How to Clean a Camera

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 References Tested

Cameras normally accumulate dust and other debris as you use them. Dirt is most noticeable when it settles on the outside, but it also gets inside some cameras. Wipe off the outer parts of the camera on occasion and clear the lens whenever you change it or open your camera. To solve cloudy photos on digital cameras, remove the lens to take care of the interior sensor. No matter how well you take care of your camera, give it a thorough cleaning from time to time in order to keep it working at top quality.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Washing the Camera’s Exterior

1
Wipe the external components off with a microfiber cloth. This is very important as it will not scratch the surface of the lense. Choose a clean, lint-free cloth to avoid introducing any extra debris to your camera. Polish the body of the camera, avoiding the lens for now. Remove as much visible dust and dirt as possible with a dry scrub.^{[1]
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- Using a cotton cloth or T-shirt is fine as long as you avoid delicate glass, including the lens. These spots scratch easily.
2
Dampen a microfiber cloth in fresh water to rinse off salt. If you went out for a day at the beach, wash off your camera before attempting to open it. Moisten the cloth in a little bit of room-temperature water, then wring it out. Use the dampened cloth to wash the salt off the camera’s body. Work carefully to avoid getting water on the lens or any openings, including the charging and memory card ports.^{[2]
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- Moisture and salt in the air settle on the surface of your camera. Also, be aware of sweat. If you open your camera without cleaning it first, these things can all get inside and damage delicate components.
- Dampen the cloth very lightly. Make sure it isn’t dripping before you use it. If you apply too much moisture to your camera, wipe it up right away with a dry cloth to prevent it from leaking inside.
3
Scrub small spots and tough stains off with a soft-bristled brush. Use a clean toothbrush or makeup brush to remove any remaining debris left on your camera. Cotton swabs also help a lot for small areas, such as the grooves around the rim of some lenses. Dampen your brush or swab as needed to force out the remaining debris. Avoid using the brush on the surface of camera's lens or the touchscreen if you’re cleaning a phone.^{[3]
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- For stubborn debris, try using a little bit of isopropyl or denatured alcohol. You can find bottles of either substance at most general stores and hardware stores. They are effective for cleaning and dry much more quickly than water does.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Clearing the Lens

1
Use an air blower to remove noticeable debris on the lens. Point the blower’s nozzle as close to the lens as possible without touching it. Hold it at an angle as you squeeze the rubber sack a few times to let out a puff of air. The blower eliminates debris without you ever having to touch the lens, so always use it first during the cleaning process.^{[4]
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- Air blowers are available online and at many electronics and camera stores, along with any other cleaning supplies you may need. You can also buy cleaning kits to get an air blower, lens brush, and other supplies all at once.
- Compressed air is very different from an air blower. Compressed air is much stronger and can damage a lens.
2
Dust away any remaining debris with a soft brush. Consider getting a specialty camera lens brush so you always have a reliable way to clean a lens without scratching it. Press the brush’s bristles very lightly against the lens. Start in the center and flick the brush to the outer edge to remove any debris. Go back over the lens again with the air blower as needed to clear off the glass.^{[5]
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- Quality lens brushes are generally made out of animal hair. A lot of them are pen-shaped for easy usage and storage.
- Be careful when choosing an alternative to a lens brush. Most brushes are too coarse and leave scratches. If a lens brush isn’t available, try using a clean makeup brush.
3
Wipe the lens off with a microfiber cloth if it is still dirty. Use a clean, lint-free lens cloth to scrub off stubborn debris such as a cloudy film from salt exposure. Start in the middle and wipe the lens in a circular motion, working towards its outer edge. For extra stubborn spots, dampen the cloth with 2 or 3 drops of a lens cleaning solution and repeat the process. You may need to go over the glass a few times to finish cleaning it.^{[6]
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- Lens cleaning fluid and cloths are available online or at camera supply stores. These are the same kinds of products used on eyeglasses as well. If you’re cleaning a camera on a phone, they also work on phone screens.
- Purchase packs of pre-moistened lens wipes as an alternative. Lens wipes are single-use and a great way to avoid rubbing dirt into your lens with an unwashed cloth.
4
Clear dust out the lens cap with the air blower. Set the camera aside for a moment to take care of the lens cap. Turn it upside down and hold the blower nozzle at about a 45-degree angle from it. After a few puffs of air, check the cap again for stubborn debris. If you need to, use your lens brush or cloth to remove anything still stuck to the plastic.^{[7]
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- Remember to check the cap each time you clean the lens! Any debris inside the cap immediately falls onto the lens, forcing you to clean it again. If your lens gets dirty repeatedly, the cap may be the problem.
5
Remove the lens if it is detachable to access the back end. If you’re cleaning a phone camera, you don’t need to do anything else. If you’re using a digital camera, turn the camera off first. Press the lens release button if your camera has one on its front side. Then, turn the lens towards the shutter button, usually clockwise when the camera is facing you. Lift the lens away when you feel it come loose from its mount.^{[8]
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- Always clean the camera’s exterior before removing the lens. Any debris you leave behind can fall into the camera, causing additional problems and work for you.
- If you’re unsure how to remove the lens, check your owner’s manual for additional instructions.
6
Blow and wipe the rear element to finish cleaning the lens. Hold the lens upside down with the back end facing the floor. Use the air blower to clear away any dust inside the shaft. Then, use a lens brush as needed to loosen any debris still lodged inside it. Finish by wiping the inner and outer surfaces of the plastic with a microfiber cloth dampened in lens cleaner.^{[9]
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- You can also dampen a clean cloth in a little bit of water or isopropyl alcohol to wash the plastic surfaces around the lens. Doing this is useful for removing salt and other issues, but try not to touch the lens.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Cleaning the Sensor

1
Turn the camera on and set it to cleaning mode. Remove the lens before turning the camera back on. Navigate to the camera’s settings menu to look for an option to manually clean the sensor. This option flips up the mirror inside your camera if it has one, allowing you to access the sensors.^{[10]
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- Make sure your camera has a full battery charge before you attempt to clean the sensors. If your camera has a mirror, the mirror closes when the camera shuts off.
2
Hold the camera upside down and clear it out with an air blower. Tilt the camera so the open end faces the floor. Then, position the nozzle as close to the sensor as possible without touching it. Keep the nozzle at a 45-degree angle as you squeeze the blower a few times to force out most of the debris.
- The camera has to be upside down or else blowing air forces dust deeper inside it.
3
Clear off any remaining dust with a sensor brush. The sensor is extremely delicate, so don’t touch it with your fingers or anything that might scratch it. Set the camera down and find the sensor inside, which looks like a small LED screen in its middle. Sweep the bristles across the screen as lightly as possible to avoid scratching it. When you’re done, tip the camera over and blow it out again to eliminate loose dust.^{[11]
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- Even sensor brushes are too coarse to completely eliminate the risk of scratches. If you’re uncertain about doing the cleaning yourself, take your camera to a professional. Many big electronics stores and camera supply stores can do this for you.
4
Use a sensor solvent or swab if the sensor is still dirty. Purchase a special cleaning solvent to use with a cotton swab or get a pre-moistened swab. Set the camera on a stable surface. Run the swab across the entire sensor in a single motion. Go over the sensor a couple of times as needed to clear up streaks and debris.^{[12]
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- Look for swabs and sensor cleaners online or at electronics stores that stock camera supplies.

Warnings

Camera parts are delicate and prone to scratches, particularly sensors. Choose your cleaning supplies carefully or take your phone to a professional.

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