[Histonet] glassware cleaner

[Smith, Allen]

The choice of cleaners usually depends on what is being cleaned off the
glassware.  The best remover of silver deposits is nitric acid, which is
toxic, corrosive, and slightly volatile: you will need a fume hood, gloves,
and a neoprene or chloroprene apron.  
Citranox or Eradistain are good for removing the last traces of basic dyes:
they are as close to non-toxic as cleaning agents get.  Hydrochloric acid
will also remove basic dyes, but it is quite volatile and requires a good
fume hood.
Most acid dye residues wash out with water.  The few that don't can be
removed with Alconox.  Alconox is also good for removing traces of protein.
Alconox is only slightly toxic.
For really stubborn organic residues, chromic acid is the cleaner of last
resort.  Chromic acid is a 5% solution of chromium trioxide or sodium
dichromate in concentrated sulfuric acid.  It is frightfully corrosive
(gloves and apron!) and toxic as hell!  Even the residues of chromic acid
are toxic and must be SLOWLY neutralized with sodium hydroxide and saved for
a waste hauler.  (If you neutralize it too fast, the heat will break the
container.)

Allen A. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor of Anatomy
Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences
    Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Miami Shores, Florida  33161


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Lucas
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:41 PM
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] glassware cleaner

I would appreciate if anyone could recommend an excellent cleaning solution
for glassware and plastics, especially for silver (gms) stained glassware.
If there is a non-toxic brand available, that would be fantastic.

Thank you,

Paula Lucas
Bio-Path Medical Group


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