BASICS OF BIOCHEMISTRY – BMLS-106-18
EXPERIMENT-1
AIM: Cleaning of laboratory Glassware.
� Introduction
Good laboratory technique demands clean glassware, because the most carefully executed piece
of work may give an erroneous result if dirty glassware is used. In all instances, glassware must
be physically clean; it must be chemically clean; and in many cases, it must be bacteriologically
clean or sterile. All glassware must be absolutely grease-free.
� Cleaning of new glassware
New Glassware should be appropriately treated and cleaned before use. Newly purchased
glassware may be slightly alkaline and should be treated overnight with 5% HCl. This
neutralizes free alkali found on surface. This treatment is not necessary for borosilicate
glassware. Acid treated glassware must be first rinsed with tap water followed by thorough
rinsing with distilled water.
� Procedure
� General Procedure for All Glassware
1. Rinse all the glassware immediately after use.
2. Glassware used for staining may get stubborn after drying.
3. To remove any excess organic oils or stains rinse glassware briefly with an organic
solvent such as acetone. Acetone rinsing should go into organic waste.
4. Place the glassware in hot water and then in detergent solution.
5. With warm tap water, use an appropriate brush and soapy water to scrub the inside of
curved glassware.
6. Make sure that brush reaches all the parts of glassware inside as well as outside.
7. Remove soapsuds using warm tap water.
8. Always clean the glassware in groups i.e. Beakers, test tubes, slides etc.
9. To avoid hard water stains, use deionized water or reverse osmosis water to wash away
tap water.
10. Rinse again with acetone to remove water. This step helps to expedite the glass drying
process.
11. Keep the glassware in Hot-air-oven at 140-160 degree centigrade for drying.
� Precautions:
1. While the general cleaning solutions are harmless to skin contact, it is always wise to
wear chemical resistant gloves, a lab safety coat, and eye protection.
BASICS OF BIOCHEMISTRY – BMLS-106-18
� Special cleaning of glassware
If the glassware is cloudy or contain coagulated organic material, it should be cleaned with a
chemical solution like chromic acid or nitric acid. Care must be taken while washing with
chemical as it is carcinogenic. Extra care must be taken to make sure that chromic acid solution
is disposed off properly after washing.
� Preparation of Chromic acid
Potassium dichromate 400.0 gm
Distilled water 4000.0 ml
Sulfuric acid 400.0 ml
1. Dissolve potassium dichromate in water.
2. Pour solution into crock, slowly add sulfuric acid.
3. Keeps until solution turns dark brown, depends upon use. Label the container with date of
preparation.
� Cleaning Procedure
1. Rinse glassware with running tap water.
2. Take a bucket and mix appropriate amount of detergent in water and put glassware in it.
3. Rinse glassware three times with running tap water inside and outside.
4. Now take the glassware to acid bath and make sure that glassware remains soaked in acid
for 24 hrs.
5. Wash glassware under running tap water.
6. Rinse in Distilled water and place on filter paper.
7. Finally dry the glassware by placing it Hot-air oven.
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