IN THIS CHAPTER
Why the right cleaning is important
Dirt is not equal to dirt
How to clean in a proper way
Chapter 16
Ten Tips and Tricks to
Handle and Clean Your
Microscope
A microscope often represents a significant investment, so you’ll want to take
good care of it. They are sophisticated optical instruments that require
periodic
maintenance and cleaning to guarantee successful microscopy
and perfect images. Over the years, a variety of cleaning procedures have been
recommended. The choice of the best cleaning method depends on the nature of
the optical surface and the type of substance to be removed.
Handle with Care
Your microscope is best kept in a quiet workplace, not too small and vibration-
free. Try to avoid a place directly in front of the window. The incoming light may
lead to stray light and badly influence your imaging results. If you need to carry
your microscope, you should always use two hands. Do not grab the objective in
the nosepiece turret to have a better grip. Carry it carefully, ensuring that you do
not knock it against anything. Even if you have a solid, sturdy-looking instrument,
it contains complex optics from diverse lenses, which hate shaking. When you
have finished your work, switch the microscope off and cover it with a dust cover.
Dust is an enemy to your lenses!