Wet Specimen Care

Proper care ensures your wet specimen remains clear, stable, and preserved for years. Below are some guidelines I have put together so you can maintain both the specimen and it's display quality.

  • Never mix unknown liquids. If you are unsure of the preservative your specimen is in, contact me or another professional before opening the jar or adding anything.
  • For alcohol spills, ventilate the space and clean up normally.
  • For formalin spills, immediately ventilate and close off the area. Formalin fumes are toxic and can cause major damage of the eyes, nose, mouth, airways, lungs, and skin. You will need eye and face protection (half-face respirator). Do not touch or clean without gloves. If accessible, use a formalin spill powder (PolyForm-F, SPILL-X-FP, Neutralex, ABsorb-F, Formaway, or Novok-Pow). In a pinch cat litter with some baking soda or activated charcoal can work, but please get it checked by a professional after. Please use extreme caution.

Storage & handling conditions:

  • Keep out of direct sunlight. UV exposure can fade colors and cause tissues to degrade.
  • Store at stable room temperature. 
  • Display upright, tilting jars can cause leakage.
  • Always lift by the base, not the lid or stopper.
  • If the specimen shows discoloration, tissue breakdown, or strong odor, it may require professional re-preservation.

Fluid maintenance:

  • Most specimens are preserved in alcohol. If you have a specimen still in formalin/formaldehyde please do NOT open the jar. If you don't know what liquid your specimen is in, feel free to contact me!
  • Check clarity periodically. Yellow or cloudy solution means your specimen is ready for a change. See below for how to do this and what to change it out with!
  • If any part of your specimen is not fully covered, some may have evaporated and it needs to be topped off. It is natural for some evaporation to occur, but your specimen needs to stay covered, so top off whenever necessary. 
  • Never mix unknown liquids. If you are unsure of the preservative your specimen is in, contact me or another professional before adding anything.

Fluid changing:

  • Dump original fluid. If it is alcohol, dump in the toilet or down a sink so it gets diluted with water. If it is formalin - DO NOT DUMP. Formalin needs to be disposed of in a specific and proper way.
  • Never dump alcohol or formalin outside, this is a danger to humans, animals, and plants alike. Make sure your specimen doesn't fall out!
  • If needed, rinse your specimen and jar with distilled water.
  • Refill jar with 70% isopropyl alcohol. This can be found at any local drugstore. Anything over 70% and it will cause decay of your specimen. Likewise, isopropyl alcohol is preferred over ethyl/ethanol for the same reason. If you are unable to find 70%, you can dilute 90% with distilled water using an alcohol dilution calculator.
  • Make sure your specimen is completely covered and reseal!

Safety Notes:

  • Keep specimens away from children and pets.

 

Need assistance or more information? Contact me or another preservation specialist for fluid replacement, resealing, or restoration services.