How to Clean Your Home Security Cameras

• A microfiber cloth: If you only have one thing on this list, make sure it’s this. We like MagicFiber cloths, but Amazon Basics cloths also do the job well.
• Water: Arlo and Google Nest suggest a tiny amount of water on a microfiber cloth for stubborn dirt.
• Dish soap (optional): If water isn’t cutting it (or at least cleaning it), you can use a small amount of dish soap on your wet microfiber cloth. We recommend Dawn.
• An air puffer (optional): We recommend using something gentle like Giottos Rocket Air Blaster to blow particles off the lens or charging port. Try compressed air to blow insects out of crevices around the camera.
• A ladder (optional): This helps you access high-mounted cameras.

You can expect it to take anywhere from a few seconds to 5 minutes per camera, depending on how dirty it is. After all, tree sap and pollen are more complicated to clean than a little dust. Also, where the camera is located may be a factor, since it’s easier to wipe down something on a bookshelf than scale the side of your house like Spider-man to reach out-of-the-way outdoor cameras.

Unplug corded cameras. Battery-operated cameras and video doorbells don’t need any special prep unless you have to do a deep clean, which may require removing the battery or turning off power to the doorbell.

If your cameras are installed in a high location, you’ll need a secure ladder. Although you may be tempted to use a broom to brush away cobwebs, this can scratch the outside of the camera and more importantly, the lens—and you don’t want those scratches to be evident on every future recording. We've heard that some users wield a leaf blower to clean hard-to-reach areas, but you could blow more debris into the cameras—or blow the camera completely out of position. For something slightly less dramatic, you can use compressed air.

No one wants recordings marred by water streaks, fingerprints, or bird poop, so you may want to clean the camera lens. A microfiber cloth should be good enough, but outdoor cameras and video doorbells might require a little extra love. Julie Zhu, product manager for Google Nest (which makes one of our smart doorbell picks), said to stay away from any household cleaners or rubbing alcohol, which can leave a residue or erode lens coatings. If you feel compelled to use a solution, eyeglass solutions are fine to use on the lens—but just like we recommend for cleaning eyeglasses, soap and water should also be able to do the job just fine. Try cleaning the lens with a damp (not wet) microfiber cloth first, and you can add a little dish soap, if needed. Just make sure to dry the lens after so it doesn’t streak.

If you have a corded camera, unplug it and use your microfiber cloth to wipe the cord from end to end. This is also a good time to check the cable for damage, including rust, flaking, and other corrosion. Don’t ignore a cable that’s frayed or sheeting that is cracked or peeling, and don’t be tempted to simply throw some electrical tape on it. Replace the cable to prevent your camera from shorting and getting fried.

A microfiber cloth should be strong enough to remove dust and dirt. Zhu adds that you should never use paper towels, tissues, or rags, since they can leave lint and even scratch lens coatings. If the outside of the camera has pollen or sap, try adding a bit of dish soap and water to the microfiber cloth.

Make sure to get all of the outside with the dry microfiber cloth, including around the charging port, if there is one. Do not put water or soap near the charging port. You can use an air puffer or compressed air around this area, but make sure to point down so you don’t blow dirt directly into the port.

This article was edited by Amy Koplin, Brittney Ho, and Sofia Sokolove.