Security footage clarity is important if you’re going to identify an intruder, recognize a license plate, or decipher any other important details. Dirty lenses can greatly reduce the quality of your security footage and render it useless when you need it most.
You need to know how to clean an outdoor security camera lens and do it often to ensure your security cameras are always capturing clear and crisp images. It will help you avoid dirty lens problems, such as false alerts, blurry video, and reduced night vision.
Here’s a guide on safe lens cleaning methods, why regular cleaning matters, and the ideal maintenance schedule for your outdoor security cameras.
Why Regular Security Lens Camera Cleaning Matters
Dirt, Dust, Fingerprints, and Weather
Though both indoor and outdoor security cameras need regular lens cleaning, outdoor cameras get the worst end of the deal.
Security cameras come into close contact with outdoor elements, such as dirt, dust, rainwater, snow, and fingerprints. These contaminants can quickly accumulate on the camera lens and obstruct its view.
Exposure to these elements obscures the camera’s field of view, making it challenging to capture clear footage. Dust and smudges on the lens can also cause motion detection issues or trigger false alarms, which can be frustrating for homeowners and waste valuable surveillance resources.
Regular cleaning helps remove these obstructions and ensures your outdoor security cameras are functioning at their best.
What Happens When You Don’t Clean a Camera Lens?
Leaving your camera lens uncleaned can have unfortunate consequences that can affect its performance and image quality. Here are some of the things that can happen if you neglect to clean your camera lens regularly:
Poor Image Quality
The most obvious consequence of not cleaning your camera lens is poor image quality. Dirt smudges on the lens can distort the picture and make it difficult to see what’s happening in the footage.
Reduced Field of View
As mentioned earlier, obstructions on the camera lens can limit its field of view. Consequently, important details escape capture or are cut off from the frame. Identifying objects or people in the footage becomes challenging.
Blurry Images
If your camera lens is particularly dirty, you’ll get blurry images as smudges and dust interfere with the light entering the lens. Another cause of blurry images is an old or damaged lens.
Reduced Light Sensitivity
A dirty lens can also reduce a camera’s ability to capture enough light, affecting the brightness and clarity of images. Light sensitivity is especially important in low-light conditions, where even a small amount of obstruction can make a significant difference.
Safe Lens Cleaning & Maintenance Schedule
It’s time to acknowledge just how sensitive security camera lenses are. Any slight change to the lens can drastically affect the performance of your security camera.
As such, part of your maintenance schedule should include safe lens cleaning practices to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your security camera system.
What You’ll Need Before Cleaning
- 4-6, soft and dry pieces of microfiber cloth.
- Lens cleaning solution (or distilled water + mild soap option).
- Compressed air (optional).
- Cotton swabs for tight spaces.
What Not to Use and Why
1. Paper Towels
Avoid using paper towels at all costs. The rough texture of paper towels can easily scratch and damage the delicate surface of your camera lens.
Paper towels can also leave behind lint and fibers that may accumulate on the lens, affecting the quality of your footage.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals, such as bleach, ammonia, and concentrated alcohol, are bad for security camera lenses, as they can cause discoloration and permanent damage.
Avoid using these cleaning agents on your lenses.
3. Air Compressors
A high-pressure industrial or workshop air compressor should never be used on a camera lens for blowing dust off. It can actually do more harm than good. The high-pressure air can push dirt and debris into the lens, creating scratches or other damage.
If you must use an air compressor, use canned compressed air (air duster) and keep it at a safe distance from the camera and use gentle, low-pressure blows.
4. Abrasive Materials
Some sticky or stubborn dirt on your camera lens may tempt you to use abrasive materials, such as rough cloth or scouring pads, to scrub it off. However, this can cause scratches and other damage to the lens surface.
Instead, use a soft microfiber cloth or a cleaning solution specifically designed for camera lenses. These materials are gentle enough to clean your lens without causing any harm.
Step by Step: The Best Way to Clean Security Camera Lenses
1. Power Off the Camera for Safety
The first step in cleaning a security camera lens is to switch off the camera, even unplugging it to guarantee that there’s no electricity running through the device.
This step ensures your safety while handling the camera and also protects the lens from any accidental damage.
