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1. Wash process: Fill the 250ml beaker for coverslips (or the 1000 ml beaker for slides) with de-ionized water to the 50 — 75ml level (or 400 — 500ml for slides) and heat on the hot plate to just below the boiling point. Add 1/4 capful liquid concentrate soap for coverslips (or 1/2 capful for slides).
   
   FROM THIS POINT ON: Wear gloves and use forceps for handling. Touch only the edges of the coverslips with gloves and hold them at a corner with the forceps. Be sure not to scratch surfaces.
   
   
2. Place the coverslips (or slides) in the beaker ONE AT A TIME.

3. Place the covered beaker in sonic washer for 30 minutes. Keep water level in beakers and in the sonic washer 1/4 inch above the slides and coverslips. (Excess water takes more time to heat up.)
   
   
4. Rinse process: Pour soap solution out of the beaker. Fill with de-ionized water above the coverslips or slides. Rinse the inside of the beaker as you fill it. Swirl gently for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not shake as this may scratch surfaces. Pour water out. Repeat this 10 times to get rid of the soap. Rinse 9 more times, and every third time cover and place the beaker in sonic washer for 6 minutes.
   
   
5. Fill a clean rinse beaker with de-ionized water and transfer the coverslips or slides ONE at a time into the new beaker. Tilt the beaker so that the coverslips stand on edge and lean against the wall of the beaker. This position will facilitate their removal with forceps.

YOU MAY TAKE A BREAK AFTER STEP 5 IS COMPLETED

6. Rinse process continued: Pour water out of beaker and continue rinsing as in step 4 except rinse just 4 times, and every other time place the covered beaker in the sonic washer for 5 minutes.
   
   
7. Fill the second rinse beaker with de-ionized water and repeat steps 5 and 6.
   
   
8. Fill alcohol beaker with 80% ETOH and place coverslips/slides ONE BY ONE into the beaker. Using gloves and forceps touch only the edges of the coverslips or slides.
   
   Drying process: Remove one coverslip at a time and immediately place it on a rotor in the Spin Clean dryer. Place **4 to 8 coverslips, then close the cover and press the start button briefly. The rotors will spin for about 6 seconds and then stop. Remove the coverslips with dried forceps and replace them in their original box and cover. **Coverslips must be spun while wet.
   
   When using the Slide Clean dryer, visually inspect for dryness; if droplets or rainbow colors are present, then more drying time is needed. To store the cleaned slides, fold a piece of lens tissue so it covers the bottom of the box and then fold over the top over the slides to act as a dust cover.

SEE: How to Clean Glassware