Cleaning

General cleaning routine

For cleaning top part of the objectives/lenses and oculars only use lens cleaning tissue!

For cleaning other items, use paper towels (Kimtech) dipped in ethanol (if needed) (use the ethanol bottle that is for general use).

Every time you are finished please go through the following steps:

1. Turn on the lights, otherwise, you won't see well enough.
   
   
2. If you used an oil objective please remember to clean both the objective and the surrounding:
   • Clean the top part of the objectives. Only use lens cleaning tissue for this!
     You can dip the tissue in ethanol (use the ethanol bottle that is for cleaning the objectives only) for more persistent smears but usually, dry tissue is enough. Do not press hard on the lens. If there are solid particles (dust etc.) on the lens, they have to be removed before wiping. If you feel unsure, always ask BIU staff.
   • Check that there is no oil on the sides of the objective.
   • Check if there is any oil on the nosepiece (where the objectives are attached), stage, focusing knobs, oculars, or other parts of the microscope.
   • Also check and clean tables, oil bottles, joystick, and keyboard.

     
     

3. Check the microscope and surrounding for any other spillage (like mounting medium, cell culture medium etc).
   
   • Especially check and clean the sample holder
     
     
4. Check the oculars and clean them if necessary. Only use lens cleaning tissue!
   • If you have use the ocular correction, reset it to zero.

In case of larger spillage of liquids (oil, ethanol, culture media, etc.)

• Stop working immediately and clean up as much as possible
• Inform BIU staff. If you cannot reach us immediately please leave a message
• Do not remove the objectives or try to clean inside the microscope on your own
• Do not continue working and make sure that the next users do not use the microscope until it is properly cleaned

In case of glass breakage or solid objects (screws, dish lids, etc.) dropping into the microscope

• Stop working and try to remove as many of the foreign particles as you can easily reach. Do not attempt to remove objects that may scratch the objective lens or slip between the motorized components
• Be VERY careful when removing hard objects, otherwise, you may scratch the objective lenses
• Inform BIU staff. If you cannot reach us immediately please leave a message
• Do not remove the objectives or try to clean inside the microscope on your own
• Do not continue working and make sure that the next users do not use the microscope until it is properly cleaned