Make pH Paper Test Strips

You can use red cabbage pH indicator to make your own pH paper test strips. It's simple to do and makes it much easier to test the pH of liquids since you just have to apply a drop to the strip to see the color change. I have a tutorial for making pH paper test strips, but here are quick instructions for how I made the strips featured in the photo:

1. Tear a red cabbage leaf into pieces and put the pieces into a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave the leaves 2-3 minutes or until they are cooked and soft. Allow the cabbage to cool.

3. Cut a coffee filter into test strips. The size and shape of the pH test strips isn't critical.

4. Press a cooked cabbage piece onto a test strip to saturate it with color.

5. You can use a toothpick to apply a drop of a chemical you want to test onto a damp test strip or you can allow the pH test strips to dry for use at a later time. The test strips will work equally well damp or dry.

6. If you are keeping the test strips for later, store them in a cool, dry location and keep them out of direct sunlight. A cardboard box or paper bag would work well.

Note: You don't have to use red cabbage juice to make the test strips. Other common household pH indicators will work really well. Try grape juice, blueberries, rose petals, turmeric, or curry powder.

Make Cabbage pH Paper Test Strips | Make Poinsettia pH Paper Test Strips