Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Note on Clean-up and Disposal

When you are completely done with your experiment, you will need to decontaminate any plates you used. More than likely, you will not have access to an autoclave for sterilization. Another way to decontaminate your experimental materials is to use disinfectants. The best disinfectant is household bleach at 10% strength. You can make a 10% bleach solution by mixing one part of regular laundry bleach (e.g. Clorox®) with 9 parts of water. Other general common household cleaning reagents are also effective at decontaminating bacteria, and can be used. Decontaminate plates by carefully opening, and pouring a generous amount of disinfectant (i.e., 10% bleach) onto the agar surface. Leave the plates to soak for at least an hour. The sterilized, decontaminated plates, can then be disposed of in your regular household garbage, but ONLY after sterilization, as described, is complete.