Directions for washing ELISA plates

Insufficient washing of the wells will adversely affect the assay. All washing steps should be performed with freshly prepared wash buffer.
Washing can be performed automatically as follows: completely aspirate the liquid from all wells by gently lowering the tip of an aspiration device into each well (without touching the bottom). After aspiration, fill the wells with at least 250 μl wash buffer and then aspirate the liquid. Repeat these steps at least six times. After washing, the plate is inverted and tapped dry on absorbent tissue paper.
Alternatively, the wash buffer can be used in a squirt bottle. If a squirt bottle is used, empty the wells by a firm ‘shake-out’ action and flood each well of the plate with wash buffer. Repeat these steps at least six times. After washing, the plate is inverted and tapped dry on absorbent tissue paper.
When using an automated washing device, follow operating instructions carefully.

Note: If a high number of air bubbles is created when using a squirt bottle, the wash buffer can be replaced by PBS during the last washing step.