Cleaning Cameras and Lenses

Clean your lens as little as possible

Remember, your equipment will get a little dirty sometimes, but if you’re constantly keeping up with every spec of dust, you can end up doing more damage than what was there to begin with. Your camera lens is very sensitive, so only clean it, if it’s a must. You can also repeat these steps for cleaning the rear lens, lens caps, and filters.

BEST WAY TO CLEAN CAMERA LENS

Step 1: Use a blower to remove dust

If you want to clean your lens, avoid blowing on it. Your saliva or breath could increase condensation. The safest way is to use a blower to get rid of any dust and residue.

HOW TO CLEAN CAMERA LENS

Step 2: Use a lens brush

If a blower isn’t enough, and you still have some specs on the lens, no worries! You can use a lens brush, but we recommend a lens brush with camel hair. Camel hair is thin and will be less harmful to the lens.

Keep in mind brushes can pick up a lot of unnecessary substances. Try not to touch the brush with your hands. It may seem insignificant but if the oils on your hand get to the lens, it could really do some damage.

They sometimes look like actual brushes, other models are made a bit slimmer like a pen.

CAMERA LENS CLEANER

Step 3: Use camera lens cleaner

Using camera lens cleaner is a last resort because you really don’t want to risk streaks. Most solutions are alcohol-based and if you just use one or two drops, you probably won’t leave any streaks.

Don’t spray the cleaner directly on the lens, instead use a lens cleaning cloth or tissue. See the next step.

HOW TO CLEAN CAMERA LENS

Step 4: Use a cloth or tissue

When you use liquid camera lens cleaner, make sure you wipe it off with either a microfiber lens cloth or specific lens cleaning tissues. Do not use regular tissues as they could scratch your lens.

There are some newer tissues available that work really well.