2. Remove Dust or Debris with a Blower Brush
Using a blower brush, gently dust off the lens surface. Start from the outer edge, working your way into the center using a circular motion.
Compressed air may be tempting as it can quickly remove debris, but you must be extra careful as the pressure can cause damage to the lens.
It’s best to stick with a blower brush customized for camera lenses.
3. Gently Wipe Lens with a Microfiber Cloth
A dry microfiber cloth should be handy for gently wiping the lens surface. You’ll want to apply light pressure and avoid any harsh rubbing or scrubbing. Also, don’t use course material like paper towels or tissues because they scratch and shed lint.
This step helps to remove fine particles and smudges that may still be present on the lens after using a blower brush.
4. Use a Lens Cleaning Solution
This step comes when you encounter stubborn smudges or dirt that won’t come off with a blower brush and microfiber cloth. Use safe, specialized camera lens cleaning solutions.
These solutions don’t have chemicals that can strip the lens coating, and they’ll help you clear the lens effectively. Douse a few drops of the solution on a fresh microfiber cloth and use it to gently wipe the lens.
Avoid applying too much pressure as it can damage the lens.
5. Dry with a Clean Cloth to Prevent Streaks
Once you’ve cleared all smudges and dirt from the lens, it’s time to dry it off. Use another fresh cloth to gently wipe away any remaining moisture.
The cloth should be lint-free. Gently pat the lens dry rather than rubbing it vigorously. Remember, these lenses are super sensitive.
How to Clean Outdoor Security Camera Lenses
Like we mentioned earlier, outdoor security cameras face extra challenges, such as exposure to extreme weather fluctuations, insects, pollen, bird nesting, and spider webs.
Learn how to keep bugs and spiders away from security cameras.
Safety Considerations for Cleaning Outdoor Security Cameras
Another unique challenge with cleaning outdoor security cameras is their positioning and installation. Most outdoor surveillance equipment is placed in hard-to-reach areas, making it challenging to clean.
How do you mitigate these challenges and ensure your outdoor security cameras stay clean and functional?
- Use protective covers or housings to reduce buildup.
- Check camera placement to minimize dirt exposure.
- Regularly inspect for damage and debris.
Extra Safety Steps and Tools for Cleaning an Outdoor Security Camera Lens
- You’ll need a safety ladder to reach and clean the camera lens properly.
- We recommend having someone responsible with you in case of any accident.
- Have multiple soft brushes and dry, clean cloth pieces because you’ll be clearing way more dust than usual.
- Accept it or not, cleaning an outdoor security camera lens can be hazardous to your eyes. With dust and debris flying around, we suggest wearing safety goggles while cleaning to avoid any foreign substances getting into your eyes.
Why You Shouldn’t Spray Cleaner Directly on the Lens
Spraying any sort of liquid or cleaning solution directly onto the lens of an outdoor security camera can cause damage. The liquid may seep into small crevices and damage internal components, leading to malfunctioning cameras.
Instead, we recommend spraying the cleaner onto a soft cloth and gently wiping the lens in a circular motion. That way, you evenly distribute the solution without risking any damage to the camera itself.
Spraying directly onto the lens can also cause smudges or streaks that may hinder the camera’s ability to capture clear footage.
Best Practices for Safe Lens Cleaning & Maintenance
- Establish a cleaning schedule (monthly, seasonally, after storms).
- Routine inspection for cracks or scratches.
- Keep the surrounding area clean (trim branches, clear spider webs, etc.).
- Learn how to keep birds away from security cameras.
When to call a professional for maintenance
If the lens appears to be damaged or there are persistent issues with footage quality, it may be necessary to bring in a professional for maintenance. Professional maintenance also extends your camera’s lifespan, and ensures its continued functionality.
Other Tips for Maintaining Clear Footage
- Keep the camera out of direct sunlight.
- Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures.
- Regularly clean the surrounding area so debris doesn’t accumulate on and around the lens.
- Use caution when handling and mounting the camera, as rough handling can cause internal damage.
Final Thoughts
Taking proper care of your camera’s lens is essential for ensuring clear and crisp footage. Stick to these maintenance tips to get the most out of your investment and continue capturing high-quality images and videos.
Remember to regularly clean, check for damage, and handle with care to get the most out of your camera’s lens.
