Cleaning your photos and scanner will remove almost all the dust giving you better quality scans...

...But you need to do this properly so you don't damage your photos or scanner.

In this article you'll learn that when you clean your photo before you scan it, will remove most of the dust. But be careful! You need to do this properly so you don't damage the photo. Here's how...

1. Do NOT Use Any Liquids On Your Photos

Using any sort of liquid directly on your negative will damage the emulsion. Emulsion is the "ink" that makes up the image on your photo. If you get water, oils from a finger print, spray from a cleaning product, etc., on your photo, you'll remove the emulsion -- and ruin your image.

As for your your scanner's window, you can use eye-glass cleaner. BUT DO NOT spray directly on the window.

2. What To Use When Cleaning Your Slide And Scanner

I wear lint-free gloves to handle photos. Even if you're careful your finger or palm might accidentally touch the film. You can find these gloves in any photography store.

For the actual cleaning, I use a lint-free cloth. You know the ones used to clean eye-glasses? Those are perfect.

You can also use one of those ear-wax removal tool (not sure what it is called, but it is sort shaped like a tear drop). Or you may also try using compressed air. But after 200 slides it will run out.

For cleaning the scanner's glass, I use eye-glass cleaner. But remember, do NOT spray directly on to the glass.

3. How To Clean Photos Safely

Using your lint-free cloth, GENTLY swipe your photo. Do not press hard, as you might leave smears. You might not see these smears, but your scanner will.

You can also use the puffer or compressed air. But the lint-free cloth does a better job.

4. How To Clean The Scanner's Flat-Bed Window

The first thing I do is use the puffer or compressed air on the window. Then using eye-glass cleaner, spray a different lint-free cloth -- again, NOT the scanner's window.

Spray the cloth not the scanner's glass!

Do NOT press hard. I've scratched windows before because somehow a grain of sand got on it. This is why I use the puffer first. If there happens to be any hard debris on the window, the puffer will hopefully get it off. Then gently wipe the window with the lint-free cloth.

I usually clean the window after 100 scans or so. But it's important to wipe and clean each photo before you load it on the scanner bed.

That's it!