Before a trip to the kitchen, many people are faced with the task of buying missing reagents, equipment, overalls, etc... In this article, we will consider the option of buying the necessary items not in specialized stores, but in regular stores or ordering on Amazon.
Many people do not know and do not realize that some everyday household products or items can be used in the laboratory. Especially in regions where there are no specialty stores or the risk of shopping in those stores is too high. This is where supermarkets, construction stores, auto parts stores, pharmacies and others come to the rescue.
This article will be constantly updated as new ideas come in. I ask all forum participants to share their experiences. What have you used from the store for the kitchen, and what know-how you have mastered from household items?
Many people do not know and do not realize that some everyday household products or items can be used in the laboratory. Especially in regions where there are no specialty stores or the risk of shopping in those stores is too high. This is where supermarkets, construction stores, auto parts stores, pharmacies and others come to the rescue.
This article will be constantly updated as new ideas come in. I ask all forum participants to share their experiences. What have you used from the store for the kitchen, and what know-how you have mastered from household items?
While working in the lab, your everyday clothes can get ruined. Chemical reagents emit unpleasant odors, can be caustic, and cause burns and irritation. Special attention is required to protect your eyes and respiratory organs. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a set of special work clothes. Usually this kind of protection is used during painting work, disinfection, disinsection, deratization, work with pesticides. Therefore, you need to find the appropriate department in the store.
For respiratory protection, you should buy a full-face respirator or half mask and antifog goggles to protect against dust/organic fumes/smoke/sawing/asbestos suitable for painting, staining, spraying, sanding and cutting.
It is best to use heavy overalls as your work clothes. It will protect your clothes and hair from smells and accidental spill of reagents.
In addition to a comfortable change of shoes, it is recommended to wear shoe covers.
Protect your hands with gloves. In most cases, normal latex or PVC gloves are sufficient, but in some cases it is mandatory to use chemical-resistant gloves, they are less comfortable, but guaranteed to protect you.
For respiratory protection, you should buy a full-face respirator or half mask and antifog goggles to protect against dust/organic fumes/smoke/sawing/asbestos suitable for painting, staining, spraying, sanding and cutting.
It is best to use heavy overalls as your work clothes. It will protect your clothes and hair from smells and accidental spill of reagents.
In addition to a comfortable change of shoes, it is recommended to wear shoe covers.
Protect your hands with gloves. In most cases, normal latex or PVC gloves are sufficient, but in some cases it is mandatory to use chemical-resistant gloves, they are less comfortable, but guaranteed to protect you.
All kinds of containers can be used in the kitchen, both for synthesis and for storing and transporting substances. For example, polypropylene (PP) drums with a capacity of 50-10-200 litres can be used to make a chemical reactor. A ready-made agitator for barrels can be purchased, or a construction mixer for concrete or paint can be used. In order to prevent reagents from affecting the metal shaft and stirrer blades, these parts should be encased in polypropylene pipes of suitable diameter.
Also, suitable for larger volumes is the Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) which has a capacity of 600 l to 1250 l and for which an agitator and a metal base can be ordered.
Plastic paint buckets with lids are highly recommended for storage or transport. Storage containers are also suitable.
For liquids, canisters for petroleum products, oils and lubricants are handy.
Before choosing a particular container, make sure that the material it is made of is suitable for use with your reagents.
Also, suitable for larger volumes is the Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) which has a capacity of 600 l to 1250 l and for which an agitator and a metal base can be ordered.
Plastic paint buckets with lids are highly recommended for storage or transport. Storage containers are also suitable.
For liquids, canisters for petroleum products, oils and lubricants are handy.
Before choosing a particular container, make sure that the material it is made of is suitable for use with your reagents.
Pay attention to the solvent shelves; they are usually in the paint department, but may be in other departments as well. Many useful solvents are used for household purposes. You can find different solvents in pure form, mixed with other solvents or water in stores. In some cases, extraction, purification, or dehydration will be needed. Study the composition of the solvent carefully and check it before using it.
You can find in stores:
Isopropyl alcohol,
Acetone,
Toluene,
Ethyl acetate,
Denatured ethyl alcohol,
and other solvents…
You can find in stores:
Isopropyl alcohol,
Acetone,
Toluene,
Ethyl acetate,
Denatured ethyl alcohol,
and other solvents…
It is not uncommon to use dry and aqueous alkaline solutions as pipe cleaners. When studying the composition of the product, pay attention to the following substances: sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Pay attention to the other fillers and dyes, not all detergents that contain the above substances can be used. Other fillers may ruin your product. Preferably, only alkalis or neutral substances and water should be used.
Sulfuric acid is used in a low concentration of 30-40% as an electrolyte for car batteries. To use it in the laboratory, you will need to evaporate the water.
It can also be found in higher concentrations of 90-95% as an effluent cleaner. But because a sulfuric acid purifier does not have to be high purity to serve its purpose, impure spent acids are often used. Such acid is not suitable for acidifying free base, but it can be used to make hydrochloric acid. Such acid it is effective in treating effluents blocked by organic materials, but should be used with caution and should never be used in conjunction with alkaline wastewater purifiers.
It can also be found in higher concentrations of 90-95% as an effluent cleaner. But because a sulfuric acid purifier does not have to be high purity to serve its purpose, impure spent acids are often used. Such acid is not suitable for acidifying free base, but it can be used to make hydrochloric acid. Such acid it is effective in treating effluents blocked by organic materials, but should be used with caution and should never be used in conjunction with alkaline wastewater purifiers.
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