Mold spores are abundant in the natural environment—and camera lenses are not immune to their destructive nature. No photographer, amateur or professional, wants to discover mold or fungus growing on a camera lens. But when the spores appear, these tips will eliminate them in one take.

A photographer is likely to own several lenses. Some lenses in a collection may include the wide angle, the telephoto prime, or the telephoto zoom. Needless to say, certain lenses may be preferred over others, depending on the subject matter. This leaves the lesser-used lenses stored away.

A lens that is tucked into a drawer or dark box for prolonged periods of time is vulnerable to mold and fungal growth. Especially in humid climates, storing a lens without preventative measures can introduce dampness and lead to unsightly cases of mold, a type of fungus.

How does mold develop on a camera lens?

Moisture from humidity is just one source of nourishment for mold spores and fungus. These miniscule contaminants also need darkness; spores do not grow under sunlight, since the sun’s rays kill fungi. Organic materials round out the three primary food sources for mold and other fungi.

Organic materials the mold needs to survive may be obtained by miniscule fibers left by the lens cloths used for cleaning or even oils from fingerprints. Sufficient nutrients support the growth of spores and their microscopic tendrils—which are visible as etchings on the camera lens.

Cleaning a lens surface can introduce moisture and pollutants. Rubbing the glass lens, for instance, can leave behind trace amounts of humidity and nutrients. Blowing air into the lens pushes contaminants further back into the recesses of the lens parts. Similarly, zooming in and out allows air inside.

How is a moldy camera lens cleaned?

Cleaning a moldy camera lens is a simple, straightforward process. Cleaning does require knowledge of and experience in handling a lens, however, since the lens must be opened, disassembled, and reassembled in order to perform a thorough cleaning of its innermost parts.

Gather the necessary cleaning supplies, the most important of which is the cleaning solution. An effective cleaner can be produced by mixing equal parts of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. A solution of vinegar and water will also kill the mold spores.

Obtain clean lens tissue, a soft material that will not tear or abrade the lens surface and lens cloths. Lens cleaning fluid is ideal for wiping away oils from fingerprints. Wear latex gloves during the process to prevent contamination of the lens with fingerprint oils.

A bulb blower, which produces a burst of air, and cotton swabs that clean inaccessible corners are helpful supplies. Use a solvent to soften adhesives applied to secure the lens elements. A bright lamp will illuminate the lens, thereby providing a clear view of the fungus on the surface.

Blow away debris from the lens surface using the bulb blower. Soak the lens in the prepared cleaning solution for at least two minutes to soften the fungus and allow it to be wiped away easily. Avoid leaving lenses with glued elements in the solution for extended periods of time.

Upon removing the lens from the cleaning solution, wipe it with a clean lens tissue. Use a circular motion and gentle pressure when wiping the lens. Use the clean edges of the dry lens tissue each time. Once this step is complete, the fungal growth should no longer be visible.

Blow away any excess moisture with the blower. Using another clean lens tissue, apply a drop of the lens cleaning fluid in one corner in order to moisten (not saturate) it. Apply a circular motion to rapidly wipe the surface of the lens until it appears clean and clear.

Under the bright light of the lamp, inspect the surface for any small fibers, lint, fingerprints, or lingering fungus. Ensure the lens is not dirtied with smudges or dust. Set the lens aside on a microfiber cloth and keep it covered to prevent dust accumulations. Reassemble the lens.

What prevents mold from growing on a camera lens?

Preventing mold and fungus from growing on the lens can be achieved by storing it in a dry cabinet and ensuring that humidity levels are low. After shooting outside in damp conditions, dry the lens with a clean towel before storing it in a sealed bag containing silica gel.

Photographers who aim to prevent mold growth are advised to use their lenses, especially in sunny weather. As mentioned, sunlight kills mold spores. Prevent mold colonies from latching onto an unused lens by taking it out of the darkened cabinets and shooting under the sun.

Mold will grow in places abundant with moisture, darkness, and an organic food source. When you find mold colonies on a camera lens or sneakily sharing your home, call mold remediation professionals. They can provide thorough mold cleanup in homes and commercial properties.

Wearing personal protective equipment and utilizing advanced mold removal techniques, crews eliminate mold growth via proven processes. After an initial assessment of the size of the mold infestation, they contain affected areas to prevent the contamination of nearby rooms.

The successful elimination of mold is done via high-tech, yet cost-effective solutions. Skilled technicians will test the property to detect all hidden and visible mold growth. Contaminated areas are treated with the innovative mold cleanup methods.

Upon eliminating the mold growth, specialists retest the air to ensure airborne levels are optimum. Using the latest technology to clean mold colonies is far less expensive than tearing out moldy drywall.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.