egenerica ([info]egenerica) wrote in [info]craftgrrl,
@ 2006-01-24 00:51:00
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sterilisation
Craftgrrls with the science power, I need you...

I've got my hands on some antique medical tools via scrounging at flea markets. clamps, scissors, sewing needles and my pride and joy - dental tools! thing is, if I want them sterile before putting them to work in a craft project, do I boil them, or do I have to go all out with the alcohol/boiling/steaming routine? I stand some risk of jabbing myself with these things, but mainly don't want to endanger anyone else who might end up handling my stuff. Any advice, crafties?

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[info]haughtywench
2006-01-23 02:01 pm UTC (link)
I was thinking autoclave, but unless you have a very friendly dentist or local medical assistant/nursing training school that might be tough.

My warning is that a lot of dentists use those tools until they are too blade-thin to be sharpened again, so be careful when using them, the tips do break off.

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 02:03 pm UTC (link)
yeah an autoclave would be the ticket. i need to start hanging with the right crowd.

they are mighty sharp. I guess I'll just have to be paranoid-type careful. cheers!

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[info]transcend_shoes
2006-01-23 11:24 pm UTC (link)
http://www.used-line.com/c5249055s2223-Gemu_3/4"__Brass.htm

you could alsways look for a surplus autoclave... but then you've got an autoclave sitting around the house with nothing to use it for?

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 11:36 pm UTC (link)
i'd find a use for one... but i think I'll be going the boiling-alcohol-extra-boiling route.

your icon is some kind of genius.

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[info]transcend_shoes
2006-01-24 12:25 am UTC (link)
thanks, made it myself... well, turned it into an icon at least.
http://www.tallyhall.com/video.php?v=1133570630.mov#theater

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[info]impure_purity
2006-01-24 08:54 pm UTC (link)
Try either a hair dresser or a tattoo shop, you *may* have some luck at either of the two places...

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[info]urania
2006-01-23 02:34 pm UTC (link)
You can soak them in alcohol. Alternately, yes, you could boil them (if you boil 'em for about 15 minutes that should do it). It's not as absolutely perfect as a pressure cooker (autoclave) might be, but it should do the trick.

My concern with people getting hurt would be sharp edges/ends. If it's likely they'll be touched by anyone other than yourself, I'd recommend dulling them....

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 02:41 pm UTC (link)
re: the sharpe edges. yep, I'm scared of people piercing themselves unwittingly on the sharpness. Some glasspaper and I have already been seeing to that, as we speak. For medical instruments, these things are surprisingly easy to blunt.

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[info]sepheri
2006-01-23 03:01 pm UTC (link)
I think it is possible to get a sterlising tablet that dissolves for baby bottles and things. Why not ask in the chemist?

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 11:36 pm UTC (link)
good plan, ta. i forgot about those things.

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[info]angelwifey
2006-01-23 03:05 pm UTC (link)
cheep/grain alcohol can sterilize. or rubbing alcohol or soemthing.

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[info]diabeticatapult
2006-01-23 03:18 pm UTC (link)
i doubt the dental tools would have been thrown out without having been sterilized first.

anyway, if you can get hold of a pressure cooker, that would be best for boiling (you achieve a higher temperature).

otherwise pop them in a saucepan of boiling water and keep it boiling about 15-20 mins.

then i'd soak them in alcohol - 100% ethanol if you can get it at a chemist, otherwise methylated spirits. soak overnight.

then leave to air dry.

everything should be good then.

Cat.

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 11:37 pm UTC (link)
this is an amenable plan for a cheapskate like myself. cheers.

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[info]miss_chainsaw
2006-01-23 03:36 pm UTC (link)
im jealous, thats really neat. what are you gonna use them for?
and yes, be careful. even maybe a tattoo shop (since they should ALL have autoclaves) would be more lenient to do it for you for a small price or something.

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-24 02:37 am UTC (link)
>what are you gonna use them for?
I torture porcelain dolls. check my journal/site for examples.

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[info]weeefairy
2006-01-23 03:40 pm UTC (link)
the cleanest way to sterilize something without an autoclave is to flame it.

basicly, you dip it in the rubbing alcohol, hold the item with some kind of tool so you dont burn your hands, and then light the alcohol on fire.

water only gets to a hundred degrees and sadly doesnt kill all things.

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[info]tinkerbell_mk
2006-01-23 04:08 pm UTC (link)
I second this. Dip in rubbing alcohol then light the rubbing alcohol. It's the best way without an autoclave.

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[info]haleyxcore
2006-01-23 08:33 pm UTC (link)
Thirded. Besides, it's bad practice to throw out used medical tools without sterilizing them first, or placing them in a bin marked for biohazard.

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[info]sushiq
2006-01-23 03:48 pm UTC (link)
Luckily my best friend is my dental hygenist, so she's done that for me before, but she suggested the pressure cooker thing too.

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[info]sleepiegreen
2006-01-23 04:18 pm UTC (link)
For safety purposes, boil for 15-20 minutes, if you want to be safe leave them boiling for an hour, then wipe down with alcohol. Basically if someone gets "stabbed" while handling your art and gets sick, then you are legally responsible. That's in my best paramedic opinion :)

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[info]egenerica
2006-01-23 11:38 pm UTC (link)
cheers. perhaps i shall make them sign a no-stabbing-self clause. IN THEIR OWN BLOOD! actually, it's mainly me who gets injured on my own work. i'm such a clutz.

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[info]lovepink0099
2006-01-23 04:41 pm UTC (link)
I don't think boiling is enough to sterilize. :(

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[info]kira_snugz
2006-01-23 06:37 pm UTC (link)
ask your dentist, the receptionist or a dental assistant would be able to tell you right off if they'd be willing to do it.

my dentist has let me borrow the autoclave once or twice with full explanations of where i got my stuff and what i was doing with it.

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[info]grlinabox
2006-01-23 08:05 pm UTC (link)
Try the beauty supply and ask for something to steralize your steel nail implements.

I know doing hair we use barbacide to steralize our combs and such but i believe there is something seperate for the nail instraments.

good luck.

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