How to Remove Dust and Dirt from a Camera Lens

Dirt is a daily challenge for your lens. Dust and other dirt on the surface of your lens will create horrible images. One stray spec of dust is probably not going to be noticed but if your lens is obviously dusty it can cause problems. Dirt causes even more problems as it is more difficult to remove from your lens surface.

To remove dust and lint, a simple microfiber lens cloth will remove the problem. Use light strokes working towards the outside of the lens. For mud or other stubborn dirt, you will need to use a cleaning solution designed for photographic lenses. If you use ammonia or another household cleaning solution you could permanently damage the lens. Most photographic lenses have a fine coat of oil on their surfaces. Eventually, this coating will wear off with repeated cleanings of any kind. Using a filter will help prolong the life of your lens.