A cleaning system for cleaning a stylus S of an inoculation apparatus comprising a bath 1, the bath comprising: a first washing trough to hold a first washing fluid and comprising a first weir defining a first washing fluid level L1； a second washing trough to hold a second washing fluid and comprising a second weir defining a second washing fluid level L2, wherein the second washing fluid level is higher than the first washing fluid level； and optionally a third washing trough to hold a third washing fluid and comprising a third weir defining a third washing fluid level L3, wherein the third washing fluid level is higher than the first washing fluid level and so the stylus is thereby immersible to a greater depth in the third washing fluid than in first washing fluid. Also claimed is an automated method for cleaning a stylus using the apparatus described.
