If you’re a middle school science teacher looking for a hands-on way to bring chemistry concepts to life, this lab on the pH of household items is a total win. It’s easy to set up, fun for students, and gives them a chance to test real substances they encounter every day. Best of all? It works whether you have a full lab setup or you’re making do with a rolling cart and a handful of pipettes.
Let me be real: I’ve taught middle school science in classrooms where chaos was the norm—behavior issues, no designated lab space, and not nearly enough time. The idea of pulling off a lab felt exhausting. That’s why I started creating science labs that are simple, engaging, and realistic for everyday classrooms.
This lab explores the pH of household items using litmus paper, pH strips, and (optionally) a pH meter. It’s easy to scale up or down depending on your materials and your comfort level—and it gets students excited about real-world science.
If you’re nervous about managing labs, I’ve got your back. I wrote this with you in mind. Keep reading to get all my tips!
Need the student worksheet that goes with this lab? Grab it here!
The best part? You don’t need anything fancy. Here’s what I recommend:
Red and blue litmus paper
pH paper (0–14 range works great)
Optional: pH meter (if available)
Well plates, small cups, or test tubes
Disposable pipettes or droppers
Paper towels
Plates or trays. I would recommend you use something to contain the mess when students start dripping liquids all over the place.
A variety of common household substances (see list below!)
Here are 20+ common substances that work great for this lab. Choose a variety so students can compare strong vs. weak acids and bases:
Tap water
Distilled water
Salt water
Vinegar
Lemon juice
Orange juice
Soda (cola or clear)
Coffee
Milk
Buttermilk
Hydrogen peroxide
Hand soap
Shampoo
Baking soda solution
Bleach (diluted)
Ammonia (handle with care!)
Mouthwash
Sugar water
Cornstarch mixed with water
Antacid tablet solution (like Tums)
Apple juice
Liquid dish soap
Glass cleaner (like Windex)
Laundry detergent solution
Mystery substance (pick one from the list and don’t tell students!)
Make predictions about whether each item is acidic, basic, or neutral.
Use litmus paper to observe color changes.
Use pH paper to determine a more exact pH value.
Optionally, use a pH meter for even greater accuracy.
Test a mystery substance and identify it based on the data collected.
Wrap up with analysis questions that connect the lab to the real world.
Use small amounts—and plan ahead. Students only need a few drops of each substance. Either portion them out in advance or assign the task to a student with a steady hand. A dropper, pipette, or small funnel makes this step much easier. Avoid pouring directly from the original container—it gets messy fast. I like the idea of decanting the liquids into bottles with droppers like these (see below) to keep from having to pour from a large container.
Keep the mystery alive. Switch out the mystery substance between class periods to keep students curious and prevent spoilers from spreading.
Watch out for soap clogs. Some thicker substances, like hand soap, can clog pipettes. Have extras on hand or rinse them between samples to avoid delays.
Use small amounts—and plan ahead. Students only need a few drops of each substance. Either portion them out in advance or assign the task to a student with a steady hand. A dropper, pipette, or small funnel makes this step much easier. Avoid pouring directly from the original container—it gets messy fast.
Double-check your tools. If you’re using inexpensive pH paper like I did, don’t rely on it as your only test method. I found the results to be a bit , so it’s a good idea to test substances using multiple indicators (like litmus paper or a pH meter if you have one).
Teaching the pH of household items doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With a few simple materials and a clear plan, you can deliver a lesson your students will remember—and you don’t even need a fancy lab to do it.
If you need the student sheet, you can grab mine here. Along with the printable PDF, you’ll also get:
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