What is acetone used for?

What is acetone used for?

• A. Lubricating seals
• B. Cleaning glassware and benchtops (do not use on goggles)
• C. Disinfecting countertops
• D. Removing stickers from glassware

Answer: (B)

Acetone is a fast-evaporating solvent that dissolves many organic residues, so it’s ideal for cleaning glassware and benchtops between experiments. Its rapid evaporation helps surfaces dry quickly, reducing downtime before the next step. It is not a disinfectant, so cleaning with acetone does not substitute for agents that kill microbes on countertops. Avoid using acetone on goggles because it can damage certain plastics and coatings and its fumes can irritate the eyes. It can remove sticker residue from glassware, but that’s a secondary effect and you’d still want to rinse and dry the glassware thoroughly before reuse.

Acetone is a fast-evaporating solvent that dissolves many organic residues, so it’s ideal for cleaning glassware and benchtops between experiments. Its rapid evaporation helps surfaces dry quickly, reducing downtime before the next step. It is not a disinfectant, so cleaning with acetone does not substitute for agents that kill microbes on countertops. Avoid using acetone on goggles because it can damage certain plastics and coatings and its fumes can irritate the eyes. It can remove sticker residue from glassware, but that’s a secondary effect and you’d still want to rinse and dry the glassware thoroughly before reuse.