zestygirl
1994, 2000 Hoping for #3!
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2009
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- 341
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Ok.
I know that manufacturers, drs, nurses and other authorities on pregnancy testing are not going to like this, but I really believe this DIY method can save a lot of heartache for ttc'ers staring longingly at a faint line and wondering: "is it an Evap or is it positive?" Here is my homegrown solution, without having to retest! This is an especially useful method for tests that are streaky with runny dye, very dark, or stained on account of very dark urine:
1) dry the suspect test completely. I'm pretty sure most POAS addicts are familiar with how to break a cassette to remove the strip, so I won't explain
you don't have to take the strip out, but it will dry much faster if you do.
2) Once the test is totally bone dry (DON'T use an external heat source to dry it. I've tried this and it produces a false line.) let it air dry au naturale.
3) now that its dry: take a drop or two of water and drip onto the absorbent strip, onto the same spot where you deposited urine originally.
This is where it will be interesting, particularly on very pee-stained tests. Watch as all the pee is "washed" through the test, past the test and control lines, and into the absorbent end. Notice how the control line is still bright red??? Ya. That's because the dye DOESN'T wash off like the pee. Same for the test line!!
You should be left with a pristinely white, moist test. If indeed it was an evap line, the test will look negative (because you've "washed off" the stains, and additionally, re moistened what is possibly simply a dried out control line which can also produce a strong Evap line.)
If however, it is dye that caught your eye- well- it should be even easier to see now.
I can't vouch for the perfection in this method, but I DO know for a fact that you can't wash the pink line off a truly positive test.
If anyone tries this method, please let me know how it goes!
They're used tests anyways, so what've you got to lose?
Good Luck and lots of
I know that manufacturers, drs, nurses and other authorities on pregnancy testing are not going to like this, but I really believe this DIY method can save a lot of heartache for ttc'ers staring longingly at a faint line and wondering: "is it an Evap or is it positive?" Here is my homegrown solution, without having to retest! This is an especially useful method for tests that are streaky with runny dye, very dark, or stained on account of very dark urine:
1) dry the suspect test completely. I'm pretty sure most POAS addicts are familiar with how to break a cassette to remove the strip, so I won't explain
you don't have to take the strip out, but it will dry much faster if you do.2) Once the test is totally bone dry (DON'T use an external heat source to dry it. I've tried this and it produces a false line.) let it air dry au naturale.
3) now that its dry: take a drop or two of water and drip onto the absorbent strip, onto the same spot where you deposited urine originally.
This is where it will be interesting, particularly on very pee-stained tests. Watch as all the pee is "washed" through the test, past the test and control lines, and into the absorbent end. Notice how the control line is still bright red??? Ya. That's because the dye DOESN'T wash off like the pee. Same for the test line!!
You should be left with a pristinely white, moist test. If indeed it was an evap line, the test will look negative (because you've "washed off" the stains, and additionally, re moistened what is possibly simply a dried out control line which can also produce a strong Evap line.)
If however, it is dye that caught your eye- well- it should be even easier to see now.
I can't vouch for the perfection in this method, but I DO know for a fact that you can't wash the pink line off a truly positive test.
If anyone tries this method, please let me know how it goes!
They're used tests anyways, so what've you got to lose?
Good Luck and lots of
x
