How to Test Tap Water and Bottled Water With pH Strips
- 1). Turn on the water source, most likely your sink, and let the water run for 30 seconds. Fill up a glass of water and let stand for a few minutes before testing the water. If testing bottled water, pour it into a clean glass.
- 2). Dip a test strip in the water and move it in a back and forth motion for about five seconds or whatever time indicated in the instructions that came with your kit. Make sure your hands are dry and the strip doesn't get wet before inserting into the water. This can alter the results.
- 3). Remove the strip from the water and lay it on a flat surface for 15 to 20 seconds. The color of the indicator tip will begin to change.
- 4). Match the color of the test strip with the color chart that came with your kit. Different colors will indicate the pH level, depending on the brand of test strips used. After determining the pH level, discard the strip. They cannot be used more than once.
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