Brush, Pipette, Fibre

Quick Answer: The Brush, Pipette, Fibre is a long, narrow pipette brush whose head is made of fibre bristles, used to scrub inside the bores of glass pipettes during washing. A fibre pipette brush is one of two pipette brushes in this range, and its head material is what sets it apart from the standard pipette brush.

Fibre Head and the Pipette Cleaning Routine

The listing identifies the head only as fibre and does not name the fibre used. Brush makers use the word for natural plant fibres, animal hair and some synthetic filaments, and each behaves differently: natural fibres are soft and absorbent and hold detergent solution against the glass, while synthetic filaments are springier and dry faster. Whichever fibre is used, strong acids, alkalis and oxidising cleaning baths shorten the life of brush bristles, so pipettes are soaked in those and brushed only in detergent.

In a pipette cleaning routine the brush is a middle step, not the first. Pipettes are first rinsed and soaked in a detergent bath so that solution fills the bore. Only residues that survive soaking need brushing, after which the pipette is rinsed repeatedly with tap water and then distilled water, drawn through with a filler. The final check is how water drains from the wall. Clean pipettes then dry on a pipette stand, ready for the next analysis.

The standard pipette brush in this range suits the same pipettes; the choice between them comes down to head material and stiffness.

Applications

• Removing films from graduated pipettes that soaking alone has not shifted.
• Cleaning pipettes after protein, starch or oily solutions in biochemistry practicals.
• Scrubbing narrow glass tubes of similar bore.
• Wash-up routines in analytical labs that clean pipettes in batches.

Specifications

Care of the Fibre Head

• Brush only with detergent solution; keep strong acid or oxidising baths for soaking, not for the brush.
• Rinse the brush thoroughly after use and dry it hanging, since damp fibre can develop odour and mould.
• Inspect the head for shed fibres; any fibre left in a pipette must be rinsed out before use.
• Replace the brush when the head thins or loses its shape.

Why Choose LabEquip

Fibre pipette brushes are chosen by labs that prefer a softer head for their volumetric glassware, and by teaching labs cleaning class sets of pipettes. LabEquip lists this brush in the General Lab Products range; enquire about head type and sizes through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the fibre pipette brush differ from the standard pipette brush?

The difference is the head material. This brush is listed with a fibre head, and fibre heads are generally softer and hold more cleaning solution against the glass than stiff synthetic bristles.

What is the correct order for cleaning a pipette?

Rinse out the contents, soak in detergent solution, brush only if residues remain, rinse several times with tap water and then distilled water, and let it drain. Use a pipette filler to draw liquids through.

Can the fibre brush be dipped in strong acid cleaning baths?

It is better not to. Strong acids and oxidising solutions attack most brush bristles. Soak pipettes in such baths if your lab uses them, then rinse and brush with ordinary detergent.

How can I tell if a pipette is clean enough?

Draw distilled water above the mark and let it run out. Watch the inner wall as it drains: an even, unbroken film means the glass is clean, while beads of water signal remaining grease, and the pipette should go back into the detergent bath.

What should I do if fibres are left in the pipette?

Rinse the pipette with a strong stream of water from a wash bottle, or draw water through it several times with a filler. Hold it against the light to confirm that no fibres remain before using it for measurements.

How is the brush dried and stored?

Rinse it well, shake out the water and hang it head down in a ventilated place. Once dry, store it away from chemicals and dust.

Last Updated: September 2026