Methods comprising the use probing multiple targets in a H&E stained biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a hematoxylin and eosin stained biological sample containing multiple targets, observing the sample, removing the hematoxylin and partially removing the eosin by washing the sample, contacting the sample with a borate salt, and irradiating the sample to remove the residual eosin fluorescence. The method further includes the optionally performing the additional steps of binding at least one probe to one or more targets to the sample, observing a signal from the probe and contacting the sample with a bleaching agent. The process of binding, observing and bleaching may be iteratively repeated.