Many owners of new digital SLR cameras don't know how to properly clean the lens without damaging it. Today's lenses have optical coatings that are easy to damage so you must be careful.
Lens cleaning air blower (available at most camera shores and discount retailers).
Microfiber cloth
Lens cleaning solution
Step1
Use the air blower, (never canned air), to gently blow the fine particles form the lens and around the edges of the lens.
Step2
Put a couple of drops of lens cleaning solution on the microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens.
Step3
Remove excess fluid from the lens and make sure there is no dirt remaining around the edges. Replace your protective skylight filter or lens cap.
Tips & Warnings
Keep your lens clean by using a 1A skylight filter, warming filter, etc available at your camera shop. If it never gets dirty, you'll never need to clean it.
Be gentle and use only photographers microfiber cloths. Some "microfiber cloths" sold at auto parts stores are too rough and will cause damage to the coating on the lens.