The camera sensor cleaning mistake you don’t want to make

Photographers should avoid blowing on an exposed camera sensor with their mouths when trying to remove dust. Saliva can leave stubborn stains that appear in photos, making a minor speck of debris a more serious and potentially costly problem.

The article recommends first using a camera’s built-in sensor-cleaning function, which vibrates to shake off dust and can often be set to run automatically. If specks remain, a rocket blower can direct air at the sensor; pointing the camera down helps gravity carry loosened particles away. For persistent dirt, professional cleaning is safer than experimenting and risking a scratch.