Just confirming as I have a teacher asking for bromine water, cyclohexene and cyclohexane for a prac coming up. So it needs to be handled in a fumehood?
Cleaning Glassware Fast!
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 08 Nov 2023, 10:53
- Job Title: Laboratory Technician
- School: GPHS
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Regards, Labbie Seth 
Lab Tech NSW Sydney

Lab Tech NSW Sydney
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 07 Jun 2024, 10:08
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: Liverpool, NSW
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Agreed it is ridiculous. It's for Year 12's half-yearly exam and they need to perform it individually in the fume cupboard. I'll have two stations in the fume cupboard and they will need to take turns completing the experiment. Not ideal at all!
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 07 Jun 2024, 10:08
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: Liverpool, NSW
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Yes it will need to be conducted in the fume cupboardLabbieSeth wrote: ↑19 Jun 2024, 08:31Just confirming as I have a teacher asking for bromine water, cyclohexene and cyclohexane for a prac coming up. So it needs to be handled in a fumehood?

-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 08 Nov 2023, 10:53
- Job Title: Laboratory Technician
- School: GPHS
- State/Location: NSW
-
- Posts: 639
- Joined: 28 Jan 2021, 13:24
- Job Title: Lab Assistant
- School: MCS
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Make sure the fume cupboard is left turned on until it is all cleaned up!
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
For pracs involving lots of chemical testing I always try to push for spotting plates instead of test tubes. You use smaller quantities that way and the cleanup is oh so much easier. Granted having both organics and inorganics makes waste disposal more difficult but you could have designated organic spotting plates.
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 07 Jun 2024, 10:08
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: Liverpool, NSW
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
I was thinking to use spotting plates but I'm not really certain on how to use them or dispose of the chemicals in the wells once finished with the pracs.Milo wrote: ↑22 Jul 2024, 14:15 For pracs involving lots of chemical testing I always try to push for spotting plates instead of test tubes. You use smaller quantities that way and the cleanup is oh so much easier. Granted having both organics and inorganics makes waste disposal more difficult but you could have designated organic spotting plates.
With organic and inorganic chemical waste disposal, what is the best way to separate them without having incompatibilities?
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
When I collect waste I normally keep it in a mixed bottle, so in this case I would rinse the plates into a heavy metal waste bottle, a halogenated organic bottle, and a non-halogenated organic bottle. You would then try to have separate spotting plates for these.
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 08 Nov 2023, 10:53
- Job Title: Laboratory Technician
- School: GPHS
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Hi all,
I have a lot of stained glassware that I am planning on cleaning before the end of the term. I would usually acid wash the glassware to remove these sort of stains (mainly brown stains from the potassium permanganate in elephants toothpaste), however I have quite a lot of glassware needing to be cleaned and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to do a bulk stain removal wash? Does anything else clean these stains other than acid?
Ideally, I'd like to minimise the amount of chemical waste generated and the amount of chemicals I handle throughout the process.
Any and all input is welcome as there has to be a better way than what I have been doing in the past.
I have a lot of stained glassware that I am planning on cleaning before the end of the term. I would usually acid wash the glassware to remove these sort of stains (mainly brown stains from the potassium permanganate in elephants toothpaste), however I have quite a lot of glassware needing to be cleaned and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to do a bulk stain removal wash? Does anything else clean these stains other than acid?
Ideally, I'd like to minimise the amount of chemical waste generated and the amount of chemicals I handle throughout the process.
Any and all input is welcome as there has to be a better way than what I have been doing in the past.
Regards, Labbie Seth 
Lab Tech NSW Sydney

Lab Tech NSW Sydney
-
- Posts: 639
- Joined: 28 Jan 2021, 13:24
- Job Title: Lab Assistant
- School: MCS
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
If you've got enough space, set them up to soak in napisan! warm water and a sprinkle of napisan often works (not always). It's my first go-to for any glassware stains. After that, I have a 2L bottle of HCL that I pour into the glassware and soak then return to the bottle. It's labeled as cleaning HCl and I don't know its exact concentration.
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 08 Nov 2023, 10:53
- Job Title: Laboratory Technician
- School: GPHS
- State/Location: NSW
-
- Posts: 967
- Joined: 15 Dec 2015, 10:49
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: FCAC
- State/Location: QLD
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Hydrogen peroxide cleans permanganate stains off right before your eyes . Fizz fizz fizz .
Only need 6% stuff. Pour it in the flask ,swish it around for a minute . Pour it into the next , swish it around etc etc etc . Only need about 50mls and will do maybe 1/2 dozen flasks easy
HCl will sort rust left overnight .
Only need 6% stuff. Pour it in the flask ,swish it around for a minute . Pour it into the next , swish it around etc etc etc . Only need about 50mls and will do maybe 1/2 dozen flasks easy
HCl will sort rust left overnight .
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 07 Jun 2024, 10:08
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: Liverpool, NSW
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Hey all, happy 2025!
I found these *gorgeous* separating funnels in the cupboard left by the previous lab tech
I've tried soaking in hot water and Napisan, 2M HCl, 2M NaOH, 6% hydrogen peroxide...... nothing is working.
Does anyone have an idea what could be in these funnels and/or how to clean it?!?!
I have no clue what type of experiment it was used for or how long it has been on the shelf for.
Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated otherwise I think it may be time to bin and replace.
I found these *gorgeous* separating funnels in the cupboard left by the previous lab tech

I've tried soaking in hot water and Napisan, 2M HCl, 2M NaOH, 6% hydrogen peroxide...... nothing is working.


Does anyone have an idea what could be in these funnels and/or how to clean it?!?!
I have no clue what type of experiment it was used for or how long it has been on the shelf for.
Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated otherwise I think it may be time to bin and replace.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Posts: 967
- Joined: 15 Dec 2015, 10:49
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: FCAC
- State/Location: QLD
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Hi Nads ,
First thing I do when cleaning separating funnels is pull the tap out .
This allows you to flush more washing solution through them quicker and easier .
I often bend the wire on test-tube brushes to reach the sides if things like these .
It does look like some sort of grease .I think I'd try in hot soapy water first .
then maybe turps . If Turps removes it ( with the brush ) , then that will wash out easily with soapy water afterwards .
Pipe cleaners are good for the glass tube at the bottom .Some times I twist a couple together to get it fat enough .
First thing I do when cleaning separating funnels is pull the tap out .
This allows you to flush more washing solution through them quicker and easier .
I often bend the wire on test-tube brushes to reach the sides if things like these .
It does look like some sort of grease .I think I'd try in hot soapy water first .
then maybe turps . If Turps removes it ( with the brush ) , then that will wash out easily with soapy water afterwards .
Pipe cleaners are good for the glass tube at the bottom .Some times I twist a couple together to get it fat enough .
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Labbie
- Posts: 3289
- Joined: 28 Nov 2006, 10:00
- Job Title: Retired
- Suburb: At Home
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Thank you
Regards Labbie
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired

-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 07 Jun 2024, 10:08
- Job Title: Lab Technician
- School: Liverpool, NSW
- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cleaning Glassware Fast!
Thank you bigmack!!
The turps with a test tube brush worked wonders!
Thanks for the additional tip on removing the tap, I didn't know that was possible.
The turps with a test tube brush worked wonders!

Thanks for the additional tip on removing the tap, I didn't know that was possible.