The Best Ways To Clean Chemistry Equipment

There are many considerations to know when it comes to proper lab safety. If you work in a chemistry or biological lab, you understand personal protective equipment, proper footwear, and safe handling practices are necessary to maintain a compliant work environment. Still, you may not know the correct cleaning techniques following experiments or research. Here are some of the best ways to clean chemistry equipment to help you stay on top of your lab’s safety.

Keep a Consistent Cleaning Schedule

Chemistry equipment undergoes many experiments with different chemicals, elements, and other materials. The last thing you want is to see debris and chemical residue left over on equipment when you need it. Therefore, you should keep a consistent cleaning schedule to ensure that equipment remains spotless.

Laboratory checklists can help keep everyone organized. Laboratory inventory tracking software can help all the same. Setting cleaning habits keeps everything in check so that chemicals, personal protective equipment, and supplies remain in their proper locations.

Use Chemical-Grade Safety Brushes

Of course, the best way to clean chemistry equipment is to use laboratory-grade cleaning brushes. These tools can handle any rigorous cleaning jobs for various pieces of equipment. For example, there are a variety of test tube brushes designed with different bristles and tips for efficient cleaning. You can also find flask brushes, beaker brushes, funnel brushes, pipette brushes, and many others for each piece of laboratory equipment. Using a lab-specific brush further aids in removing dirt, debris, and stubborn residue with simple cleaning agents or warm, soapy water.

Dry With Microfiber Towels

After you’ve cleaned the equipment, make sure to hand-dry the item with a microfiber towel. You should opt for microfiber cloths because they don’t leave particles behind like paper towels might. Also, the microfiber surface allows you to clean glassware without risking scratches or cracks. You can use microfiber cloths on all other surface areas as well. With all this considered, you should see a spotless chemistry lab that’s ready for the next experiment.