Taking Care of the Microscope

Supplies

Cotton Swabs, Alcohol (Ethanol or Methanol)
Window Cleaner,10X hand magnifier
Wipes (tissues or similar)

Daily Maintenance

1. Clean excess oil from oil objectives with cotton swabs and alcohol.

Weekly Maintenance

1. Remove the objectives one at a time by unscrewing them. Clean the front lens using cotton swabs and alcohol. Dip the swab in the alcohol and shake it once or twice so that it is moist. Start from the center of the lens wipe in a circular pattern until you reach the edge. Throw the swab away and examine the front with the magnifier. If it is still dirty then repeat. If the dirt on the objective is water based then dip the swab in window cleaner. Replace each objective by screwing them back in but never more than finger tight. If the objective looks hazy at any time then clean it.

2. Remove the slide holder by unscrewing the thumbscrews that hold it on and wipe the stage with a wipe dipped in alcohol then repeat with window cleaner. Clean the back of the slide holder and replace the slide holder and tighten the screws but no more than finger tight.

3. Use a cotton swab and alcohol clean the top of the condenser.

4. Use a cotton swab and window cleaner and clean each eyepiece.

5. Use a wipe and window cleaner wipe the in-base lens.

Do

Always start focusing using a low power objective and go up to a high power one. This prevents the high power objective from hitting the slide and hurting the high power objective.

Do Not!!!

-Clean inside an objective
-Clean inside an eyepiece
-Clean inside the condenser
-Clean an optical surface with a dry wipe or swab.