Washing Glass Beads

1. Collect beads from all lab benches.

2. Using a 2-4 L beaker, rinse beads with tap water until supernatant is clear.

3. Wash two times with 1-2 L soapy DI H₂O.

4. Wash two or three times with just DI H₂O.

5. Wash 4 times with 1 L 0.1 N HCl (4 L DI H₂O + 35 ml concentrated HCl).

6. Wash 2 times with 1 L 0.1 NaOH (10 ml 10N NaOH per L).

7. Rinse 5 times with 1 L DI H₂O until supernatant is pH ~ 6-8.

8. Transfer to large pryrex baking dish and dry overnight in 65° oven (beads must be completely dry).

9. Transfer to glass beaker with aluminum foil lid with date.

10. Store on media shelf or behind scales.