How to Sterilize Cotton Swabs for a Lab Class

••• Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Sterilization is the process by which microorganisms are eliminated to create a completely pure environment. This is a necessary procedure in any science laboratory, which includes classroom labs. Cotton swabs play an important role in lab experiments, and will usually come presterilized, right out of the package. However, to ensure that a lab environment is absolutely pure, cottons swabs are often further sterilized. Sterilizing a cotton swab is a fairly simple procedure, but you must be very attentive to make sure it is done correctly.

    Wash your hands and forearms thoroughly under hot water, using an antimicrobial skin cleanser. Dry your hands and forearms with a fresh paper towel that has not yet been touched. Turn off the faucet using the paper towel, not your bare hand. Do not use a cloth towel or rag, even if it has just been cleaned. Sometimes bacteria lingers on cloth materials throughout several washes.

    Ask an assistant who followed the procedures of Step 1 to open a new box of rubber gloves. This will keep your hands free from any contaminants that the outside of the box might have. Reach into a box of rubber gloves with one hand, and remove a single glove. Position the glove around a hand until it fits firmly. Then reach into the box again with your gloved hand and grab another glove. Position the second glove around your other hand until it fits firmly.

    Ask your assistant to open a box of presterilized cotton swabs. Reach into the box with either hand and remove a single swab.

    Ask your assistant to open a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, which is a colorless, flammable, organic chemical compound liquid. Hold the cotton swab over the sink with both hands so you don't drop it. Have your assistant pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol over the cotton swab until it is entirely wet.

    Things You'll Need

    • Antimicrobial soap
    • Paper towel
    • Rubber gloves
    • Cotton swabs
    • Isopropyl alcohol

    Tips

    • It is important to work as quickly as possible when sterilizing and using the cotton swab in the actual experiment. The longer the swab is exposed to the air, the more likely it will gather various contaminants that will negatively affect your lab experiment.

    Warnings

    • Make sure there are no flames close to the isopropyl alcohol upon pouring it, since alcohol is flammable.

Related Articles

How to Make Your Own Science Lab
How to Make Agar Plates
How to Test for Mold in Water
How to Make Your Own Science Lab
How to Sterilize Petri Dishes
How to Grow Bacteria in Agar
How to Keep an Egg Soaking in Vinegar for a Science...
How to Make Nutrient Agar for Petri Dishes
How to Grow E. Coli in a Petri Dish
What Could Be Used to Sterilize Plastic Petri Plates...
Banana Science Projects
What Is a Glass Slide in Biology?
How to Grow Reishi Mushrooms
How to Clean a Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood
How to Make Gak With Borax
The Best Ways to Grow Bacteria on Agar
How to Rubberize an Egg
Safety Precautions When Using Flames in Science
Easy Way to Make Flubber
Effective Ways of Recycling & Reducing Non-Biodegradable...

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!