How to Clean a Slide Dryer: Step-by-Step Guide

Slide Dryer and its Cleaning Procedure

As its name indicates, these are mainly to heat the slides used to test the specimens in the microscope. The slide dryer is primarily used to heat the slides so that no other moisture droplet can remain on the slide, and the accurate and precise image can be easily observed under the microscope. The moisture content in the slide can make the image blur, and thus, it should be removed to have a clear image of the specimen available on the slide. The slide dryer is one of the most essential apparatus in the lab since it mainly helps in the drying process for precise observation under the microscope. 

General Characteristics of Slide Drying Apparatus 

The general characteristics of the slide dryer are as follows:

• It has automatic memory, and automatic restore functions are already saved.
• The automatic programming of the machine can set the powers on and off, which can be easily arranged at any time of the day. 
• The temperature of the slide dryer can easily be measured through the temperature detection blocks; also, this controls the accurate and precise temperature of the slide dryer for a longer time. 
• Most slide dryers have a black surface so that the slide dryer won’t go into the abrasion and corrosion condition. 
• It offers a correctly assembled place to adjust the slides so that they dry properly.  
• It also provides a place to adjust the slides so the researcher won’t face difficulty transferring the specimen slides. 
• The up-to-date new slide dryers come with the latest technologies of thermal conductivity controlled by PID. 

How to Clean a Slide Dryer? 

It’s tricky to handle this essential laboratory equipment. The slide dryer is one of science and biological laboratories’ most readily available apparatuses. This everyday element must be cleaned from time to time so that it won’t affect the slide’s specimen. If it does not remain in the cleaned condition, the slide for heating purposes, when placed at the top level of the dryer, will get some dust and dirt. Eventually, the end observation under the microscope will be affected. Therefore, proper cleaning is necessary. However, the step-by-step cleaning procedure for the slide dryer is mentioned below: 

• Ensure the power plug switch button of the slide dryer is off. 
• Take it out of the laboratory so that no dust or dirt can disseminate in the air during cleaning and dusting. 
• Now, take a dry cloth (non-thread shredding) and wipe out the slide dryer plate properly so that each corner will become dust-free. 
• Dip another piece of clothing material (non-thread shredding) into the solution of 70% isopropylene or ethanol so that no germ or contamination remains where microscopic slides are placed. 

Benefits of Using a Slide Dryer in the Laboratory 

The slide dryer helps offer a clear vision of the slide specimen under the microscopic area. Moreover, the medical researcher can better visualise the anatomical structures, i.e., the tissue and organ histology and pathology. In addition, the slide dryers facilitate better treatment outcomes. The doctors and the researchers tried different treatment methods; thus, the slide dryer helped them choose the best preventive and treatment options. 

The slide dryer also provides greater accuracy in the results because the extra moisture content is evaporated mainly. Thus, the moisture-free sample can easily be visualised under the microscope. Besides, it offers a uniform place for the slides to hold them safely for longer. 

Conclusion 

The cleaning of the slide dryer is precautious since this laboratory equipment principally deals with the slide specimens and remains in direct contact with the sterilised microscopic slides. Therefore, this laboratory equipment must be cleaned and remain dust and dirt-free so that it functions properly and no other dust particles can stick to the slide. That way, the proper clear visualisation will take much work to observe. The cleaning process includes wiping off the equipment with dry and wet clothing material soaked in 70% ethanol or in the isopropylene solution so that no microorganisms remain on the plate. 

This slide dryer is used in the biological and science laboratory for various purposes, i.e., to find the proper treatment plan for any disease, to study the anatomical structures of human organs and tissues, and to diagnose specific diseases. In all conditions, a slide dryer is mandatory to evaporate the moisture content from the slide so that a proper clear vision can be observed under the microscope and there will be no chances of error in the study.