Australia's Science Forum

I have a dozen magnets that are covered in Fe filings. ( The students took the magnets OUT of the little snap-lock bags that I had supplied , before using the magnet). These magnets are new, and so very strong.

I usually just physically pull off the Fe, but I want my brand new magnets clean as poss.And I am pushed for time. Any ideas?

Hi Barbara

I have read about using adhesive tape to clean off the iron filings. I havent tried this myself so I'm not sure if it will work but its worth a try.

Good luck Nicky

Hello,

I have the same problem, We use a strond electromagnet (physic has it) and use that to attracht the filings off.

The tape method does work, but use gaffa tape.
You will loose most of the fillings.

Regards
Michelle

Nicole & Michelle
Yooz are BIG HUGE GENIOUSES! I cant belive that tape would be so quick & simple... nor that I hadnt thought of that before!

Thanks !

Thank you,
You have also helped me and I wasn't even looking for the answer!

Another way to protect them is wrapping them in cling wrap.
Marjan

Hello

When working with ironing filings we place the magnet into clip lock bags.

Tania

There is a very simple way to clean iron filings from a magnet. Use a brush from a dustpan and brush set. Just keep brushing until they come off. The last few tiny pieces can be picked off by hand.

I use a piece of Blutak - it usually takes all the filings off in one pass.

I tried the blutack method it removed some but not all the filings. I have since started using Plain old Masking Tape and that seems to remove most of the filings, just wrap the magnet in tape, press it down and then remove the tape and hey presto clean magnets.