A.Place a slide with a bacterial smear on a staining rack

B.STAIN the slide with crystal violet for 1-2 min

C.Pour off the stain

Note: fingers stain Gram-positive - use forceps

D.Flood slide with Gram's iodine for 1-2 min

E.Pour off the iodine

F.Decolourize by washing the slide briefly with acetone 2-3 seconds

G.Wash slide thoroughly with water to remove the acetone - do not delaywith this step

H.Flood slide with safranin counterstain for 2 min

I.Wash with water

J.Blot excess water and dry in hand over bunsen flame