How to Wash Your Lab Glassware

Cole-Parmer® Freestanding General-Purpose Glassware/Dish Washer

Whether your lab has an established process for cleaning glassware or is looking to create one, your best option may depend on three variables. These are: the types of contaminants you encounter, the glassware types you use, and any requirements based on your laboratory’s standard operating procedures.

Here are three options:

Hand wash in tubs with an acid or base wash, rinse, or soak, or with hot water and soap. After washing, you must dispose of acids and bases appropriately. Because water will likely reach a maximum of 120ºF, sanitization or sterilization for this method is required to be done in an autoclave. Lab glassware can be dried by hand, on a drying rack, or in an oven. The overall time expended for hand washing is significant and may even necessitate a designated lab hand washer.

Use automatic residential dishwashers. These are not designed for use with laboratory chemicals and contaminants. They contain baskets more suitable for plates and bowls rather than beakers, flasks, and narrow-neck glassware. Results are not guaranteed, and the warranty is likely to be void when used for nonresidential purposes.

Use automatic laboratory glassware washers. Created to clean a wide range of lab glassware and related contaminants, the lab glassware washer requires an initial investment but can speed up the washing process. The lab washer interior has stainless steel chambers and other components that can withstand use with common lab chemicals.

Some lab washers have options such as high heat, for removing difficult substances such as agar, waxes, or oil. Optional spindle racks hold narrow-neck items or graduated cylinders for safe cleaning. Pipette and other glassware-specific inserts work similarly. Purified water rinse and HEPA-filtered forced air drying are among additional options.

Lab glassware washer detergent is formulated to meet specific needs.

A time, cost, and energy-use analysis may help you determine which is your best option.