Q&A for How to Make Homemade pH Paper Test Strips

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Where's a good place to buy litmus paper cheaply?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. 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.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

Litmus paper is available at big-box stores like Walmart. You can also order it online.

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Question

What kind paper should I use?

Community Answer

Use acid-free paper -- most paper products have this labeled on them if they are acid-free. Check in the arts and crafts or the paper and printing sections of your local stationery stores or supermarkets.

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Question

Is hydrogen peroxide a base or an acid?

Community Answer

Hydrogen peroxide is neither a base nor an acid because it does not fully or partially dissociate in water to form hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions.

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Question

Can I also test fruits on the homemade pH paper?

Community Answer

Yes, you should be able to test fruits on the homemade pH paper.

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Which color does the cabbage dyed paper change if it is acidic?

Community Answer

The paper starts blueish/purple, then turns greenish for basic or reddish for acidic.

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Question

How long does it take for litmus paper to change colour after it was dipped in water?

Community Answer

According to the wiki, it shouldn't change color if dipped in a neutral liquid (water), which has a pH of 7.0.

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Question

How do I make pH paper without red cabbage?

Community Answer

Marshmallow extract also can be used as pH indicator. It is blue at pH 7, red in acidic pH, and green in alkali conditions.

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Question

So, how do I use the first method's test strip once I have made it?

Community Answer

Just dip it into a substance and check it. For example, dip it in water and take it out.

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Question

Can I use A4 paper to make homemade pH paper test strips?

Community Answer

Yes, the size of the paper is not important. You do, however, need to verify that you have 'acid-free' A4 paper, for obvious reasons.

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Question

Can I get cancer from this?

Han

Community Answer

Water, cabbage, acid-free paper, isopropyl alcohol and litmus powder are not known carcinogens, so you most likely won't get cancer from this.

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Can I use blueberries instead of cabbage when making homemade pH paper test strips?

Community Answer

No, red cabbage contains a water-soluble pigment called anthocyanin that changes color when it is mixed with an acid or a base.

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Question

Is there an alternative for isopropyl alcohol and litmus powder?

Community Answer

You can us ethanol, which you might be able to buy at the liquor store under the brand "Everclear." Any 100% or high concentration ethanol should work, so long as it is a pure product or alcohol/water solution.

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Can I use rubbing alcohol instead of isopropyl?

Community Answer

No, because they are totally different, and they have different chemical properties.

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Question

What pH level do bananas and plantains need?

Community Answer

Bananas and plantains need a soil pH of between 5-7 to grow properly.

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Question

Can we use marshmallow extract instead of cabbage?

Community Answer

Yes! You can use marshmallow extract instead of cabbage because it also changes colour when it comes into contact with an acidic or a basic substance.

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Question

What color do the pH paper test strips turn and what do they mean?

Community Answer

Any pH from 0-6 - red-yellow; pH 7 - green; any pH from 8-14 - blue-purple. Any pH from 0-6 means it is acidic; a pH 7 means it is neutral and a pH 8-14 means it is alkaline.

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Question

i don't have cabbage, or marshmallow extract, or litmus powder. what do I do?

Startrekker

Community Answer

Use turmeric. Turmeric changes from yellow to orange in bases and shows no colour change in acids. You can use turmeric powder as it is, or mix it with water and soak the paper in it. Cut strips of paper.

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