Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Bad news and getting a new lab

SimpleChemist-238 - 16-10-2014 at 09:07

Well I am moving and I need to bring my lab with me. This means moving the equipment and chemicals I have. This is not the problem but tips would help. I am only moving a few miles. My main concern is making my lab safe for the people who will be moving there. The lab my room is in is ventilated furnished room and has a wood floor. I want to clean the room up so its safe to live in. This means clean the hell out of the X-lab. I would do this after I have moved every thing out.

I Suppose alot of mopping and baking soda and maybe some magnesium sulfate? Lots of cleaning?


Chemosynthesis - 16-10-2014 at 09:23

What types of experiments have you performed there? Any notable spills?

macckone - 16-10-2014 at 13:28

A lot depends on what you have been doing.
If mercury has been spilled in the lab then you want to lay
down powdered sulfur (which is a pain to get up btw).
Once you do that then you should work on more general
cleaning.
Scrubbing with baking soda in water is a good first step.
That will make most things insoluble and neutralize any
acid residues.
Treating the room with oxygen based bleach (oxyclean)
will destroy some organics (including wood so don't use
too much).
You want to mop really good with clear water after that
and make sure the walls are well scrubbed.
Then and only then should you use more traditional cleaners.
Finally paint the walls and wax the floors.
That will seal in most things and if they are released it
should be slow enough that it would be non-hazardous.