How to Clean Mold From a Camera Lens

How to Clean Mold From a Camera Lens

Learn how to safely clean mold from your camera lens using household items, specialized tools, and a step-by-step disassembly guide.

If you have not used your camera for quite some time and it has been stored improperly, it is very likely that mold has grown on the camera lens. Even the slightest amount of moisture in the storage area where your camera is kept can cause mold to develop. You can easily recognize this when you look through the camera lens. You will see some fine, spidery hairs, usually in a corner of the camera lens. Or you may find that your camera lens is quite cloudy despite having wiped it clean with lens paper or a lens cloth. There are ways to clean mold from a camera lens, though, so you do not need to panic. Take a look at the steps outlined below.

• Take out your camera owner’s manual. You will need this to know how to disassemble the lenses of your camera. Work in an area with strong light and a sturdy table. Line the table with a rubber mat or a thick towel. Aside from precision screwdrivers, such as those used by jewelers to take the camera lens apart, you should also have a medium- to large-sized magnifying glass at the ready. You also need a spanner wrench, a rubber lens ring remover, and a filter ring tool. In addition, you will need tweezers, a lens cloth or lens paper, and cotton swabs. If you do not have a repair manual, look for a copy online for your particular camera brand and model.
• Most of the mold on camera lenses is on the inside of the lens barrel, which is why it is necessary to take the camera lens apart. Follow the instructions properly and arrange the parts in the order that you take them off. This will ensure you follow the same sequence when you reassemble the lens barrel.
• Once you have reached the camera lens, use the magnifying glass to determine where the mold started. Place the lens in front of you on the towel lining the table. Be careful not to drop it.
• Mix equal amounts of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. You only need a little bit of the mixture, so it is best to mix a small batch, as this solution is not meant to be stored. About one tablespoon of household ammonia mixed with one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide will be enough.
• Dip a cotton swab in the solution and, with the help of the magnifying glass, wipe the area where the mold is growing. Wipe the lens as well as the metal lens frame to ensure that every bit of mold is removed. Dip a new cotton swab in the solution as you continue to clean the lens. After the mold has been removed, apply more solution over the entire lens, top and bottom, to ensure that the whole lens receives the cleaning treatment. Apply some force when cleaning the metal frame. For hard-to-reach areas—such as where the edges of the lens and the metal frame meet—use a piece of soft cotton cloth dipped in the solution and mount it on the end of a toothpick. Repeat the process as long as needed to remove all traces of the mold.
• Rinse the ammonia and hydrogen peroxide solution from the lens with a lens cleaner or with plain water. Run your fingers gently over the lens surface to remove any residue and repeat as necessary. You can also use a very mild soap, such as Ivory, followed by plain water. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth or a lens cloth to wipe the lens and the metal frame dry. Reassemble the lens barrel by reversing the order of placement and reattach it to your camera.

Wipe your camera with a soft cloth after you have used it. This will remove surface dust and dirt, as well as oil from your hands and face. Place one or two pouches of silica gel inside your camera bag before you store your camera. This will absorb any moisture that may be present when the camera is stored in a humid place.