How to Find

 

How to Find Out What Everyday Things Are Made Of – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a **step-by-step guide** to help you find out what everyday things are made of — whether it’s your shampoo, smartphone, frying pan, or even your shoes. With a little curiosity and the right tools, you can uncover the materials, chemicals, and components behind the products you use daily.

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## 🔍 **How to Find Out What Everyday Things Are Made Of — Step-by-Step Guide**

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### 🧭 Step 1: **Identify the Product Specifically**

Start by narrowing it down:

* What exactly is the product? (e.g., “plastic food container” vs. just “container”)

* Is there a **brand name, model, or label**?

* Check for any **symbols** (like recycling numbers) or **text** printed on it — this can give quick clues about materials.

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### 🏷️ Step 2: **Check the Label or Packaging**

For consumer goods like food, cosmetics, or clothing:

* Look for **ingredient lists**, **material tags**, or **certifications**.

* For clothing: tags might say "100% cotton" or "polyester."

* For food or beauty products: labels must list all **ingredients** by law.

* Electronics or cookware: packaging often lists materials like “stainless steel” or “aluminum core.”

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### 🧪 Step 3: **Look for Material or Recycling Codes**

Many plastic and metal products have codes or symbols:

* Plastics: 🔁 **#1 PET**, **#2 HDPE**, etc. — each number reveals the type of plastic.

* Metals: look for labels like **304 stainless steel** or **anodized aluminum**.

* Electronics: often marked with **RoHS**, **CE**, or material composition info on the back or bottom.

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### 🌐 Step 4: **Search the Manufacturer’s Website**

If you have a brand or product name:

* Go to the official website.

* Check product **specifications**, **FAQs**, or **safety data sheets (SDS)**.

* Look for sections like "What's it made of?" or "Product composition."

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### 🧑‍🔬 Step 5: **Use Ingredient or Material Databases**

For deeper research:

* **INCI Decoder**: for beauty and skincare products

* **PubChem** or **ChemSpider**: to look up chemical compounds

* **GoodGuide** or **EWG's Skin Deep**: product safety and ingredients

* **MatWeb.com**: technical data on metals, plastics, rubbers, etc.

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### 📱 Step 6: **Use a Product Scanner App**

Apps like:

* **Yuka**, **Think Dirty**, or **EWG Healthy Living** (for food/beauty)

* **Barcode Scanner + Google Search** (for general items)

  Just scan the barcode and get product details and materials.

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### 📚 Step 7: **Look It Up in Product Forums or Communities**

If it’s not on the label or online, try:

* Reddit threads (like r/whatisthisthing or r/chemistry)

* Specialty forums (electronics, tools, cookware)

* YouTube teardown or review videos — many creators open up and explain what’s inside

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### 🛠️ Step 8: **Conduct a Safe Material Test (Last Resort)**

If you're still unsure and it's safe to test:

* **Magnet test**: Is it ferrous metal (like steel)?

* **Burn test (for fabrics only!)**: cotton, wool, and synthetics burn differently

* **Water test**: does it float, dissolve, swell?

**⚠️ Always use caution — never test unknown materials by smell or taste.**

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## ✅ Summary: Quick Reference

| Step | Action | Best For |

| ---- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |

| 1 | Identify product details | Everything |

| 2 | Read label/tags | Food, clothing, cosmetics |

| 3 | Look for codes/symbols | Plastics, electronics |

| 4 | Check manufacturer website | Specific products |

| 5 | Use ingredient/material databases | Chemicals, skincare, plastics |

| 6 | Scan with an app | Quick product info |

| 7 | Search communities/forums | Rare or complex items |

| 8 | Safe DIY tests | Fabric, metals, plastics (only if safe) |