Australia's Science Forum

How does everyone clean wax dissecting blocks?
Do you clean them with disinfectant, remelt them, or something else?

Thanks

We don't have wax blocks......the kids get large shallow plastic trays for dissections, & they go in the dishwasher for a good hot wash.

Don't use them. I have used either cardboard or even large polystyrene trays from Coles, so that it's all chuck-able afterwards.

Peroxide would probably work - it would lift the left over proteins (blood) and sterilize at the same time.

we have the old home eco plastic chopping boards, can go in the dishwasher, or wash by hand with cold water, then scrub with bleach then rinse. cant stick pins in them though

I presume you put a sample in block of wax then slice with microtome knife drop shaving on surface of hot water till wax melts then fish out sample slice to put on slide.
I would just chop out sample than add wax to crucible for recycling

I have stainless steel trays with wax in them. I pour bleach to cover the surface after use then wash later with warm soapy water. When the surface becomes too chopped up I remelt the wax in the tray on a hotplate. Usually it stinks. Am checking into alternatives to use instead.
Lyn.

Sorry haven't heard of wax blocks for dissecting. I have changed to paper plates for dissections.

Thanks all. The polystyrene tray idea sounds like a goer, as you can pin out the rats and then chuck them, tray and all.I had been cleaning with disinfectant and hot soapy water; and remelted when they got chopped up. As Lyn says it stinks the place out, even with good ventilation.
Thanks again.