How to Clean Microscope Lenses
Keeping your microscope lens clean is vital to ensuring your equipment works properly when you need it. Only clean the lens of a microscope when it is dirty; cleaning it when it is not dirty only opens the door to scratches. A lens is dirty when there are particles visible in the field of view that do not move when the slide is adjusted but appear or disappear at different magnifications. If the particles are always there, try cleaning the eyepieces first. If the particles appear at only one magnification, it is likely the lens that needs cleaning. To properly clean your lenses, it is important to follow these easy steps that detail how to clean microscope lenses.
First: Gather the proper tools
Use only specialized, lens-cleaning paper, anything else can scratch the lenses and leave particles on the lens. Most microscopes come with some lens tissue and lens-cleaning solution, but these are also available through scientific outlets and camera stores. Laboratory Kimwipes work as well, and 90 percent isopropyl alcohol or greater works to help remove difficult particles.
Second: Gently clean the lens
Try using a dry lens tissue first. Loose dust and dirt are easily removed - use care to avoid dragging the particles across the lens, causing a scratch. If static cling causes a problem, a burst of air from a simple bulb can sometimes help. If the dry tissue does not sufficiently clean away the debris, place several drops of lens cleaner or alcohol on a new tissue, and wipe gently. If the debris is stubbornly stuck, try holding the tissue with solution in place on the lens for a few seconds before wiping the lens clean.