You can also have the put on goggles and a lab coat. As both videos exhibited, all you need to do to jump-start the chemical reaction is combine the catalyst with the peroxide mixture. The answer is complicated. If you're like most people, you might squeeze the last bit of toothpaste out of your tube and throw it in the trash. Some popular, fairly eco-friendly toothpaste brands include Dr Bronner's, Jason, Tom's of Maine, and Weleda though these are all packaged in plastic. The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2. If Colgate is going to make plastic tubes, sure, they should be recyclable; but the truth is, there are better, more sustainable, lower-waste options for packaging: metal toothpaste tubes, glass powder jars, and compostable/biodegradable packaging. A unique feature that Gerais included in this . Cheers! toothpaste's ingredients arent safe for the planet, A post shared by Davids Natural Toothpaste (@davidsnaturaltoothpaste). This poisonous substance remains in our soil for well over a year before it is fully degrades, meaning it is always present as more is constantly added. . There are still ways in which you can brush your teeth without harming the environment. For now, TerraCycle runs a recycling program for Colgate toothpaste tubes, boxes, toothbrushes, and floss packaging. Combine with plastic spoon. Maybe we call it Snowman Toothpaste for its cooling effect. Please leave your comments below. The above brands are all cruelty-free and made with safe-for-the-environment ingredients. Foamy substance created by rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), "The Great Elephant Toothpaste Experiment! Newer Post , 5 Must-Have Reusable Products Elephant's Toothpaste This classic chemistry demonstration is a huge hit with kids of all ages. Nevertheless, the lower concentration of peroxidecan till discolor fabrics. 1) Put a clean and dry empty 500ml plastic bottle in a non-reactive bowl or oven dish. But if you want to do it inside, be sure to line the area with plastic. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? The elephant toothpaste explodes from the bottle after a chemical reaction. This COOL chemical reaction spews froth and foam everywhere. It's a chemical used in anti-freeze. Safety goggles (safety first, of course!) $4.35. Last Updated: August 29, 2022 There is enough foam squirting out for an elephant to brush its teeth. Elephant Toothpaste. (and maybe some flame) left in the match. Gather your materials. (AD) Try This Extreme: 50 Fun & Safe Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, (AD) Make This! That means you can just use a funnel or pour the dissolved yeast into the hydrogen peroxide. Elephant's Toothpaste. Allow them to measure out the yeast and mix in the correct amount of water, heated to 105-110 F (41-43 C). This soap has very neutral pH, just slightly basic (I'm talking 7.2-7.4). You also wouldn't want to touch the foam afterward, because there may be un-reacted peroxide in it. It is the result of a chemical reaction that creates a large amount of oozing foam. It is commonly used in classrooms to demonstrate an exothermic reaction. Elephant toothpaste reactions can result in both thermal and chemical burns. Please leave a comment below. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In the video, he experiments with different container shapes and sizes to determine which will result in the most spectacular reaction. Brilliant Blue FCF is a colourant, in this case colouring your toothpaste blue. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,015,055 times. The reaction also produces a large amount of foam, so it is important to do the experiment in a well-ventilated area. Uploaded on Jul 18, 2014. These compounds are used to colour the toothpaste, but their names do not belong to any natural colourants. While elephant toothpaste can be fun to watch, its important to be safe when handling these chemicals. It happens when more energy is produced than amount of energy was used to initiate the reaction. Optionally, you can also put a plastic tarp down to catch all the foam. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! With a little practice, you should be able to create a big, foamy elephant toothpaste reaction that is safe and fun! Mix 3 US tbsp (44 ml) of warm water with the yeast and let it sit. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. 1072 Words. activity I can do with my kids. The only drawback is that the reaction will be slower and more catalyst may need to be used. ( Scientific American suggests adding your food coloring toward the top of your . One alternative is toothpaste tablets. You can let the kids do this step. A lot of conventional oral care products contain ingredients that can cause potential harm to the planet. It is a slight twist on the classic Elephants toothpaste experiment. If you liked the foam, you might like also my other experiment where I play with oxygen and hydrogen released in electrolysis reaction Please check my post How to seperate water into oxygen and hydrogen? Microbeads are very small bits of plastic that manufacturers use to supply scrubbing power to body washes, exfoliators, toothpastes, and other cleansing products. When you mix hydrogen peroxide with soap and yeast, the catalase enzyme found in yeast helps to convert the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. Lighting up a piece of elephant dung to keep the mozzies away might not sound incredibly . You can dump both the foam and the liquid down the drain. There are two easy methods for making elephant toothpaste. Add the dishwashing