How Do I Clean and Maintain My Pipette Tips？- Scopelab

To transfer tiny amounts of liquid, micropipettes are equipped with disposable plastic tips called pipette tips. In a range of laboratory settings, including research labs, clinical labs, and industrial settings, micropipettes are employed. Pipette tips need to be cleaned and maintained. Pipette tips may come into touch with a wide range of chemicals, including pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Inaccurate results or even contamination might arise from improper pipette tip cleaning since these contaminants can spread to the next sample. Acids and organic solvents are two examples of chemicals that might harm pipette tips. Proper pipette tip cleaning can aid in removing these impurities and increase the useful life of the pipette tips. Results from pipetting can be erroneous and imprecise if pipette tips are dirty or broken. Pipette tips may be kept in good condition and ensure accurate and precise pipetting outcomes by being cleaned and maintained. Filtered and non-filtered pipette tips are the two main types. There are modest differences in the cleaning and maintenance procedures for each type of pipette tip.

How to Clean Filtered Pipette Tips?

Use distilled water to rinse the pipette tip.
Add a little mild detergent solution to the pipette tip.
Clean the inside of the pipette tip with the soft-bristled brush, giving close attention to the filter.
Use distilled water to rinse the pipette tip.
Let the pipette tip air dry.
Additional tips:
Avoid filling the pipette tip with too much detergent solution as this can make it challenging to rinse everything completely.
To get rid of any remaining detergent solution, thoroughly rinse the pipette tip with distilled water.
Before using the pipette tip once more, let it completely air dry. The pipette tip should not be dried in direct sunlight as this might damage it.
If you are using filtered pipette tips repeatedly, it’s crucial to check them for damage before each usage. Any pipette tips that are broken, chipped, or otherwise harmed should be thrown away.

You may contribute to keeping your filtered pipette tips clean and maintained by adhering to these recommendations. This will increase the accuracy and precision of your pipetting results and assist in preventing cross-contamination.

How to Clean Non-Filtered Pipette Tips?

Use distilled water to rinse the pipette tip.
Add a little mild detergent solution to the pipette tip.
Scrub the pipette tip’s exterior and interior with the soft-bristled brush.
Use distilled water to rinse the pipette tip.
Let the pipette tip air dry.
Additional tips:
Avoid overfilling the pipette tip with detergent solution because doing so could make it challenging to rinse everything completely.
To get rid of any remaining detergent solution, thoroughly rinse the pipette tips with distilled water.
Before using the pipette tip once more, let it completely air dry. The pipette tip should not be dried in direct sunlight as this could harm it.
If you are using non-filtered pipette tips repeatedly, it’s crucial to check them for damage before each usage. Any pipette tips that are broken, chipped, or otherwise harmed should be thrown away.

You may contribute to keeping your non-filtered pipette tips clean and maintained by following these recommendations. This will increase the accuracy and precision of your pipetting results and assist in preventing cross-contamination.

How to Maintain Pipette Tips to Extend Their Lifespan?

There are a few things you can do to maintain pipette tips and extend their lifespan:

After each usage, clean the pipette tips. Any impurities that could be on the pipette tips will be eliminated by doing this.
When cleaning pipette tips, use a mild solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals since they can harm pipette tips.
After cleaning, thoroughly rinse pipette tips in distilled water. This will assist in getting rid of any remaining detergent solution.
Before using pipette tips once more, let them thoroughly air dry. Pipette tips should not be dried in direct sunlight as this could harm them.
Pipette tips shouldn’t be reused more than a few times. This is particularly crucial for pipetting delicate liquids, such as DNA, RNA, and protein samples.
Reusing pipette tips for various liquids is not advised. Cross-contamination risk may rise as a result.
Before each usage, check the pipette tips for signs of wear and tear. Any pipette tips that are broken, chipped, or otherwise harmed should be thrown away.
Pipette tips should be kept out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry location.

You can make sure that your pipette tips are clean, well-maintained, and durable by following these recommendations. By doing this, you can lessen the chance of cross-contamination, enhance the precision and accuracy of your pipetting findings, and ultimately save money.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning and Maintaining Pipette Tips?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when cleaning and maintaining pipette tips:

Use harmful chemicals. Pipette tips can become damaged and lose accuracy when exposed to harsh chemicals. Use soapy water or a gentle detergent instead.
The pipette tip is overfilled with a detergent solution. This could make it challenging to completely rinse the pipette tip.
Not fully washing the pipette tip with distilled water. The accuracy of results from pipetting can be impacted by residual detergent solution.
Put the pipette tip in the sun to dry. Pipette tips can be harmed by direct sunlight. Instead, let the pipette tips air dry in a cool, dry environment.
Using pipette tips more than once. Cross-contamination risk may rise as a result.
Using pipette tips for various liquids. Cross-contamination risk may rise as a result.
Not inspecting pipette tips for signs of wear and tear before each use. Inaccurate pipette tips may increase the possibility of cross-contamination.

Avoiding these typical errors can assist in guaranteeing that your pipette tips are clean, well-maintained, and durable. Cross-contamination will be less likely to occur as a result of this, and your pipetting findings will be more accurate and precise.

Conclusion

Any laboratory must have pipette tips, and it is crucial to clean and maintain them correctly to achieve accurate findings. There are modest variations in the cleaning and maintenance procedures for each type of pipette tip. Chongqing Scope Instrument Co., Ltd. is a professional supplier of pipette tips. By using the advice in this article or contacting us, you may help your pipette tips last longer and reduce cross-contamination.