Looking for a speedy syringe and needle cleaning method

[KrisBKream]

The subject line pretty much says it. It's not that it takes me ages to clean my syringes, but with 2 curious cats and a 2 year old girl at home, anything that cuts down on "exposed syringe time" would be a bonus. Anyone have a favorite method? Or if you just want to share your method regardless of speed, I'm not a picky guy Thanks all

 

[Nunnster]

I am not sure I understand the question, but I have a bottle of vodka that I use to clean my stuff.

 

[MrByte]

by "exposed syringe time" do you mean the chance for someone/pet to stick themselves? If so, blunting your needles isn't hard; I use a dremel on the ones I wan blunted.

To clean, I use hot water at the kitchen sink, pull in then shoot it out a few times, then work the syringe in/out to get the water out, then take off the needle and put them both away in the mixing box.

 

[pinellaspete]

When I'm mixing I usually take a coffee cup, fill it with water and nuke it for 90 seconds. That makes the water really hot but not boiling.

When I'm done using one ingredient, I just put the tip of the syringe into the water and fill-flush it a few times, then put it onto a paper towel. Because the water is so hot the syringe air dries very quickly and is ready to be used for the next ingredient by the time I get the bottle opened.

CAUTION: I had some very hot water once, fresh from the microwave and used it to clean my syringe that was just used used to deposit my 100mg nic juice. SWOOSH!!! The nicotine was forced from a liquid to gaseous state almost instantly! It was pretty cool but not something I'd purposely do again! Nicotine has a very low flash point, so be careful.

Good luck.

Pete

 

[symphynity]

You need to exercise extreme caution heating water in the microwave , as it can heat a liquid beyond its boiling point , which can form a pressure bubble of super hot liquid beneath the surface. If you disturb it , it can erupt causing very severe burns. I wouldnt heat water for more than 60 seconds at a time.

 

[wendallb]

I use a small bottle of everclear for cleaning

 

[rkayw]

I do the same with hot water.

Some flavors though seem to linger, those go into my to be washed with soap & water container.

 

[KrisBKream]

thanks for all the great advice! cleaning them as I go with a bowl of hot water on hand is simple yet perfect. I can't believe I didn't think of that lol

 

[Boodle]

Swish in hot, soapy water, rinse with water from reverse osmosis tap, put it in 50/50 hot water/ PGA for 5 minutes then air dry. I think I have too many steps.

 

[Nikkita6]

To clean my syringes between mixings I fill one cup with 50% alcohol and 50% water mix, and fill a 2nd cup with plain hot water. First I fill the syringes several times (4-5) with alcohol/water mix, then expell the mixture after each fill, and then I repeat that process with just plain hot water ... works very well for me, and so far I have not contaminated any flavors or mixes.... I also use blunt tip needles so there is no risk of puncturing myself or someone else.

 

[Seabrook]

I use three tall skinny shot glasses - one for my hot water to rinse, one to hold Everclear which I syringe up and let stand for a few minutes, the other remains empty to stand my syringe in.

 

[Tracker II]

I'm not as paranoid about contaminated syringes as much as I am about the work environment. I saw a news clip once about how kitchen counter tops have more dangerous bacteria on them than toilets and bathroom sinks (think raw chicken - nuff said). So I make sure the counter tops are disinfected and clean before mixing. I also make sure that I'm alone so I don't have to worry about anyone walking through the kitchen coughing or sneezing around my open bottles and equipment.

Once I'm properly set up, I just suck mildly soapy water into the syringe and rinse with warm distilled water a few times and I'm done. I do this after mixing my batches and again when i pull them out to start a new session.

I haven't gotten sick yet from this method although a few days ago, I noticed that I do have a third arm growing out of my back.

 

[Spazmelda]

I use 18 gauge blunt needles (got at Tractor Supply and used dremel to cut off the sharp part). I just rinse the syringe and needle, letting the water run through the needle. Then I take the needle off, stick it inside the syringe, and throw the whole thing into a cup to let it dry. That's all.

 

[TallGrass]

You need to exercise extreme caution heating water in the microwave , as it can heat a liquid beyond its boiling point , which can form a pressure bubble of super hot liquid beneath the surface. If you disturb it , it can erupt causing very severe burns. I wouldnt heat water for more than 60 seconds at a time.

LOL.. that one made my day. Thanks!