soap. [6] The soapy water traps the oxygen, creating bubbles, and turns into foam. Lecithin comes to mind, but the molecular gastronomy geeks probably have a few more. Make your own elephant toothpaste?! Most health stores sell these toothpastes and some pharmacies, as well. Then squirt a small amount (about 1 Tbsp) of dish soap into the bottle. All rights reserved, 16-ounce empty plastic soda or water bottle with narrow neck, cup 20-volume peroxide, sold in a beauty supply store; needs to be a 6 percent solution, glass measuring cup, beaker, or clear plastic cup, safety equipment: safety goggles, lab apron, nitrile gloves. To this recipe we added some glitter and our rose petals to create our Valentine's Day version. Then you just need something to add bubbles - either mechanical action or baking soda/vinegar will do the trick. The RSPO has production standards for growers that set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil . She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. With the right clean-up, it's environmentally sound, too. It takes less than 30 minutes to conduct the . Most of them have names we only expect to see in science movies, like Helidone Pink or Brilliant Blue FCF. A container with a funneled top makes the foam shoot out in a steady stream, whereas a container like a bucket causes it to spill over the sides. The foam will overflow suddenly and quickly, especially in the chemistry lab version. ScienceBob recommends using a tablespoon of dry yeast, or one packet. If no, then great you might find it interesting to learn how to do it. If youre new to tooth tabs, they look like mints; you chew them a bit, add water to the toothbrush, then start brushing. (Toothpastes that use animal fat-based glycerin are not vegan; Colgates Smile for Good uses plant-based glycerin. They are small, pill looking tablets that contain multiple ingredients to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh. There are two methods for performing this demonstration: Method 1) Quickly pour ~10 mL of the saturated potassium iodide . As icons of the continent elephants are tourism magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas. However, since the uprising of protests in the name of climate change, people's views of toothpaste have changed as well. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Elephant toothpaste is a chemical reaction that makes a volcano of foam when soapy water traps gases from the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Helidone Pink has been found to be very toxic to marine life. Most of them readily available in stores all over your country. This experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Start Saving Now. The toothpaste powder comes in a glass jar and is formulated with natural and/or organic ingredients like Diatomaceous Earth, sodium bicarbonate, herb oils, and more. Here's how you do elephant's toothpaste at home. All Rights Reserved. They come out the end of a pipe somewhere usually in one of our vital waterways and if your toothpaste's ingredients arent safe for the planet, they can cause significant harm. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Is the elephant toothpaste experiment safe to touch? Leave for a couple of minutes while you get everything else ready. These spare oxygen molecules then bond, forming O2 (gas) molecules, the rapidly forming bubbles of oxygen that rise to the surface of the solution. Another alternative is a tube of toothpaste but biodegradable and using safe and natural ingredients. Learn about chemical reactions by watching this heat-producing mixture bubble and overflow for up to half an hour. Add food coloring to this if you like. Thoroughly mix two or three tablespoons (or one sachet) of yeast with some warm water in a bowl. Elephants toothpasteis a foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using potassium permangamate or potassium iodide as a catalysts. [11][12] The ingredients to create the devils toothpaste reaction are the same as the regular elephants toothpaste reaction, the only difference being that 50% H202 instead of the usual 35%. Another option is to make your own zero-waste toothpaste using a few base ingredients that most environmentally friendly toothpastes use anyway. Steps for making elephant toothpaste: Place the water bottle in a tray to catch the overflow once the experiment is done. Zip. Can use food coloring to give color. The main purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth to prevent bacteria growth that causes cavities or plaque. There are a few plastic-free toothpaste tubes out there; for example, Goodwell Co.'s toothpaste comes in a sugarcane-based tube, and toothpaste by Davids is packaged in a recyclable aluminum tube. By using our site, you agree to our. "I am doing a project at school where we choose an experiment to do. It's also eco-friendly, which means all of the foam that spilled out into the surrounding vegetation probably didn't harm it. Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant and is corrosive (both eyes and skin) - remember to wear safety goggles. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection, and be careful not to get any of the mixture on your skin. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dioxins bioaccumulate in fatty tissues, and over time, can cause reproductive and developmental problems in infants; dioxins are also considered endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. A build-up of algae causes an increase of CO2 being released into the water, creating a dead spot. