[Histonet] Acid-cleaning of slides for metals stains

[Esther C Peters]

We are going to do special stains for iron (Perl's Prussian Blue for ferric iron, Mallory's Method from WebPath: Internet Pathology Laboratory) and copper (Rhodanine from Carson and Hladik) in mouse livers. We have on hand unopened boxes of plus-charged microscope slides. Do we need to acid clean these slides before we put sections on them for these stains (understanding that the charge will no longer exist, but the cleaning is more important for these stains)?

I would also appreciate any insights about the best acid-cleaning procedure for all glassware for these stains. I have used nitric acid in the past, swirling it around the staining dishes and covering glass racks in a staining dish (how long should this be for?), then rinsing with double-deionized water (or would you recommend distilled only?). Thank you! 

Esther C. Peters, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Science & Policy
Biology Program/Medical Technology Coordinator
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MSN 5F2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Office: David King Hall 3057
Phone: 703-993-3462
Fax: 703-993-1066
epeters2 <@t> gmu.edu