• Microscope slides and cover glasses should be rotated. Rotation is the first line of defense against temperature and humidity changes resulting in moisture contamination. Slides should not be stored on concrete floors and should be kept as far away as possible from doors and heating and air conditioning ducts to minimize temperature and humidity changes.

 

  • Slide and cover glass cases should be allowed to come to room temperature in the lab before they are opened.

 

  • These precautions will minimize the chances of slides and cover glasses developing problems related to moisture contamination such as sticking and corrosion of the glass surface. Slides do not necessarily have to be old to have been affected by moisture. The change of a moisture contamination increases with the age of the product.