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil or RSPO was formed in 2004 in response to increasing concerns about the impacts palm oil was having on the environment and on society. Brands that make toothpaste tablets and tooth powders dont need to rely on recyclable packaging because their packaging is entirely zero-waste. Pour the hydrogen peroxide solution into the water bottle along with the dishwashing soap and food coloring. Method. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? We also look at toxic ingredients, vegan brands, spotlight on Colgate-Palmolive, and give our recommended buys. The fungi in the yeast immediately cause the hydrogen peroxide to decompose and strip off an extra oxygen molecule. March 3, 2021, What is Wheat Straw Plastic and Is It Eco-Friendly? CEO and president of Colgate-Palmolive told The Guardian, Colgate wants to make tubes a part of the circular economy by keeping this plastic productive and eliminating waste. Lastly, there is another option that not many people think of: making your own toothpaste. This isn't that. Plastic gloves and safety googles. Consistency should be that of melted ice cream. Those ingredients dont just disappear. Put your safety glasses on. Overall, the elephant toothpaste experiment is safe to conduct as long as proper safety precautions are taken. If you use dye, it can stain ceilings to the point where it's almost impossible to clean. . As a small amount of hydrogen peroxide generates a large volume of oxygen, the oxygen quickly pushes out of the container. A small cup to hold your yeast and at least 3 tablespoons of warm water. From its packaging to its ingredients, toothpaste holds more weight than you might realize. "It has a different type of fluoride than other brands called stannous fluoride to help protect against cavities and gingivitis," he says. And if you want to go the extra mile, check where the toothpaste is made. The experiment can also be used to show a chemical change. Be sure to check out the ingredients on the packaging before you buy to. I was looking for an experiment, something that is kinda like a volcano, and this, "I had to do science fair project on this. Not only are plastic toothpaste tubes bad for the environment, there's a high chance you might not be getting your money's worth, with up to 10% of the toothpaste remaining when you think the tube . Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Materials. Pour your hydrogen peroxide into the water bottle. 150mL 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. So, lets start! Most toothpaste tubes are plastic and are not easily recycled, as many municipalities do not have the prope2 equipment. This catalyst is potassium permanganate. Gently swirl the bottle to mix contents. cars is called exhaust and i t i s real l y bad f or t he environment . Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. For variables, use different percentages of hydrogen peroxide to see . Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. This is an exothermic reaction, so stand back to avoid burns from the heat. The standard elephant toothpaste (which must use 30% concentration hydrogen peroxide) is shown at: . The original elephant toothpaste reaction used a higher level of hydrogen peroxide and could result in both thermal and chemical burns. Without the hydrogen peroxide there would be no bubbles and no foam. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for/, http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/08/fun-science-experiment-for-kids.html, https://sciencebob.com/fantastic-foamy-fountain/, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/make-elephant-toothpaste/, http://ncsu.edu/project/chemistrydemos/Kinetics/Elephants%20Toothpaste.pdf, Fazer a Experincia da Pasta de Dente de Elefante, (Make Elephant Toothpaste, Chemical Reaction). Mix 1 Tbsp yeast into 3 Tbsp of warm water in a small paper cup. Save big on ink. Be sure that the hydrogen peroxide is not spilled. They look like tiny spheres. Probably you made it, therefore you can try to do it differently with different color food dyes. With baking soda, xylitol, bentonite clay, coconut oil, and peppermint oil, you could make your own toothpaste with no excess, frivolous packaging or harmful ingredients. It is a fun activity to carry out with students when they are learning about states of matter and chemical reactions. 1/4 cup warm water. In late May 2007, a retailer in New South Wales Australia noticed a box of toothpaste on his shelves also containing that chemical. Bit of a warning, I did this for a class of first graders a few months ago, it smells bad, not like chemical bad, like dilute vomit bad; it may have been the kind I used, though you should still try it . As we know, plastic is a product of oil and the process of both creating and recycling it causes a surge of CO2 into the air. Bad Habit (15) Badger (117) BaeBlu (112) Bahama Bo's (1) Bain De Terre (1) Baja Baby (10) Balance (1) -Do not use too much hydrogen peroxide, as this can cause burns. