30mL sauce cups from our local Star Packaging company, with lids, and the little cherubs get little squares of steel wool to put in them. It's a win/win/win for us all.
1) The steel wool rusts better than nails
2) The set-ups don't occupy test-tube racks for days
3) The little containers can just get chucked out at the end of the experiment
4) At approx $6.50 for 100, it's really cheap.
1) The steel wool rusts better than nails
2) The set-ups don't occupy test-tube racks for days
3) The little containers can just get chucked out at the end of the experiment
4) At approx $6.50 for 100, it's really cheap.
Cheers, K
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
Great idea, Smiley! Do you have a galvanised alternative? Our kids do water, oil, air, water (nail completely submerged) with oil on the surface (I think?) and galvanised.
Re: Cleaning test tubes
We don't do a galvanized alternative. However we do this as a two-stage experiment. Stage one is water, slat water & air. Stage 2 is where the cherubs have to design their own experiment, with a limited range of gear - e.g. oil, boiled water (to remove air), varying strengths of salt water etc. We do offer to place other metals in the cups as a form of sacrificial anode (although we don't use that terminology with tinies). We are following the National Curriculum and frankly, I just do what I'm told. However, one could always just chuck in a tiny galvanized nail, and compare I guess.
Cheers, K
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- Posts: 1795
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
Ah yes - boiled water with oil on top to stop gas exchange! That's the one I was thinking of. And I think they do salt water as well. Definitely will be promoting this idea to the teachers!!!
- kimmy
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 01 Jun 2006, 10:00
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- School: Quirindi High School
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
I have a bucket of HCl for cleaning of glasswear. I wait till i have a bit that needs doing and I soak it over night. Works every time.
Good luck.
KIMMY
Good luck.
KIMMY
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Re: Cleaning test tubes
Re rust pracs -Bi-carb soln prevents rust. I've had a prac going since 2005 and while some of the testtubes with water, salt etc and nails are completely rusted to soup the bicarb just keeps on giving. I just top it up every so often. Gets 'em thinking.
- cherrycat22
- Posts: 7
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Rusty test tubes
I just keep all the rust effected test tubes set aside for next year