This assortment of household chemicals can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. 

Curriculum Notes 

Many instructors use this demo on the first day of class to help students to relate chemistry to their previous experiences as a consumer. Subsets of these items could be used to show household acids and bases, covalent vs. ionic, etc.

One day of lead time is required for this project.

Discussion 

There are many ways that these items could be integrated into a lecture demonstration. Use the comments section of the order form to specify which items you would like in your demonstration or contact the lecture demonstrator to arrange a customized demonstration.

Materials 

• Food Products
  • salt
  • sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • vinegar
  • baking soda
  • shortening
  • food coloring
  • cereal
  • vanilla extract
• Cleaning and Maintenance Products
  • Drano
  • laundry soap
  • Mr. Bubble (my personal favorite)
  • Clorox
  • ammonia based cleanser
  • spray paint
  • toilet bowl cleaner
  • oven cleaner
  • dishwashing soap
  • antifreeze
• Health and Cosmetic Products
  • Rolaids
  • Maalox
  • Tums
  • Alka-Seltzer
  • suntan lotion
  • Grecian Formula
  • laxative pills (phenolphthalein)
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • baby wipes
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • aspirin

Procedure 

Instructor may display and discuss the products to suit their curriculum needs.

Safety Precautions 

Safety precautions are printed on the labels of these consumer products. Please be familiar with these precautions if you are taking any products out of their containers during your demonstration.