The Brush Method

The brush method is a subcategory of the "dry method" for cleaning sensors. The dry method is when you clean your sensor without the use of a wet agent. Examples of this are the Rocket Blower, the Lens Pen and the brush method. The term sensor brush is a generic term just like hair brush, tooth brush and scrub brush and yes there are multiple manufacturers of sensor brushes. Within the brush method, there are currently many different sensor brushes which are divided into 2 different approaches.

0. Static:  A static charge is placed on the bristles of the brush. The bristles are very gently swept across the sensor using the static charge to attract the dust.
0. Anti-Static: The brush is used to remove the existing static charge from the sensor which in turn releases the hold on the dust that was held by static. The bristles of the brush are used like a conventional broom to sweep away the newly freed dust.

The Brush Method is a very good and a cost effective method of cleaning your sensor, but it CAN NOT be used as your exclusive method. The Brush Method is effective when used in-between Wet Method cleanings. Any/Every time you use the Brush Method, you need to be prepared to do a wet cleaning. Think of it being like your kitchen floor, there is no way you can keep it clean with only using a broom, you must periodically pull out the mop to wet clean it. When you end up dragging your broom through a gooey or stick mess unexpectedly, you end up making a bigger mess on your floor and have to pull out the mop. The same goes for your sensor and that is why we say “Always be prepared to do a wet cleaning any time you use the Brush Method”. If and when you get oils or goo on the brush, they are cleanable.