General H&E Staining Procedures

Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Routine H&E Staining. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Routine H&E Staining (online CE course)
General H&E Staining Procedures

Steps for Regressive H&E Staining:
  1. Hydrate slides
  2. Overstain in hematoxylin
  3. Tap water rinse
  4. Differentiate
  5. Tap water rinse
  6. Blue
  7. Running tap water rinse
  8. Eosin counterstain
  9. Dehydrate
  10. Clear
  11. Coverslip
Steps for Progressive H&E Staining:
  1. Hydrate slides
  2. Stain in hematoxylin
  3. Tap water wash for 15 minutes (helps to blue nuclei)
  4. Proceed with steps 8 - 11