42 DIY Science: Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments
pRECTINGoT woRk SURfACES
Some of the chemicals you work with may stain or
otherwise damage wooden or laminate work surfaces.
I protect my work surfaces, which are standard kitchen
laminate counters, by covering them with rubber nonslip
mats that are available in various sizes and thicknesses
at craft stores. I also put an old bath towel between the
counter top and the rubber mat. The mat provides a
smooth, level, chemical-resistant work surface, and the old
towel absorbs any liquids that run off the mats.
My advisor, Dr. Mary Chervenak, is an expert on paints and
coatings. I asked her and my other advisor, Dr. Paul Jones,
if there was any kind of paint that could be used to protect
surfaces from most laboratory chemicals. The short
answer is “not really.” Standard latex, polyurethane, and
epoxy-based paints and coatings offer reasonably good
protection against many reagents and solvents, including
the dilute reagents used in most of the experiments in this
book. However, they offer less (or no) protection against
strong acids or bases or some organic solvents.
Still, as Dr. Jones commented, some protection is better
than none, and in a sense you can think of these paints as
ablative coatings. The coating itself may dissolve in or be
eaten away by a strong chemical, but it may protect the
underlying surface long enough for you to dilute, mop up,
or neutralize the spill. If I used a wooden workbench or
a similar surface, I’d put several thick coats of an epoxy-
based deck or floor paint on it, and then protect it further
with a rubber mat and towel.
Even if you take reasonable precautions and work
carefully, it’s almost inevitable that at some point you’ll
spill something nasty on your work surface. That’s a good
argument for choosing a work surface that’s expendable. If
you eat holes in a sheet of plywood or particle board, that’s
cheap and easy to replace. If you eat holes in your washer/
dryer, you may have some explaining to do.vntilatione
Some experiments produce smoke, strong odors, or even
toxic fumes. It’s important to have some means of ventilating
the work area and exhausting these fumes to the outdoors.
The ideal solution is a formal laboratory exhaust hood, but
an open window with a portable exhaust fan can often serve
the purpose. For experiments that produce a lot of smoke or
fumes, work outdoors.
Lighting
It’s dangerous to do chemistry in a poorly lit environment.
My first home chem lab was located in a dark corner of the
basement, and I had more than one near-accident before I
installed some fluorescent fixtures. Make sure your work area
is well lit. If the overhead lighting is inadequate or nonexistent,
use table lamps, clamp lamps, or other portable light sources.Electric receptacles
You can get along without electricity other than for lighting, but
it’s very convenient to have one or more electric receptacles
within easy reach of your work surface. If those receptacles are
not protected, install ground-fault circuit interrupters.water and sewer
Although it is not essential, it is extremely convenient for the
home chem lab to have access to running water and a sewer
connection. If that’s not possible, acquire a large bottle to use
as a water supply. The 5-gallon plastic carboys used in water
coolers are ideal. With a stopper, some tubing, and a pinch
clamp, you can build a siphon to deliver water as needed. Use a
large plastic bucket, tub, or similar container for waste liquids,
and empty it after each lab session.flooring
Even if you are extremely careful, sooner or later you are bound
to spill something. Murphy’s Law says that what you spill will
be corrosive or strongly colored, and will fall exactly where you
don’t want it to fall. If the floor is carpet or another vulnerable
material, your spouse, parents, roommate, or significant other
will not be amused. Sheet vinyl or linoleum is the best flooring
material for a home chem lab, although vitreous tile and
similar resilient materials are also good. If the floor is concrete,
consider painting it with epoxy-based floor paint to prevent it
from being stained or absorbing spilled chemicals.I have a seldom-used second kitchen in our basement guest
suite that is an ideal home chemistry laboratory (and also serves
well as a photographic darkroom). Not everyone is lucky enough
to have a room or even a corner that can be dedicated to a
laboratory. Fortunately, there are many alternatives.kitchen
Let’s get this one out of the way first. The kitchen may seem
to be an ideal location for a part-time chemistry laboratory.
There’s usually plenty of counter space and storage, hot and
cold running water, good lighting, plenty of electrical outlets,
resilient flooring, and the exhaust fan over the stove can serve