How to clean

objectives

Objective lenses are arguably the most important element in a microscope. Dust, fingerprints,
old immersion medium and grease on the lens can severely impact image quality. To ensure
the maximum performance of your microscope system, regular cleaning of objectives is
recommended.

Cleaning tools and reagents

● Blower: for blowing away dust
● Lens cleaning brush or soft brush: for removing dust that remains ②
④
after using the blower
● Lens cleaning paper (Dusper®, made of rayon, is recommended),
①
③
soft cotton cloth, or gauze: for wiping the lens after soaking in
absolute alcohol or petroleum benzine
● Absolute ethanol: for wiping off soluble smudges or grease (a push

dispenser is convenient)
⑤
● Petroleum benzine: for wiping off immersion oil ⑥
● Distilled water or ultrapure water: for removing dust or culture
①Lens cleaning paper ②Absolute ethanol
medium that remains after cleaning with absolute ethanol/petroleum ③Cleaning brush ④Blower
benzine ⑤Cleaning stick ⑥Push dispenser

● Magnifying lens: for checking on the progress of cleaning

● Gloves: for protecting the skin from solvents and to prevent fingerprints on the lens
● Cleaning stick: to be used wrapped in cleaning paper as shown below. A stick of up to 5mm diameter made of

willow wood is recommended.

* To prevent additional dust/dirt from attaching to the lens during the cleaning procedure, we recommend using a clean work surface.

Preparing and sharpening the cleaning sticks How to wrap the lens cleaning paper
Sharpen the tips of the sticks before wrapping the ends with lens around a cleaning stick
cleaning paper. Whittle one end to make a wide tip (up to 3.5 –
4 mm) and the other end into a narrow tip (up to 1 – 1.5 mm).
Single-use cotton swabs
can be used in place of lens
cleaning paper. The round
type is suitable for cleaning
large lenses and the cone type
is suitable for cleaning small
lenses or high-magnification
objectives.

Left: wider tip,

right: narrow tip
 Cleaning dry objectives
① Removal of dust
- Blow away dust using a blower.
- Remove the remaining dust using a soft brush or cotton cloth.
② Removal of fingerprints or grease
Wipe with lens cleaning paper (or a soft cotton cloth) soaked in absolute ethanol.
How to wipe a lens How to use the lens cleaning paper
* Wiping tip
Do not wipe the lens
with a section of the lens
cleaning paper that has
been previously used.

Wipe the lens in a You can put an objective on a desk and Wipe the lens with Wipe the lens
circular motion from rotate the objective while maintaining lens cleaning paper using a corner
center to edge. slight pressure on the lens with a stick wrapped around the tip of folded lens
wrapped in lens cleaning paper. of a cleaning stick. cleaning paper.

Cleaning oil immersion objectives

① Wipe off the oil completely using lens cleaning paper soaked in petroleum benzine*.
② Perform final cleaning with lens cleaning paper soaked in absolute ethanol as described in step ② of "cleaning dry
objectives".
Note: The same applies to silicone oil immersion objectives.
* If you cannot obtain benzine, absolute ethanol can also be used. However, as the detergency of absolute ethanol is weak, multiple wiping (three to
four times) with new lens cleaning paper soaked in ethanol may be required.

Cleaning water immersion objectives

① After the immersion water evaporates, there is a chance that dust in the water will remain on the lens and become
resistant to removal with absolute ethanol. To prevent this problem, objectives should be cleaned after each use, before
the water evaporates.
② If any dust remains, wipe the lens gently with lens cleaning paper soaked in distilled or ultrapure water.
③ Perform final cleaning with lens cleaning paper soaked in absolute ethanol as described in step ② of "cleaning dry
objectives".
Note: The same applies to glycerin immersion objectives.

CAUTION
● Petroleum benzine and absolute ethanol are highly combustible. Observe due caution when handling and storing. Keep
away from heat or sources of ignition.
● Wear rubber finger tips or gloves to prevent petroleum benzine or absolute ethanol from coming into contact with the skin.
● Use petroleum benzine only for removing immersion oil.
● Do not use petroleum benzine or absolute ethanol for resin, coated, and printed parts of objectives. Otherwise, discoloration
or erasure of the printed characters may occur.
● Follow manufacturer's directions when handling petroleum benzine or absolute ethanol.

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