How to Sterilize Glassware

In any classroom or laboratory setting, it is essential to sterilize reusable equipment. Reusable glassware---such as pipettes, flasks and beakers---requires special attention, because bacterial spores can linger on glass and may be resistant to boiling. Although there are various methods of sterilization for glassware, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the dry heat method for reusable glassware.

Things You'll Need

• Oven
• Aluminum foil
• Baking sheet

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Instructions

• 1

  Preheat an oven to approximately 340 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius).

• 2

  Remove any paper, cotton, cork or rubber plugs from pipettes, beakers and flasks.

• 3

  Use aluminum foil to seal the openings of any glassware other than pipettes.

• 4

  Make a small pouch out of a single sheet of aluminum foil. The pouch should be just large enough to hold the pipettes you wish to sterilize, with a flap of excess foil on the top edge to fold over the tops of the pipettes. Carefully place the pipettes into the foil pouch, fold the top flap over and seal the foil.

• 5

  Place your glassware on a baking sheet or other metal tray, spacing the items evenly.

• 6

  Place the baking sheet with the glassware in the preheated oven for at least one hour.