TITLE: Standard operating procedure of glassware cleaning
AUTHORS: Yingyu Hu

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block">In our Marine Microbial Macroecology Lab, we focus on microalgae cultivation and macromolecule measurement. We expect all lab members to use the standard operating procedure of glassware cleaning, so that (1) personal safety and environmental safety are both under control; (2) the shared acid bath is not contaminated; and  (3) glassware is proper cleaned for the research.</div></div>

[STEPS]
?. [Wash]
Dispose hazardous material in the appropriate waste location.
?. [Wash]
Remove filter or other items from the glassware.
?. [Wash]
Put small items, such as filter holder mesh, stir bar, cap…etc. in a beaker or container, so that they won’t get lost during washing.
?. [Wash]
Rinse glassware with tap water to remove dirt, stain, and residue of chemicals.
?. [Wash]
Soak small items in the glassware detergent bath, make sure the glassware is filled with detergent bath and no air bubbles are seen. Label the detergent bath container or tray with name and date to have lab members informed.
?. [Wash]
For oversized items, fill the item with detergent bath full or partially, cap the item and flip them for a better soak. Place items in a tray to avoid detergent spill. Label the tray with name and date to have lab members informed.
?. [Wash]
Rinse glassware with tap water and then DI water.
?. [Acid wash    ]
All glassware must be detergent washed and spotless before going into acid bath.
?. [Acid wash    ]
Place glassware gently and carefully into the bath tank.
?. [Acid wash    ]
Check the position of extraction arm before removing the lid of the acid bath tank, which should be over the acid bath tank.
?. [Acid wash    ]
Place small items such as caps, stir bars, filter mesh…etc. into a bottle or a small basket. Fill the bottle with acid, cap the bottle.
?. [Acid wash    ]
Soak small sized items in the acid-bath tank, make sure the glassware is filled with acid and no air bubbles are seen.
?. [Acid wash    ]
For oversized items, fill the item with acid(full or partially), cap the item and flip them for a better soak. Place items in a second container (for example, polypropylene pan) to avoid acid spill. Label the tray with name and date to have lab members informed.
?. [Rinse  ]
Fill a carboy with DI water.
?. [Rinse  ]
Empty acid from the items and allow acid drip back into the bath for a few moments.
?. [Rinse  ]
Transfer them from the acid bath into a clean pan.
?. [Rinse  ]
Cover the acid bath and clean the acid spill with baking soda immediately.
?. [Rinse  ]
Check the position of extraction arm before removing the lid of the acid bath tank, which should be over the acid bath tank.
?. [Rinse  ]
Rinse each glassware (in and out) at least three times with DI water. For meticulously clean glassware on very sensitive projects, rinse with Milli-Q water afterwards.
?. [Dry]
Drain the glassware for a few moments.
?. [Dry]
Place glassware upside down in a clean basket and dry in the gravity oven at
60 °C
?. [Dry]
Air dry graduated cylinder, volumetric flask and serological pipets.
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Concentration of acid bath varies. Example for a 5% acid bath: 37% HCl: 1.5LDI: 10L
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Prepare acid in the carboy.In the fume hood, add acid into DI water.
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Check the position of extraction arm, which should be over the acid bath tank.
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Carefully fill tank with prepared acid.
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Cover the acid bath and clean the acid spill with baking soda immediately.
?. [Prepare acid bath]
Label the acid tank with NFPA label.
?. [Dispose acid]
Neutralize acid bath by slowly adding acid into baking soda solution to prevent vigorous reaction, stir the mixture with polypropylene rod or stir bar retriever.
?. [Cleanup]
Neutralize acid on the bench counter with baking soda.
?. [Cleanup]
Pick up all broken glass pieces and filter from the sink.
?. [Cleanup]
Wipe up all spills and water.
?. [Cleanup]
Rinse heavy-duty gloves and hang them on the rack.
?. [Cleanup]
Check if the acid-bath is properly located and capped.