Undoubtedly one of the most significant routines for working in a lab is taking care of your pipettes. Implementing a strict pipette maintenance schedule on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis could mean the difference between investing in pricey new equipment and relying on accurate measurement tools. A well-maintained pipette will last longer, deliver more accurate results, be calibrated more precisely, and decrease cross-contamination risk.
It takes time, concentration, and practice to clean pipettes; the more comfortable you become with cleaning techniques, the simpler it will be, and the better the results you will get. To ensure the best quality and functionality of the equipment, quick and easy pipette maintenance procedures should be carried out daily in storage, cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilisation. An extensive manual for correctly cleaning your pipettes is provided below.
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Exterior Cleaning
Most pipettes can be externally cleaned using typical household or laboratory cleaning products, soaps, or alcohol. The outside of the pipette can be easily cleaned by spraying or wiping the instrument. Allow the cleaning solution to remain on the pipette for 10 to 12 minutes before wiping it off to ensure complete sterilisation.
Interior Cleaning
Because it requires complete disassembly, cleaning the interior of your pipette can take more time. The material, shape, size, and purpose of each part will determine how it needs to be cleaned.Â
- For detailed instructions, consult the instruction manual.
- To clean out air passages and eliminate any clogs, use a long-stemmed cotton swab with a bit of cleaning solution.
- Pistons should be washed with distilled water, cleaned, and replaced if cracked, pitted, or broken.
- Use the lubricant included with the purchase to grease the pistons lightly.
- Check that the pipette works appropriately after the reassembly of all components.
Contamination Cleaning
According to the substance type, follow specific cleaning procedures if your pipette becomes contaminated with a known substance. Following the above-listed regular cleaning and maintenance procedures won’t be enough if your pipette is cross-contaminated.
- Wash contaminated parts with distilled water or 70% ethanol and air dry at 60°F for aqueous solutions.
- For infectious liquids, autoclave the lower section for 20 minutes at 120°C before reassembling.
- Allowing organic solvents to evaporate on their own or immersing the part in detergent and then air drying.
- For radioactive substances, rinse and air dry the pipette after immersing it in a solution such as Decon.
- For proteins, use a detergent to rinse the contaminated parts, rinse, and air dry. Never use alcohol as it will set the proteins.
- Boil lower parts in glycine/HCI buffer (pH 2) for 10 minutes, rinse with distilled water, and air dry for nucleic acids.
How To Prolong the Lifespan of Your Pipette
Besides cleaning your pipettes – regular calibration and maintenance – are crucial to ensure that they will have reproducible outcomes for many years.
Storage
Do not set a pipette down on a bench. Instead, keep it upright on a stand. It will Prevent piston misalignment and lubricant buildup on one side of the pipette and will guarantee that any liquid residue that becomes trapped inside the pipette body drains out.
Cleaning
As discussed above in detail, always read your pipette’s instruction manual before cleaning it. It frequently explains how to disassemble and reassemble your pipette and provides detailed information about how it reacts chemically with common cleaning agents.
Your daily routine should include cleaning the pipette’s exterior. Wipe it down with a cloth lightly dampened with 70% ethanol. In most cases, the user of single-channel pipettes can perform the more difficult and time-consuming task of cleaning the interior of the pipette.
Calibration and service
To keep it accurate and precise and ensure that any potential issues are found and fixed before more expensive repairs or replacements are necessary, you should have it calibrated and serviced every 6 to 12 months. Routine checks should also be carried out so that you have confidence in your outcomes in between calibrations.
Conclusion
A lab technician needs a pipette that is maintained and clean. Keep your pipette in the best condition possible to give your customers the most precise, dependable, and repeatable results.
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