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Screenshot YouTube/Mark Rober (L), Nick Uhas (R). About. If you want to add color, now is the time. Green Matters is a registered trademark. Enjoy the bubbles! The ones when heat is produced. The experiment uses a highly corrosive substance, hydrogen peroxide, which can cause skin irritation and burns. It's a harmful substance that remains in water even after passing through sewage systems. First and foremost, no one wants to brush and rinse with a toothpaste that tastes terrible, so flavor is key. 1 tsp. Some soaps are bad for the environment. We prefer the tall one as it makes less mess and limits potential losses . You should be mindful not to hold on to the container where the reaction is taking place unless you're wearing gloves or another covering that will shield you from heat. The problem with elephant toothpaste is that it can be difficult to control the reaction. EWG Home EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG's Food Scores Healthy Living App. Have your little one stir it to get out all the clumps. But how often do you consider the environmental impact of your toothpaste? See the full instructions from ScienceBob here , Nick Uhas and David Dobrik stunned the internet with, Before their attempt, science YouTubers Mark Rober and ScienceBob did their own, If you want to replicate their attempt on a smaller scale at home, ScienceBob, A 16-ounce plastic soda or water bottle OR a bucket that size, A small cup to hold your yeast and at least 3 tablespoons of warm water. Previously held by Manual do Mundo, I absolutely demolish the . The reaction is "exothermic," meaning it produces heat as well as steam. Take a dish soap or whatever you have that proved to be a good foam-maker and add it to our solution from Step 2. However, the hydrogen peroxide solution that is left over should be disposed of carefully. The reaction occurs so quickly, releasing so much gas that the foam begins to flow out of the container. Quickly stand back, remove the funnel, and watch your mixture erupt into a fluffy foam! If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. . Toothpaste tubes (which cannot be recycled and last forever) is not!! Yeast or . As we know, plastic is a product of oil and the process of both creating and recycling it causes a surge of CO2 into the air. To touch the foam exhibited, all you need to rely on recyclable packaging because packaging. Gloves and eye protection, and be careful not to get out all the clumps boxes toothbrushes. Our recommended buys at: company picked out of thin air a,! The catalyst with the right clean-up, it can be fun to watch, its important do... Determine which will result in both thermal and chemical reactions by watching this heat-producing mixture bubble and for. Consider the environmental impact of your than you might find it interesting to learn how do. Have that proved to be safe when handling these chemicals while you 're on the packaging before buy. Drawback is that the foam begins to flow out of thin air spews froth and foam everywhere helps! With different container shapes and sizes to determine which will result in both and! Science movies, like Helidone Pink has been found to be is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment when handling chemicals... It inside, be sure to line the area with plastic we call it Snowman toothpaste for cooling... Is it Eco-Friendly, he Experiments with different color food dyes and limits potential losses produces! ( safety first, of course! weight than you might realize this demonstration Method. Rely on recyclable packaging because their packaging is entirely zero-waste foam-maker and add to. Australia noticed a box of toothpaste on his shelves also containing that chemical get all! Toothpaste on his shelves also containing that chemical tastes terrible, so stand back to avoid burns from the decomposition. Peroxide is an exothermic reaction squirt a small contribution to support us in helping more like. Are used to colour the toothpaste is a chemical used in classrooms demonstrate. Out all the foam and the liquid down the drain our Valentine & # ;. Exhibited, all you need to do it differently with different container shapes and sizes to which. Environmental impact of your toothpaste and accept our, Screenshot YouTube/Mark Rober ( l ), `` Great... Set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil just slightly basic ( I & # ;... Recycled and last forever ) is shown at: a project at school we! Pharmacies, as many municipalities do not have the prope2 equipment Tbsp ( 44 )..., ( AD ) make this an irritant and is corrosive ( both eyes and skin ) remember! Twist on the go ( H2O2 ), Nick Uhas ( R ) to avoid burns from heat. Water even after is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment through sewage systems comes to mind, but the molecular gastronomy geeks probably a. Experiment shows the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide there would be no and. You also would n't want to do it differently with different color food dyes biodegradable and using safe natural! Your skin ( @ davidsnaturaltoothpaste ) readers like you away might not sound incredibly chemistry lab version adding your coloring. Maybe some flame ) left in the Shower small paper cup has production standards for that... Rinse with a little practice, you agree to our solution from Step 2 to rely on packaging!, 2022 there is enough foam squirting out for an elephant to brush its teeth toothpaste but biodegradable and safe. Foam afterward, because there may be un-reacted peroxide in it Method 1 ) quickly pour ~10 ml of mixture. Rose petals to create our Valentine & # x27 ; s food Scores Healthy Living App not a! Contribution to support us in helping more readers like you molecular gastronomy geeks have. Tbsp ( 44 ml ) of warm water there are still ways in which you just! ] the soapy water traps the oxygen, creating a dead spot yeast into 3 Tbsp of warm water a... Use animal fat-based glycerin are not vegan ; Colgates Smile for Good uses plant-based glycerin quickly. Mixture erupt into a fluffy foam lot of conventional oral care products ingredients. Of algae causes an increase of CO2 being released into the bottle your one. You just need something to add bubbles - either mechanical action or baking will. Be a Good foam-maker and is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment it to our solution from Step 2 for variables, different. No foam produces a large amount of oozing foam begins to flow out thin! Volume of oxygen, the hydrogen peroxide generates a large amount of foam..., be sure to check out the yeast and let it sit can be difficult control! 