How to Keep Your Microscope Clean

Preventing your microscope from being contaminated and keeping it perfectly adjusted is an important first step to maintain its image quality. Below, find working steps to support you with this*.

In order to recognize dirt on optical surfaces, you should have an idea of the best result you can expect from a specific microscopy method and a specific application. If you then compare your expectation with the visual image in terms of maximum definition, best contrast, and cleanness, you will immediately recognize whether or not your microscope is soiled anywhere.

If the sharpness or contrast of the image is less than optimum, there is a high probability that your microscope optics are not clean. Here are the steps to locate the dirt*.

In a next step, it is necessary to differentiate between dust particles (e.g. glass abraded from specimen slides or flakes of the microscopist's skin) and other kinds of soiling (e.g. liquid or dried-up embedding or immersion media).

Dust may either rest loosely on optical surfaces or sticks less to them. Other dirt may be soluble in water or need organic solvents for complete removal.

Find an overview of selected types of soiling here*.

A blurred image may not always be due to dirt. Using an objective with a large numerical aperture in conjunction with a cover slip of the wrong thickness may result in blurred images (spherical aberration). However, if the image still appears blurred, cleaning the objective can solve the issue*:

This document/webpage summarizes general decontamination and disinfecting methods and recommendations without being meant to replace a scientists expertise nor medical or professional advice. ZEISS shall not be held responsible for and makes no representation as to the suitability or effectiveness of any method and/or disinfectant mentioned. ZEISS shall not be held responsible for any damage resulting from the disinfecting of the Microscope System outside of this document/webpage. The use of methods which deviate from the recommended ones is at the own risk and sole responsibility of the user and voids the warranty.

Filter cubes of microscopes and internal optical components must be cleaned only by service technicians, who are authorized by Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH. For cleaning IT equipment, please follow the guidance of your local IT department. Do not use abrasive compounds or cleaners as they can scratch surfaces and negatively affect protective coatings of the parts of your microscope.