How to Choose Camera Cleaning Supplies

Routine cleanings of camera equipment will not only make your gear last longer, but also make your pictures clearer. Keeping fingerprints off your lenses and nose grease off your LCD screen is vital. Choosing camera-cleaning supplies to get the job done correctly will keep your camera gear in tip top condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lens-cleaning fluid
• Lens-cleaning tissue
• Microfiber cloth
• Sensor-cleaning kit
• Hurricane bulb

1. Decide what pieces of camera gear need to be cleaned. Make a list for current and future reference. Be sure to include camera bodies, lenses, filters and accessories.

2. Go to your local photo retail store to stock up on cleaning supplies. Purchase products that will easily fit into the available compartments of your camera bag. Select trial size or compact packages of supplies to take on the go. Choose large packages to keep at home for thorough cleanings.

3. Purchase lens-cleaning fluid. Choose spray bottles or bottles with a tip that allows drops to come out one at a time. This fluid can be used to clean many pieces of camera gear, including lenses, filters and the exterior of the camera body.

4. Purchase lens tissues. Moisten the lens tissues with the lens-cleaning fluid. Always use a moist tissue for initial cleanings of lenses, filters and the exterior of a camera body. Use a circular motion to clean the camera gear. Follow up with a dry lens tissue to remove excess cleaning fluid.

5. Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust. Use the microfiber cloth for general cleanings whenever you feel your lens needs a touch-up. Use circular motions on your camera lens to remove light dust, small smudges and even rain spots.

6. Clean the digital camera sensor. If you have never done this before, take your camera to an authorized repair center for assistance. Although there are retail products for digital camera sensor cleaning, it is very easy to damage your sensor. This is one area of camera cleaning that is best left to a professional service technician.

7. Remove dust from the mirror of a film camera. Use a hurricane bulb or other manual blower to spray air into the open camera body to remove dust from the mirror. Hold the camera body so the open front is facing the floor as you blow the air into the camera body. Debris will then fall directly to the floor, rather than being simply moved into another area of the camera body.

Tips & Warnings

• Never apply lens-cleaning fluid directly to any piece of a camera gear. Excess moisture may leak into the electronics, causing damage. Always apply lens-cleaning liquids with a microfiber cloth or disposable lens-cleaning tissue.