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How to Make Homemade Lab Wear

Whether you are working at home or in a professional laboratory, safety clothing is essential for any laboratory technician. Most laboratory scientists come into frequent contact with caustic chemicals that can pose a serious risk of injury. Careful use of protective clothing helps minimize the risk. Whether or not you have access to professional lab gear, it's important to protect yourself. You can make an appropriate lab outfit at home, using clothing and materials that are readily available to the general public.

Instructions

- 1
  Select a pair of shoes. The shoes you wear in the lab should be close-toed and liquid resistant. Choose shoes made of vinyl or leather over those made from canvas or other highly porous materials.
- 2
  Select a pair of gloves. You can purchase gloves which are appropriate for general lab use at most grocery and hardware stores. However, rubber kitchen gloves will protect your hands from most mild corrosive materials. Other common glove materials are Neoprene, Nitrile and Latex. Always verify before you begin your experiment that the gloves you wear are rated to withstand any hazardous materials you will be handling.
- 3
  Select a coat to wear in the lab. The coat should fall below your hips, and close completely in the front. It should be long-sleeved to protect your arms, and made from a flame-retardant material.
- 4
  Select appropriate eye protection. Lab-grade eye protection should be made from a rigid plastic or glass, and should cover your eyes from the front, top, bottom and sides. Nose-less swim goggles can double as glasses for the lab. Hardware store mowing safety glasses are also an appropriate option.

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