Proper handling and cleaning of glass coverslips are crucial to prevent contamination and ensure clear imaging. Always handle coverslips with clean gloves or tweezers to avoid fingerprints and oils. Cleaning can be done using a variety of methods, including washing with detergents, rinsing with distilled water, and using solvents like ethanol or acetone. For critical applications, coverslips can be further cleaned using acid baths or plasma cleaning.