Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: How to remove brown stains off beaker
TriiodideFrog
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 108
Registered: 27-9-2020
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 00:59
How to remove brown stains off beaker


View user's profile View All Posts By User
TriiodideFrog
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 108
Registered: 27-9-2020
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 01:02


There seem to be some brown stains on the bottom of my beaker. Does anyone know how to remove it? Thanks in advance.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
EthidiumBromide
Harmless
*




Posts: 42
Registered: 27-9-2020
Member Is Offline

Mood: Effervescent

[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 01:20


If there was a concrete chemical causing these stains, then it would be easier to tell if there was a chemical method of removing the stains (for instance, stains from KMnO4/MnO2 easily come off with a mix of vinegar and 3% H2O2).
But being generic, see if you can brush them off with an old toothbrush or something like that.

[Edited on 15-11-2020 by EthidiumBromide]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
B(a)P
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1114
Registered: 29-9-2019
Member Is Offline

Mood: Festive

[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 02:10


What caused the stains?
View user's profile View All Posts By User
MidLifeChemist
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 192
Registered: 4-7-2019
Location: West Coast USA
Member Is Offline

Mood: precipitatory

[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 09:52


Soaking overnight in dilute hydrochloric acid has cleaned every stain on glassware I've had so far. But my stains are usually from metal salts. Iron (III) compound stains are often brown.

Unless I know the stain is from Iodine, then I use a Sodium thiosulfate solution. Iodine stains are often brown.

Of course, if it an organic material, Acetone may do the trick.

Good luck!

View user's profile View All Posts By User
DraconicAcid
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 4278
Registered: 1-2-2013
Location: The tiniest college campus ever....
Member Is Offline

Mood: Semi-victorious.

[*] posted on 15-11-2020 at 10:23


If it's organic, but acetone does not do the trick, a small amount of boiling nitric acid will rip it off like a bandaid. Just make sure you've got a fume hood.



Please remember: "Filtrate" is not a verb.
Write up your lab reports the way your instructor wants them, not the way your ex-instructor wants them.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
TriiodideFrog
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 108
Registered: 27-9-2020
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 26-11-2020 at 18:20


Thanks for the advice! The dumb brown stain came off. I think its a mixture of lithium salts and something organic.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
aromaticfanatic
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 173
Registered: 10-9-2019
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 26-11-2020 at 21:48


In case anyone else has issues, letting a hot NaOH solution sit in the glass will do the trick. It eats away a thin layer of the glass essentially creating a new surface.



View user's profile View All Posts By User
teodor
National Hazard
****




Posts: 872
Registered: 28-6-2019
Location: Heerenveen
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 27-11-2020 at 03:05


Quote: Originally posted by EthidiumBromide  

(for instance, stains from KMnO4/MnO2 easily come off with a mix of vinegar and 3% H2O2).
[Edited on 15-11-2020 by EthidiumBromide]


Actually very diluted mixture of H2SO4 and H2O2 (few mls of each per liter of water) is potent enough to remove not only MnO2 but PbO2, Fe(OH)3 and many other (transitional) metal oxides. Put there and check in a day.

[Edited on 27-11-2020 by teodor]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Bedlasky
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1219
Registered: 15-4-2019
Location: Period 5, group 6
Member Is Offline

Mood: Volatile

[*] posted on 27-11-2020 at 03:39


Teodor: I had issues remove iron even with conc. HCl. Oxalic acid is the best for removing iron oxides.



View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top