Australia's Science Forum

Who knew that sand could be used as an abrasive for cleaning hard to get at glassware?

Well I didn't know but I do now and it works beautifully. It only took 2 years to learn. Think of all that glassware I can clean again and of all the lost time trying to get it clean before.

Thanks for the tip I didn't know and I've been doing this job for over 16 years! Just how do you use it? Not sure I can entirely picture it.
Cheers

To clean volumetric flasks ; I put in about a tablespoon of course sand, small ammount of water and then swirl and shake

Wow thanks Anne! Guess where I'll be heading when I get back to school after the holidays.... long jump pit..... shhhh don't tell the PE dept!

Good one Cindy
I have never heard of it before but sounds logical, hope your well haven't seen you on Chemwatch before so will be good to catch up!
Maureen

Here's one for you all.
I have always used rice for difficult glasswear to clean, such as flat bottom flasks!!!
Cheers
Mother

I use small marble chips and a small amount of abrasive cleaner for my hard to clean glassware. Hope all have a great holiday
Diana

Hi All,

her technique which is just as easy is to used (if your school has one) an Ultrasonicator, simply fill the glass vessel with water, turn it on and then wait until it Automatically turns off and all is clean again.

Cheers,

Robb.....

As some of our glass ware was so BADLY marked. I put some rice, sand and tap water, into our badly marked glass ware, put it onto the magnet stirrer machine, and left it going for about 20 mins. Its better then nappy san. Thank you all for those simple tips, I have soaked these _______________ in acid, bleach, nappy san, you name it. The sand & rice plus the stirrer have just done a wonderful job. Not that any of the teachers or head teacher would notice. But I do thank you chemtalk.