Though we always refer to cleaning your sensor, when you clean your digital SLR camera’s sensor, you’re not really cleaning the sensor. You’re cleaning the filter that sits on top of the sensor. So you never really touch your sensor and there’s no way you can hurt it.

If you’re still a little queasy about cleaning your “sensor”, first try using your chosen method on a regular filter.

You’ll need to know how to lock the mirror for sensor cleaning. Refer to your camera’s manual. Do not use normal mirror lock or the “bulb” shutter setting. Make sure the camera’s battery is charged.

The methods:

Blower Bulb: The first thing to try. Do not use canned air.

Wet cleaning: uses a cleaning solution and a swab to clean the sensor. Use this method when you have stuck on particles or streaks.

Nylon Brush: A “charged” soft nylon brush will attract loose dust particles by way of a small static charge on the brush (SensorSweep brush, Arctic Butterfly, etc.)

SensorKlear Pen: Made by the same company that makes the LensPen.

Dust-Aid: Uses a low-tack surface to remove loose particles.

Here are a few sensor cleaning resources you should visit:

Cleaning Digital Cameras: Just about everything you ever wanted to know about cleaning your camera’s sensor.

Copper Hill Images :Source for cleaning supplies including the SensorKlear Pen, the SensorView magnifier, the SensorSweep brush, cleaning fluid, swabs, bulb blowers and more.

Visible Dust: Source for the Arctic Butterfly sensor brush, SensorLoupe, cleaning swabs and fluid, and more.