Get Your Objectives in Order

Cole-Parmer Compound Microscope

Cole-Parmer Compound Microscope 48923-20

Properly storing your microscope and keeping your microscope objectives clean are essential to extending the life of this valuable laboratory instrument.  Most microscopes purchased include a dust cover. Be sure to use it every time you store your microscope.

How to clean your optics:

Set up a tool kit with common cleaning items to keep near your microscopes. Clean your microscope objectives routinely, and be sure to wipe off excess immersion oil after each use.

Air Bulb or Air Puffer

Air puffer or squeeze bulb

Your cleaning tool kit should minimally contain an air puffer or squeeze bulb  to remove particles on the surface of the objectives.  Do not begin cleaning the surface of the objective if objects are present.  Small dust particles, dirt, or remaining specimens could be present and scratch the lens during wiping.

Camel Hair Brush

Camel Hair Brush

If particles remain on the objectives after using a puffer, a soft camel hair brush may be used.  Gently brush the objectives in a single motion.

When cleaning the lenses, avoid commercial facial tissue or Kimwipes® as these may contain silicone fillers that can damage the objective glass.

Use only lens paper on microscope objectives. To clean the objectives, place a sheet of lens paper over your objective.

Transfer Pipette

Transfer Pipette

Apply a small amount of cleaning solution directly to your lens paper with a plastic transfer pipette.  Draw your wetted lens paper across the objective in a single continuous motion. Do not wipe back and forth with the lens paper.

The process may be repeated multiple times with new lens paper and solution until the objective lens is free of smudges. A solution of 50% Methanol may be used as a final cleaning agent to remove any remaining residue.  Never rub the lens and do not let the lens paper with cleaning solution touch the objective twice.  Clean in single, continuous swipes across the objective glass.

Lab Optic Cleaning Kit

Lab Optic Cleaning Kit

Cole-Parmer offers a pre-built cleaning kit which contains an anti-static brush, probe, micro-fiber cleaning cloth, and a bottle of cleaning solution.

2 Comments on "Get Your Objectives in Order"

  1. Excellent! What a thorough explanation of the proper way to clean and care for a microscope! The children in my 8th grade science class will all benefit from reading this blog. Thanks!

  2. This is some great info on Microscope cleaning! Thanks for these details. Very well explained.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: