Cleaning Glassware

[DarrellG]

I just picked up some Karter GG-17 500ml Erlenmeyer flasks from Wizard Labs. This is the first time I'll be working with borosilicate. Was hoping some experienced DIY'ers could chime in.

I've read that new glassware can be a bit alkaline and it's best to rinse with 1% HCl before use. Do any of you do this, or will a good rinse with distilled water suffice?

Handling clean-up: Typical non-abrasive dish soap followed by a distilled water rinse. Correct?

Ultrasonic cleaner or autoclave. Are either of these an absolute must have?

Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.

 

[IDJoel]

A smidgen of Dawn dish soap and thorough wash, followed by a couple of good rinsing with hot tap water, and I am good to go.

After mixing, I usually even skip the dish soap, just a good rinse with hot tap water and drip dry. I only revert to dish soap if I notice a lingering scent from previous odors or a film/build-up appearing.

 

[ChelsB]

I rinse mine, shake rubbing alcohol and rinse really well. I make sure no smell lingers. Seems to work for me. I don't think fancy equipment is necessary. But I'm also pretty new at this.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Dawn and water. What else new glassware may wish?
After first washing - just rinsing when needed. I have used no soap for years.
Interestingly, borosilicate glass will be leaching minute quantities of boron for years. As I understand - no health related worries. Anyway, about any other material will be leaching something as well.

 

[man00ver]

I've read that new glassware can be a bit alkaline and it's best to rinse with 1% HCl before use.

I hadn't heard about alkalinity of glass before. If I wanted to deal with it, I'd probably fill the bottle with a solution of hot water and a common household acid (such as lemon juice or vinegar) and let it sit for some time, maybe 24 hours or so. Then dump it, wash it with dish soap, rinse, and proceed with intended use.

 

[NCC]

Unless there's some apparent contaminant or odor, I just rinse with hot tap water.
Hopefully, you're not taking eliquid intravenously. If you are, your concerns about the cleanliness of your glassware is misplaced.

The liquid will be vaporized at the boiling temperature of water, or higher, right? There's your autoclave action. <chuckles>

 

[DaveP]

Hot water wash followed by air drying and if necessary, a paper towel inserted and rotated to remove the little water vapor haze that remains.

Considering that we consume more products these days from HDPE and LDPE bottles, are we worried about glass?

 

[DarrellG]

Unless there's some apparent contaminant or odor, I just rinse with hot tap water.
Hopefully, you're not taking eliquid intravenously. If you are, your concerns about the cleanliness of your glassware is misplaced.

Way to be a kill joy. I was very much looking forward to a slow Custard drip.

@DaveP When I don't have much in the way of answers, I entertain every concern I can imagine. But I do hear ya, and there doesn't appear to be anything serious to worry about. I'm more concerned with getting peanut butter in my chocolate at this point.

This is where I came across the mention of Alkaline:
Cleaning Lab Glass

For our purposes it does appear that a simple wash will do the trick; a little bit of a weak acid if we're being nit-picky.


Thanks for all of your input, everyone.

 

[abn75]

Ehhh I just stick mine in the ultrasonic cleaner at around 80*C for a couple of hours, with one or two 15 minute cycles in it. Hot water and some alcohol and I'm good.

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