Cleaning slides lifehack

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Plasmid
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Cleaning slides lifehack

#1 Post by Plasmid » Mon Nov 30, 2020 6:25 pm

Are there any "lifehacks" to cleaning slides and coverglass?
I realize that they are disposable items, but in the spirit of conservation and for those of us that don't live in a place where amazon prime is available what options are there to safely and efficiently clean em?
I recently tried cleaning them on a baby bottle microwave sterilizer and did a decent job but cracked some of the coverglass.
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MicroBob
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Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#2 Post by MicroBob » Mon Nov 30, 2020 6:50 pm

Hi,
a 100x slide box without lid and with added hole sawed holes in the bottom can be used in the dish washer. Best results with fairly clean and freshly used slides and an empty dishwasher without any greasy stuff inside. Check first whether the slide boxes survive the temperature in the dish washer by washing one of the lids. Your baskest look good but couls probably be improved by some holes in the bottom and two stainless steel wired where the slides stand on without contact to the bottom.
I only soak slides and cover slips in dishwasing water and wash them by hand. Somtimes I use a ultrasonic bath, especially when pipettes are to be cleaned too.
My very first step is to divide cleanable from junk by means of two beakers.

Bob

Plasmid
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Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#3 Post by Plasmid » Tue Dec 01, 2020 5:09 am

Thank you will definitely try that.

Chris Dee
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Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#4 Post by Chris Dee » Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:58 am

I 3D printed a holder for 10 slides + covers that fits into a small 850ml 35w ultrasonic cleaner. One 8min run in dilute detergent (biological washer liquid), rinse under warm tap, spray rinse with distilled water then stand to dry. Best method I've found thus far that doesn't involve solvents etc. I get 3 re-uses on average this way before scratches inevitable result from handling. For me its about reducing the tedium of grading coverslip thickness :D


Charles
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Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#6 Post by Charles » Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:28 pm

I just let them soak in a warm dishwashing soap and water for a few minutes, then clean with a cleaning cloth and then rinse in hot water and as they are drip drying, dry with a lint free cloth.

Plasmid
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Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#7 Post by Plasmid » Tue Dec 01, 2020 11:11 pm

EYE C U wrote:
Tue Dec 01, 2020 12:11 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbicide ... %20present.
[/quote
Very interested in this...Have you had any luck with it reducing the sticky residue left on the glass from biological samples?

EYE C U
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Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:18 pm

Re: Cleaning slides lifehack

#8 Post by EYE C U » Fri Dec 04, 2020 7:28 pm

RAZOR BLADE THE HARD STUFF THEN SOAK...RINSE IN THE MORNING

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