A laboratory bench with various flasks and beakers containing colorful liquids, including red, green, orange, and blue. A microscope and computer monitor are visible in the background.

Glasswashing

The Glasswashing core is primarily responsible for the cleaning and sterilization of reusable laboratory glassware, reagents, and equipment. We provide waste collection receptacles in the glasswashing rooms in each building for labs to drop off biohazardous waste.  

This centralized service eliminates the need for individual investigators to maintain space, equipment, and personnel in their own laboratories to handle the washing and sterilization.
 

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Equipment

4 Amsco Reliance 400 fully automated two level glasswashers with integral dryers.

Autoclaves
All sterilizers, except the one used for decontamination of biohazardous materials, use highly purified reverse osmosis/deionized water to generate the steam to the chamber to avoid deposits of dissolved contaminants that non-pure steam could leave on research products.

  • 3 Amsco Century steam sterilizers, located in room 405 (2 large 36"x24" + 1 small 20"x20") .
  • 1 Amsco Vacumatic 3043-S for biohazard processing (36"x48").
  • 3 Amsco Century steam sterilizers located on the research floors (20"x20").
  • 2 Memmert ULE 600 SS ovens — (temperature range 20oC- 300oC)

Glassware Dryer

  • 1 Amsco Reliance 1024 Glassware dryer (temperature range 0oF — 200oF)

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Policies

  • All glassware must be labeled with the initials of the P.I. and room number. (Special non- toxic, permanent marking pens are available).
  • All glassware must be rinsed and free of gels, agars, and greases and placed to soak in mild detergent in dishpans (provided by glasswashing).
  • Investigators must neutralize chemical glassware before sending it to the glasswashing room. (Consult with Glasswashing supervisor as to proper procedure.)
  • No siliconized glassware should be sent to the glasswashing room. Process only in labs.
  • Quality assurance testing will be done at various phases of the operation to assure cleanliness and sterility.

Procedures

  • All lab areas will have 1-2 carts for dirty glassware collection and general sterilization processing needs. (Carts are provided by glasswashing.) 
  • Dirty glassware and items for sterilizing (steam or baking) will be picked up in a timely manner.
  • All items will be washed, dried, and sterilized according to the set standards and procedures for each investigator's area. Wrapping, foiling, pipette plugging, baking, and autoclaving of liquids will be provided.
  • If you have something that requires immediate or special attention please bring it to room 405 or call 4-7167 for assistance and/or pickup.
  • When items are finished being processed they will be delivered back to each lab and will be put away in designated areas that have been established by each lab. At that time we will check to see if another soiled pickup is needed. If needed, those items would be returned to you the following day.
  • Same-day service is available for most items. Baked glassware will require a next-day turnaround time.
  • Autoclaves dedicated for laboratory use are located on floors 4 & 5 in MCRB and floor 3 in CCRB. The glasswashing staff will be responsible for providing training on these and also for the maintenance and supply upkeep. Please email LeAnn or Sandi, or stop by MCRB 405 to report any problems you may experience.