Edna-
We don't exactly re-use them, but we do clean them for hours (12 h) in 1 N HCl and then wash exhaustively in deionized water, followed by several rinses in 95% ethanol and air-drying.  This takes off everything left by the manufacturing process and leaves a molecularly clean glass surface.  If you actually grew cells on the coverslips, it might not be drastic enough to clean off the cell debris, though.
Carol Heckman
Center for Microscopy & Microanalysis
Bowling Green State University
________________________________________
From: Confocal Microscopy List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hu Xian [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 2:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Protocols for reusing coverslips

Dear List,

We need to use some pretty expensive coverslips for high NA
objectives(around 8 USD per piece). We might have to reuse them :(.
Any one has any established protocol for coverslip re-use for share?
Suggestions are welcomed too.

Thanks a lot...


Regards,
Edna