DIY Labware Cleaner

Well, dear readers… this is going to be the last video for a while. I’m starting a new job, and I know it’s going to be too much to keep filming and uploading on a somewhat regular basis. I’ve been having trouble keeping up anyway, but I know with a full-time job there’s no way. I’m very conflicted because this channel (and blog) are absolutely what I would rather be doing with my life, but my bank account is crying out for help. I have no choice but to put this aside for a little while.

In the meantime, here’s a simple recipe for whipping up a powerful lab cleaner. A national supply house sells a formulation *very similar* to this recipe, and it is marketed as “if this doesn’t remove the stain, nothing will.” I recently gave away all of the disgusting beakers and such that I had laying around, which was rather poor planning for making this video! My plan for the last several years has been to sell laboratory chemicals, and this was sort of a “proof of concept” to see if I could make this cleaner as well. One day, that plan of mine will be realized! Until then, here’s how to make your own!

Here’s the “official” recipe:
1. Dissolve 2.4 grams sodium hydroxide in about 200 mL distilled water. Stir to dissolve.
2. Add 16.9 grams oleic acid to the sodium hydroxide solution.
3. Once the solution clears, add 22.8 grams of trisodium phosphate.
4. Add enough water to make up a total mass of 300 grams. Stir with overhead stirrer or stirring rod to homogenize. Transfer to storage bottle and allow to sit for a day or two to set the gel.

Now, I realize that I tease at the end of the video and say “I’m planning a video where I’ll be messing up glassware.” That was edited before the new job situation, and so that is still on the list of videos I want to make, but who knows when I’ll get to it. And with that, I shall say: See you later, Friends!