Cleaning a microtome involves several steps: 1. Initial Wipe Down: Remove large debris with a dry cloth. 2. Alcohol Cleaning: Use alcohol to clean the blade holder and other accessible parts. 3. Disassembly: Carefully disassemble the microtome for deeper cleaning. 4. Xylene Cleaning: Clean the components with xylene to remove paraffin. 5. Reassembly and Inspection: Reassemble the microtome and inspect for any remaining debris.