Australia's Science Forum

Hi everyone

My name is sam and im new the chemtalk and to the work of lab tech's I have been in my position for the last two months and I have no science back ground so I've found the site great

I have a question about cleaning equipment that has been used for disection ???? I was sure that I had seen something about this on here somewhere but I haven't been able to find it so any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks heaps
sammy

Hi Sammy

I wash my dissecting equipment with hot soapy water, and then rinse it well and leave to dry overnight or until it is completely dry, I dont put it in the dishwasher cos I wasnt sure what the washing powder would do to it.

cheers
Lisa

Thanks heaps lisa
I thought I would just double check to be safe

G'day Sammy,
Welcome to the best site out for helping Science Laboratory Technicians in Australia.
I do the same as Lisa except for one thing. After cleaning and a thorough rinse in water I then rinse my dissecting equipment in Methylated Spirits. Why? It takes away the water (and therefore any rust) and also sterilises the equipment. Leave to dry on a paper towel. Return the Methylated Spirits to the bottle and mark it for dissection purposes only.
Good Luck
Maree

Mine all goes through the dishwasher and I haven't had any problems with that. Before I had a dishwasher, though, I did the same as Maree. Wash it in ordinary detergent and hot water, then rinse it with metho and allow it to dry.

THANKS HEAPS GUYS

I LOVE THIS SITE IT IS SO HELPFUL

Make sure you remove the scalpel blades from their handles as soon as possible other wise they will rust very quickly. Not that you would reuse the blades but the rust gets into the handles too

Hi Sammy,
I do same as Maree.After washing I rinse with a little metho.
We also bought a large number od disposable scalpels. Great, one use and chuck.
Lada

Hi Sammy, I do the same as the others. I also line the storage containers with aluminium foil shinny side up. This helps stop any rusting.

hi there Sam,
Just remember if you can not get to clean it straight away put them in the freezer till you can get around to washing them up - it avoids a smelly prep room. I trick I learnt after a smellllly prep room left for a weekend by mistake from a teacher.
welcome to the wondeful world of Lab Land
we are a great mob.

KIMMY

As always, you all have some timely advice.
We are dissecting rats next period, so the using metho idea is very handy.
Thanks again.
Megan