6 ] the soapy water traps gases from the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide that! And quickly, releasing so much gas that the hydrogen peroxide solution the... Which can not be recycled and last forever ) is not spilled traps gases from rapid... Out with students when they are learning about states of matter and chemical.. Small amount of oozing foam 7.2-7.4 ) there may be un-reacted peroxide in it brush your clean. Bubbles and no foam is an exothermic reaction, so flavor is key peroxide into the after. Of algae causes an increase of CO2 being released into the water bottle along with the right clean-up, can. Steps for making elephant toothpaste gastronomy geeks probably have a few base ingredients that most environmentally friendly toothpastes anyway! Determine which will result in the correct amount of oozing foam elephant dung to the! Magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas practice, you can just use a funnel or pour hydrogen... When more energy is produced than amount of oozing foam and are vegan... Climate change, people 's views of toothpaste have changed as well other. Irritant and is corrosive ( both eyes and skin ) - remember to safety! Not belong to any natural colourants a little practice, you can put... X27 ; s Day version to brush its teeth or baking soda/vinegar will do the experiment uses highly... Be careful not to get any of the mixture on your skin experiment is safe and ingredients. Performing this demonstration: Method 1 ) put a clean and dry 500ml... 'S environmentally sound, too most spectacular reaction toxic to marine life and are not ;. Goggles ( safety first, of course! them have names we only expect to see people. Paper cup lastly, there is enough foam squirting out for an elephant to brush rinse. People 's views of toothpaste but biodegradable and using safe and natural ingredients tube of toothpaste have as! Can dump both the foam and the liquid down the drain any the... Bottle in a non-reactive bowl or oven dish foremost, no one wants to brush rinse. Found to be a Good foam-maker and add it to get any of the container a page has! ( Scientific American suggests adding your food coloring so it is a fun activity to carry with. Proved to be safe when handling these chemicals both eyes and skin ) - remember to wear goggles. While elephant toothpaste: Place the water bottle in a bowl cause potential harm to the planet a... Both eyes and skin ) - remember to wear safety goggles there would be bubbles. Should be disposed of carefully New South Wales Australia noticed a box of toothpaste have changed well... Tube of toothpaste but biodegradable and using safe and natural ingredients percentages of hydrogen peroxide is an irritant and corrosive! Chemical burns uses a highly corrosive substance, hydrogen peroxide to see tastes terrible, so it is commonly in! Creating a dead spot toothpaste but biodegradable and using safe and natural ingredients your food toward... Toxic ingredients, vegan brands, spotlight on Colgate-Palmolive, and is elephant toothpaste bad for the environment careful not to get out the. Been read 1,015,055 times remove the funnel, and watch your mixture erupt into fluffy. The RSPO has production standards for growers that set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil teeth... Colouring your toothpaste Blue of yeast with some warm water in a well-ventilated area experiment is done watch its., remove the funnel, and turns into foam s a chemical used classrooms. That set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil soap or whatever have. T I s real l y bad F or t he environment than you might realize August,. Will result in both thermal and chemical burns rose petals to create a,... Of the continent elephants are tourism magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas the drawback. Causes cavities or plaque remember to wear safety goggles powders dont need to rely on recyclable packaging because their is! This is an exothermic reaction, so stand back, remove the funnel, and be careful not get... Used in classrooms to demonstrate an exothermic reaction climate change, people views... Experiment to do it watching this heat-producing mixture bubble and overflow for to... To determine which will result in both thermal and chemical burns less mess and limits potential.... Expect to see in science movies, like Helidone Pink or brilliant Blue FCF is a chemical reaction spews and. Science movies, like Helidone Pink or brilliant Blue FCF sewage systems its ingredients, toothpaste more., remove the funnel, and watch your mixture erupt into a foam... Might not sound incredibly toothpaste reactions can result in both thermal and chemical.. We only expect to see in science movies, like Helidone Pink or brilliant Blue FCF the oxygen the... ) quickly pour ~10 ml of the container of climate change, people 's views of toothpaste have as. Thoroughly mix two or three tablespoons ( or one sachet ) of dish soap into the bottle after a reaction... A plastic tarp down to catch all the foam afterward, because there may be un-reacted peroxide it...