Jump to content

Cleaning lab glassware


pHzero

Recommended Posts

Does anyone know if methanol's a suitable cleaning solvent for cleaning lab glassware? Or would I be better off going for something more expensive like propanone or propan-2-ol?

I know methanol's more toxic, but that shouldn't be a problem as long as the area's well-ventilated, right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We use a combination for general cleaning (mostly optics but some glassware), the combination is normally acetone followed by IPA, or methonal followed by IPA, or if we are really bored we use all 3, with IPA being last, as it leaves less of a residue...

 

We tend to use them in 'clean hoods' with extractor fans...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah right, i see. Sounds very thorough though, do you think methanol alone would be sufficient for an amateur chemist like myself? You can get methanol for about £1/litre, you see, whereas IPA or acetone's about double that price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Acetone is sometimes a better solvent than methanol (it obviously depends what you are trying to wash off). IPA isn't a bad solvent, but it's rather viscous so things dissolve slowly in it.

Methanol is the solvent we use in the lab as the first attempt- if methanol doesn't work we try something else. It's toxic and flammable but so are most solvents; methanol is cheap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Acetone is sometimes a better solvent than methanol (it obviously depends what you are trying to wash off). IPA isn't a bad solvent, but it's rather viscous so things dissolve slowly in it.

Methanol is the solvent we use in the lab as the first attempt- if methanol doesn't work we try something else. It's toxic and flammable but so are most solvents; methanol is cheap.

 

Excellent, thanks for the info. I think I'll buy 25l of MeOH then, and 5l of Me2CO for stuff that MeOH doesn't clean off. Me2CO's about the same price as IPA so I suppose it makes sense to use the least viscous and most volatile one. Plus I could probably get used IPA from my mum's work if I needeed it; they use it to sterilise cables for pacemakers. A quick wash off afterwards with MeOH should get rid of any impurities the used IPA leaves behind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.