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Safer Alternatives to Hazardous Cleaning Products
For years, chemists have been
searching for effective, non-hazardous cleaners, suitable for removing greases, waxes,
label adhesives, permanent marker, and other substances from laboratory benches, glassware
or equipment. Initially, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) were as an effective degreaser.
However, due to their ozone-depleting properties, ther use has been phased out by
the Clean Air Act, Montreal Protocol, and the EPA. Many chemists have switched to
halogenated hydrocarbons like dichloromethane and chloroform for cleaning. Although these
solvents are effective cleaners, they are hazardous and should be used only under a fume
hood.
For heavy-duty cleaning of
glassware, strong chromic/sulfuric acid baths are often used. Although these baths
effectively remove baked-on residues and stubborn deposits, they are also poisonous,
corrosive and contain environmentally unfriendly heavy metals. This makes exposure,
handling, and disposal of these baths a challenge for the laboratory.
To minimize the hazards associated
with cleaning in the laboratory, Mallinckrodt offers a line of safer cleaning solutions
and packaging:
- CHEM-CLEAR Full Strength for removing
adhesives and permanent marker
- CHEM-SOLV concentrate for heavy-duty
cleaning of glass and plasticware
- Klean-AR bath for heavy-duty cleaning
of volumetric glassware
Cleaning Solution Selection Guide
| Product |
Application |
Cleaning Challenge |
Method of Application |
Ready to Use |
Special Features |
| CHEM-CLEAR, Full Strength |
Specialty cleaning |
Adhesive labels and permanent marker |
Spray on, wipe off |
Yes |
Non-corrosive, non-halogenated |
| CHEM-SOLV |
Heavy-duty cleaning of glass and plasticware |
Insoluble organic residues, dried blood,
greases |
Bath |
Concentrate, mix 20 ml in 1 L of water |
NaOH based, recommended in EPA method SW846 |
| Klean-AR |
Heavy-duty cleaning of general and volumetric
glassware |
Insoluble organic residues, dried blood |
Bath |
Yes |
Premixed sulfuric/ chromic acid solution |
CHEM-CLEAR Full Strength Cleaner for
Adhesives and Permanent Marker
 For removing tough, baked-on label adhesives
or permanent marker, use CHEM-CLEAR Full Strength Cleaner. This cleaner quickly removes
these tough deposits. Just spray the cleaner on, wait five (5) seconds and wipe clean. No
more scraping or soaking. For ease of use, CHEM-CLEAR Full Strength cleaner is available
in a 240 mL spray bottle and an economical 1 L refill bottle.
CHEM-SOLV Heavy-duty Concentrate for
Cleaning Glass and Plasticware
 Mallinckrodt
CHEM-SOLV laboratory glass and plasticware cleaner is a safer and environmentally friendly
alternative to chromic/sulfuric acid baths. This sodium hydroxide-based cleaner
effectively removes baked on organic residues, dried blood and other difficult to remove
insolubles. The solution is free from interfering anions such as: phosphates, borates,
silicates, aluminates, sulfates, carbonates and halides, making it suitable for use in
cleaning labware used in critical trace metal applications. In fact, CHEM-SOLV cleaner is
recommended for use in EPA method SW846.
To use CHEM-SOLV cleaner, simply
dilute 20-50 ml of the concentrate in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water and immerse
soiled pipettes, columns, flasks or other apparatus into the solution. After just a few
minutes, remove and rinse the equipment with enough water to eliminate all traces of the
cleaner. Although not required, the cleaning process can be accelerated by heating the
solution to 40-50° C or through brushing, swirling or ultrasonic vibration.
CHEM-SOLV is not recommended for use in cleaning volumetric glassware.
Klean-AR Heavy-duty Bath for
Cleaning General and Volumetric Glassware
 Klean-AR solution is a
pre-mixed, ready-to-use sulfuric/chromic acid bath designed to remove baked-on organic
residues and other difficult to remove deposits from laboratory glassware. Klean-AR is
safe to use with volumetric glassware. Unlike sodium hydroxide baths, this solution will
not dissolve the glass or the ceramic lines on the volumetric glassware. Dissolving the
glass can cause a change in the volume of your volumetric glassware, making your
measurements inaccurate and reducing the life of your glassware.
Klean-AR is reusable. A
reddish-brown to orange color indicates the solution is still capable of removing
deposits. Once the solution begins to turn green, it should be discarded and replaced with
a fresh solution. Instructions for use and safety precautions are on the product
label. Consult the MSDS for detailed safety information.
Cleaning Products
|
Description |
Size |
Product Number |
|
CHEM-CLEAR, Full Strength |
240 mL |
V694-02 |
|
CHEM-CLEAR, Full Strength |
1 L |
V694-08 |
|
CHEM-SOLV |
1 qt |
2157-04 |
|
Klean-AR |
9 lb |
6622-08 |
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