How to Clean Your Camera Lens

Getting dust and dirt on your camera lens is inevitable, there’s just no way to get around it.

Obviously, your camera lenses are really expensive and you want to make sure that they stay in the best condition for many, many years to come.

Let’s talk about how and when you should clean your camera lens.

A lens is made up of a number of parts, but the three we’re going to deal with is the front element (the big piece of glass at the front), the rear element (the big piece of glass at the back) and the lens body (the metal or plastic surround that holds it all together).

Why Clean Your Dusty Lens?

A lens is at its optimum when it is devoid of all debris on it. If you just have a few specs of dust on the front optic, they won’t always show up in your picture.

However, under certain conditions, they can show up like Christmas tree lights! In particular if you’re shooting in bright sunshine.

This is one of the many reasons why it’s best to keep your lens nice and clean. Maintaining a spotless lens means you’ll always be ready to shoot and keeping your lens in good condition will help extend its lifespan.

Little and Often

Rather than waiting until your lens is caked in dust and dirt, it’s better to have a camera equipment cleaning regime, especially if you’re shooting regularly.

The longer the dust and dirt is on your camera, the longer it has to work its way into the internal workings of the lens, which HAS to be cleaned by a professional.

Equipment Required

You will need a brand new, unused soft paint brush, a soft lens brush and a really good quality microfibre lens cleaning cloth.

The Microfibre lens cleaning cloth is going to be in most contact with your precious lenses, so make sure;

1. You use a high quality microfibre cloth that is specifically designed for use with camera lenses.
2. That the microfibre cloth is perfectly clean and free of any foreign particles that could potentially damage the glass.

Body First

Keep your lens caps on, front and rear.

Using your paint brush, give the whole body of the lens a really good brushing, all over.

Start with the main sections of the lens that are visible, then work your way into the body of the lens.

Cleaning the Front Element

Remove the front lens cap. Give your lens cap a good brushing with the paint brush.

Now use the lens brush and very gently give the lens a brushing.

Once the main dust has gone from the front element, gently wipe across the front element with your microfibre cloth.

Now, take your finger, wrap the cloth around it and gently, but firmly clean the lens element.

Replace the front cap.

Cleaning the Rear Element

Remove the rear lens cap. Give your lens cap a good brushing with the paint brush. 

Now use the lens brush and very gently give the lens a brushing.

Again, now that the main dust has gone from the rear element, gently wipe across the front element with your microfibre cloth.

Just like the front element, take your finger, wrap the cloth around it and gently, but firmly clean the lens element.

Replace the rear cap.

And that’s it! Your lens will now be nice and clean. Try and make sure you carry out this process about once a month and you’ll never have any problems with dirt on your camera lens. See below for guidance about cleaning your camera cloths.

Regular Cleaning of Your Microfibre Camera Cloths

Clean your camera cloths regularly and always keep a couple of clean cloths spare so you can rotate them.

Microfibre cloths are exceptionally effective at removing tiny dust, dirt and grease particles so don’t leave them on there! Cleaning the cloths is very simple but it pays to do it properly.

Before you start wash your hands thoroughly with soap and then dry with a clean towel. 

Rinse your microfibre cloth in warm to hot water. Work your thumb and forefinger through the surface of the cloth whilst submerged under water to help release any trapped foreign particles and then gently strain the cloth by passing it through your thumb and forefinger and then allow the cloth to air dry. It is not recommended you put your cloths in the washing machine. Do not put fabric conditioner on your microfibre cloths under any circumstance as this will render them completely useless.