You’ll also need plenty of space for the items you frequently use, such as glassware and chemicals. If you’re concerned about ruining a good counter, place a towel on top of the counter and then a rubber non-slip mat on top of that. This will protect the counter and absorb any spilled chemicals.
While basements are spacious, they are not an ideal environment because they are usually poorly-ventilated, cold and damp during the winter, and hot and humid during the summer. An open window and portable exhaust fan can serve to increase ventilation in any room. If possible, work outside for experiments that produce lots of smoke or fumes.
Rooms with windows provide nice natural light and increase the ventilation.
You can also purchase rubber flooring mats to cover the area of your workspace.
If you get something in your eye or spill chemicals directly on you, rinse the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes before seeking further treatment.
As a beginning scientist, you can start out with a home scientist kit, a few beakers, and work with supplies that can be found around the house. If you are trying to do more complicated research, you will need accurate measuring devices, heating devices, and well-made glassware.
Burettes for titrations might also be useful for some chemistry experiments. As you use your lab more, you will get to know what you need more of and what you don’t need. High-quality student-grade equipment is usually sufficient for the work you would be doing at home and is much less expensive than professional-grade. Beware though, if it seems too cheap, it probably is.
Some chemicals that can’t be purchased in stores can be synthesized from those that are easily purchased. Be aware of the strength of the chemicals that you are using. Read all product labels and material safety data sheets before use.
Some of this equipment can get expensive, so make sure it will really be useful to you if you are going to purchase it.
Date everything and keep your notebook current. You can also use your notebook to track the use of your chemicals and their expiration dates.
Closed-toe shoes should always be worn while working. Long pants should also be worn to protect your legs. Tie your hair back in a ponytail or bun if it is long. Never eat or drink while experimenting.
Include the name of the chemical or solution, the concentration of the solution, the pH, the date the solution was made, and any other pertinent information on each label. Read the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all of the chemicals that you own to store them properly. [13] X Research source Use the proper storage container for your chemicals. Select airtight, chemical-resistant containers. Some strong acids can only be stored in plastic, while other chemicals may need to be stored in glass. Make sure hazardous chemicals are stored under lock and key or safely away from the access of small children or pets.
Check the status of the fire extinguisher and the smoke detector once a month to make sure they are both in working order. Never throw water on a strong acid. It will explode.
Latex gloves Eye protection that covers the sides of your eyes Apron or lab coat Dustpan and brush (also useful for broken glass) Absorbent materials: kitty litter, sand or clay, and absorbent pads Neutralizing materials: baking soda for acid spills; citric acid for basic spills Store all items in a 5 US gal (19 L) polypropylene (plastic) bucket. Use the bucket to contain all the materials after cleaning up the spill.
