By  Gabriel Dockery Updated Mar 24, 2022

Ph is the relative acidity or basicity of a substance. This value is important information to have in many situations as the pH level of a substance dictates its safety, chemical reactivity and effects on the environment. Everyone from chemical engineers to home gardeners can make use of the pH information for a specific substance. This value is so important that the ability to test the pH of a substance, such as oil, has been around for many years and can easily be accomplished.

Step 1

Remove a universal indicator strip from its container.

Step 2

Dip one end of the universal indicator strip into the oil for which you want to test the pH level.

Step 3

Set the universal indicator on a dry surface for 60 seconds to allow the pH reading to take place.

Step 4

Compare the changed color of the universal indicator paper to that of the pH chart that accompanied the paper's packaging.

Step 5

Match the new color of the universal indicator paper to that of the chart to find an exact pH match.