The end of the school year is always crazy and the to-do list never ends. As things come to a close, it’s so important to make cleaning out your chemistry lab a top priority. Don’t overlook this! Taking the time to clean and organize your chemistry lab before summer break can make a world of difference when you return in the fall. A well-organized, well-maintained lab saves time, improves safety, and ensures that you’re ready to hit the ground running next school year.
Essential Steps for an End-of-Year Lab Clean-Out
Before you begin you’ll need a few lists:
- list of things to replace
- list of things to trash
- list of things to buy
1. Check Safety Equipment
Safety should always be the top priority in a chemistry classroom. End-of-year lab clean-outs provide a perfect opportunity to inspect safety equipment. In some schools your custodial staff is responsible for this. In other schools it’s up to the science teachers. Regardless of whose responsibility it is, it’s not a bad idea to check on things yourself. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are functioning properly, fume hoods are clean and operational, and that fire extinguishers still have good pressure. Goggles and lab aprons should be examined for wear and tear, and any damaged items should be replaced before the next school year. Add those to the “replace” list.
2. Reduce Clutter and Organize Equipment
Over the course of a school year, your students are going to wreak havoc on your lab space. Even if you have very high standards for how the lab is kept. It’s just the nature of working with teenagers. Equipment is going to wind up in the wrong spots so you’ll have some areas lacking supplies and other areas overflowing with supplies. It’s a good idea to have students help you out with getting equipment where it needs to go. Then you can more easily check on what’s broken and needs to be replaced or what hasn’t been used and should be packed into storage or disposed of. A well organized lab ensures everything is easy to find, so next year’s experiments are much smoother and safer.
If you’re interested in my tips for maintaining your chemistry lab throughout the school year, you should check out the professional development I offer on Managing a Chemistry Lab.
3. Make Sure Everything is Properly Labeled
Clear labeling is key to maintaining an efficient and safe lab. Double-check that all chemicals, and solutions are properly labeled. This means you have their name, concentration, and date they were opened. Make sure storage areas are clearly marked so you can easily locate and return materials to the proper (and safest) location. If any labels are faded, smudged, or missing, replace them now to prevent confusion later. Trust me on this one.
4. Deep Clean All Workspaces
Even if you tidy up throughout the school year, there’s no substitute for a deep clean. That’s what Spring Break is for at home, right? Wipe down all lab benches, sinks, and fume hoods to remove chemical residues. Sweep and mop floors to eliminate dust and debris, and check storage cabinets for spills or leaks. A clean lab not only looks better but also reduces the risk of contamination and accidents. Have your students help you with this. There’s no reason for you to be doing all this work yourself. They’re the ones that made the mess!
5. Remove Expired, Hazardous, or Broken Materials
Don’t ask me about my first lab clean out while student teaching. We found a mason jar with about half an inch of mercury. Super cool, but also super dangerous. Then we found a mercury thermometer. And the department chair put it in his office. OF COURSE, it rolled off his desk and broke. They called a Hazmat Team.
Chemicals don’t last forever, and some degrade into potentially hazardous compounds over time. Check expiration dates on all chemical bottles and dispose of any that are outdated or unsafe according to your school’s hazardous waste policies. Check DEEP in the stock room for old samples of lead and mercury. I bet you they’re in there! Additionally, inspect equipment for damage and discard anything that could pose a safety risk.
6. Take Stock of What’s There and Use It Before It Goes Bad
Do you have chemicals that will expire soon? Just like meal planning, take an inventory of what you have. Spend your summer (or better yet, last days of school) planning how to use it up. Check in with other science teachers and see if these materials are going to be used by anybody soon. If not, add them to the list of things to throw away.
7. Make Sure the Inventory You Need for Next Year is Available
One of the biggest advantages of a lab clean-out is identifying what you need before school orders are placed. If your school provides a budget for lab materials, making a list of necessary chemicals, glassware, and equipment now ensures that everything is ready for the start of the next school year. I’ve found that most schools do their shopping in the fall. If you get your list ready, you can be the first to use up the budget and ensure you get what you need.
8. Make Note of Consumables That Need to Be Repurchased
Some lab essentials, like gloves, paper towels, filter paper, and pH strips, get used up quickly. Take stock of these consumables and add them to your supply request list. This simple step prevents the frustration of running out of essential supplies.
9. Check in with Other Teachers
If you share lab space, stock room, or equipment with other teachers, it’s a good idea to coordinate supply orders. Make sure that there are enough balances for the number of students and classrooms. Splitting 5 balances across 3 classrooms is somehow always how it goes! The lab clean out is a great activity to do during a department meeting. Everyone can chat with each other and make sure the proper things are thrown away, kept and reordered for next year.
Why This Makes Your Life Easier
Spending a little time now on a thorough lab clean-out saves a lot of time and stress in the long run. Here’s how:
- Keeps the lab clean – A tidy, well-maintained space is not covered in rogue chemical smudges and is safer.
- Keeps the lab clutter-free – No more digging through messy cabinets or drawers to find what you need. If you saw my desk, you’d think somebody else wrote this blog post!
- Ensures materials are available and safe to use – Everything you need will be stocked, labeled, and ready to go.
- Ensures lab equipment is safe and ready to use – No surprises when you set up for the first lab of the year.
A well-organized chemistry lab sets the stage for a smoother, more enjoyable school year. Taking the time to clean, inventory, and prepare now will give you peace of mind and set you up for success when you return in the fall. So, grab some gloves, turn on some music, and start your lab clean out. It’s worth the effort!
Check out my Full Year Chemistry Lab book, that is full of simple, low or no chemical labs that hit the nail on the head in terms of rigor.
