Safely Clean Your Home Security Cameras and Lenses

Your outdoor home security cameras face a lot of opponents: dirt, tree sap, pollen, dead bugs, water stains, fingerprints and, yes, bird poop. This means you'll want to regularly clean your security cameras and the space around them to keep the lenses and sensors on the front free from debris -- the grime not only looks bad but also prevents the cameras from working optimally. 

Clear footage is essential for effectively protecting your personal property and commercial assets. Recording blurry, cloudy or foggy footage can negate the many benefits of having a home security camera in the first place. To ensure the safety of your home, family and property, make sure your camera is working properly with regular maintenance. Here's how. 

Read more: Make Sure You Don't Install Your Home Security Cam in These 7 Spots

What you'll need to get started cleaning your security camera

Luckily, you'll need very few materials to keep your security cameras in tip-top shape. And really, in a pinch you only need the first thing on the following list. 

• Soft microfiber cloth: All you really require to clean a security camera is a soft, damp cloth. Microfiber or lint-free are the best options for gentle, efficient cleaning. 
• Dish soap (optional): If water isn't cutting it (or at least cleaning it), you can use a small amount of gentle and diluted dish soap on your damp microfiber cloth. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on the camera. 
• Ladder or step stool: If your outdoor cameras are installed in an elevated location, you may need some extra help to reach it. Use a secure ladder to reach the device. 
  

It's important to use gentle cloths -- instead of paper towels, tissues or other dish rags -- to ensure you don't scratch the outside of the camera or, importantly, the lens. A scratch on the lens could be evident in all future recordings, so use caution when cleaning to make certain the footage is as optimal as possible. 

A microfiber cloth should also be strong enough to remove dust, dirt and other grim yet gentle enough to be safe. A dab of gentle dish soap on the microfiber cloth should be enough for stubborn sap or pollen. 

Though it may seem intuitive for outdoor cameras, don't use a leaf blower or broom to clear away cobwebs or debris. And do not use a power washer. Again, you could scratch the lens or knock the camera completely out of position. Manually wiping down the camera will always be your best cleaning method.

How to clean your home security cameras 

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Cleaning may seem straightforward enough -- you just wipe the camera down, right? But your go-to cleaning method may depend on what you're trying to wipe away. After all, removing sap or bird poop may take a little extra effort than just clearing away dust or pollen. And you'll need to be more cautious cleaning an elevated security camera installed near your floodlights rather than an indoor camera placed on an entry table. For the most part, though, the method we recommend is consistent. 

For starters, you'll want to unplug your wired home security cameras and completely power off the camera to avoid accidental damage. For battery-powered/wireless cameras, you may also consider removing the battery to clean out the battery compartment, but it's not necessary for a simple surface-level clean. 

You'll start by wiping down the outside of the camera with a microfiber cloth and then move on to the lens. A clean cloth should do the trick, but if you need some extra cleaning strength, use a damp (not wet) cloth dipped in a simple water and dish soap mixture. You can also use an eyeglass cleaning solution. It's best to avoid household cleaners or rubbing alcohol, which could damage the lens or leave streaks when dried. 

For a deeper clean that goes beyond just the outside surface, you'll need to clean the battery compartment, charging port and wired cord, too. It's best to just dust these spots with a clean cloth, but if there is any build-up on the cord or inside the battery compartment, you can use all the same materials to clean these sections as the outside. Just remove all batteries first and allow the compartment to dry completely before reinstalling. You should avoid using cleaning solutions in your camera's charging port, though, as wet substances can damage the electronic components. It's best to clean the charging port with a cloth or cotton swab.  

This is also a good time to look over your security camera for any wear and tear, rusting or fraying. You should also ensure that the camera's seals and weatherproofing are intact to defend against the elements. If you notice any signs of damage, it may be time to buy a new home security camera. 

How often you should clean your home security cameras

Frequency matters just as much as cleaning methods. On average, you should clean your outdoor cameras two to four times a year, but best practice is to wipe each unit down at least every three to four months.

This, of course, also depends on weather and location. Wetter climates may require you to regularly clean the lenses of water stains, and desert climates may require you to clean sand or dust from the device monthly. 

Indoor home security cameras that are likely to only encounter dust or pet hair should be cleaned about once a year.

For more, read up on other home security mistakes you can make. Learn how to stop porch pirates, reduce the risk of car break-ins and what you should keep in a safe.