MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Thank you for the help with cover slip handling.

Under the cleaning subject I found and downloaded the Zeiss clean microscope pamphlet. Zeiss recommends several different cleaning items. When I look them up on the web they are sold in large quantities and are expensive. My intention is to clean a couple of microscopes, not to get into the microscope service business. It seems the reason Zeiss recommends cleaning supplies is because anything else would leave residue on the optics. Any ideas on how to obtain residue free items at a lower cost?

Thank you,

Neil Hildebrandt

Here are some posts:

You can buy these on Amazon, and they unlike microfiber products, won't damage any coatings:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7624

Newport Optics has a page listing more common solvents:
https://www.newport.com/n/how-to-clean-optics

Zeiss recommends several different cleaning items.

The booklet gives sound advice.

They provide several alternatives - these are the ones I chose and use:

• Isopropanol: available at chemists, drugstores, Ebay and Amazon

• Cotton wool: High purity cotton (e.g. that used in ophthalmology if possible)

• Bamboo stick: Long, thin wooden sticks, preferably of bamboo (obtainable from Chinese restaurant suppliers) or a comparable not too flexible material.

• Dust blower.

That is really all you need.

NEILH wrote:Thank you for the help with cover slip handling.

Under the cleaning subject I found and downloaded the Zeiss clean microscope pamphlet. Zeiss recommends several different cleaning items. When I look them up on the web they are sold in large quantities and are expensive. My intention is to clean a couple of microscopes, not to get into the microscope service business. It seems the reason Zeiss recommends cleaning supplies is because anything else would leave residue on the optics. Any ideas on how to obtain residue free items at a lower cost?

Thank you,

Neil Hildebrandt

To 75RR's list I would only add
1. Lintless tissues. KimWipes, or the very soft cloth sold in eyeglass shops for cleaning eyeglasses.
2. Q-tips, available from supermarkets, pharmacies etc.
3. Distilled water.