Australia's Science Forum

Could anyone tell me how and where to store litmus paper. Our red and blue both look red! The blue has turned a real red/pink colour - not even a blue tinge.
I'm not sure of the self life of litmus paper - but maybe that is the problem.
Would appreciate some advice.

We store ours in the little black containers you buy rolls of photographic film in. No problems as a result and they last for years with no discolouration.

Who buys photographic film these days? And aren't lots of the containers translucent anyway?

Sorry Richard, just stirring.

Actually, we store ours with those little packets of silica gel that come in lots of packing materials, vitamin jars etc.

If you want real drama, try storing Cobalt Chloride paper in the tropics!

Cheers, K

I can just imagine, Kristin. I store my cobalt chloride papers in a desiccator.That way they last for ever.
Lada

If you ask at you local photo shop for the canisters,they usually have a stash of them, if not ask them to save you a few, I did this and ended up with a shopping bag full, more than enough for what I needed them for.
cheers
Lisa

Hi Di,
I revitalise the blue litmus by holding the booklets over an open bottle of conc. ammonia in the fume cupboard. Just fan them a little to let the fumes have an effect. Blue litmus turns from pink to blue again.
Lyn.

Hi Di

I store some litmus paper in a jar with a few drops of ammonia. Put something between the paper and the ammonia so only the fumes get to the paper. Works ok.

Julie

Sorry - need I say that the jar is labeled accordingly (of course)
Julie

Thanks everyone,

I now know what to do - I really do enjoy reading all posts and I have got some great ideas. Thanks for the help and keep up the good work.