How do I clean my scope?

Shaun Ellis posted this at 18 Sept 2025 Updated at 18 Sept 2025

Rifle Scope Cleaning, Maintenance & Storage Guide

A rifle scope is a vital part of your shooting setup, whether for hunting, tactical use, or precision shooting. Proper care ensures it remains clear, accurate, and reliable for years. However, scopes are delicate instruments with precise optics and intricate mechanisms that require proper handling. This guide will walk you through the best practices for cleaning, maintaining, and storing your rifle scope to keep it in top condition.

Why Proper Scope Maintenance Matters

Maintaining your scope properly ensures that it provides clear and crisp images, allowing for accurate targeting. A dirty or damaged scope can reduce visibility, distort your view, or even throw off your shot placement. Regular care helps prevent damage to delicate coatings and moving parts, extending the lifespan of your investment. It also reduces the chance of internal fogging or lens scratches, which can severely impact performance. Additionally, keeping your scope in good condition ensures that your zero remains consistent, so you can trust your shots every time.

What NOT to Do – Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Scope

One of the most common mistakes is using household glass cleaners like Windex. These often contain ammonia, which can strip protective coatings from your scope lenses. Instead, always use a lens-specific cleaner designed for coated optics. Another mistake is wiping your lenses with paper towels, tissues, or even your shirt sleeve. While they may seem soft, these materials contain tiny fibers that can cause micro-scratches on the lens surface over time.

Blowing on the lens to remove dust is another bad habit. Your breath contains moisture and tiny particles that can leave residue or fog the lens. Instead, use a soft lens brush or compressed air to remove dust and debris safely. Additionally, never submerge your scope in water, even if it’s waterproof. Over time, seals can degrade, and water may seep into the scope, leading to internal fogging, mould growth, or rust.

Avoid touching the lenses with your bare fingers. The natural oils on your skin can degrade lens coatings over time. Always use a clean microfiber cloth or lens brush when handling the optics. Lastly, be cautious when tightening your scope’s mounting rings and screws. Over-tightening can distort the scope tube, affecting alignment and accuracy. Follow the manufacturer’s torque specifications when making adjustments.

The Right Way to Clean Your Scope

Essential Cleaning Supplies

To properly clean your scope, you’ll need the right tools. A soft lens brush or compressed air is essential for removing dust and debris without scratching the lens. A microfiber cloth is ideal for gently wiping the lenses, while a lens cleaning solution designed for coated optics will safely remove smudges and dirt. Cotton swabs can help clean small crevices, and a silicone-treated cloth is useful for wiping down the body of the scope.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Remove Loose Debris: Use a lens brush or compressed air to remove any loose dust or dirt from the lenses and scope body. Never wipe the lens if there is visible dust, as this can cause scratches.
Apply a Lens Cleaning Solution: Dampen a microfiber cloth with an optics-specific cleaning fluid. Avoid spraying liquid directly on the lens, as excess liquid can seep into the scope and damage internal seals.
Wipe the Lenses Gently: Using light, circular motions, wipe the lenses from the center outward. This technique helps prevent streaks and ensures an even clean. Avoid pressing too hard—let the cloth do the work.
Clean the Scope Body: Use a silicone-treated cloth or slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe the exterior of the scope. Pay extra attention to the turrets and adjustment knobs, where dirt and grime tend to accumulate.
Dry the Scope Completely: If any moisture remains, take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe down the scope until it is completely dry. Ensure the scope is fully dry before storing it to prevent moisture-related damage.

Routine Maintenance & Storage

Best Practices for Long-Term Scope Care

Always store in a dry, climate-controlled environment. Use silica gel packs to absorb moisture.
Keep lens caps on when not in use to protect against dust, scratches, and impacts.
Transport rifles in padded cases to prevent damage.
Regularly check mounting rings and screws. Avoid over-tightening.
Allow the scope to acclimate to temperature changes before use to prevent condensation.
After impacts or recoil, check and re-zero your scope.

Troubleshooting Common Scope Issues

If your scope appears cloudy or blurry, the most likely cause is either dirty lenses or internal fogging. Clean the lenses following the proper steps, and if fogging occurs, store the scope in a dry place with silica gel packs to absorb moisture.

If you have difficulty adjusting the scope’s turrets, dirt or debris may be lodged inside. Use compressed air to clean the turret area and gently wipe it down. If your reticle appears off-center, your scope mount screws may have loosened over time. Re-tightening the screws and re-zeroing your scope should fix the issue.

How Often Should You Clean Your Scope?

The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you use your rifle and the conditions you expose it to.

After every shooting session: Do a light cleaning by removing dust and wiping down the exterior.
Monthly: Perform a deeper clean by inspecting the lenses, tightening screws, and checking zero.
Before and after hunting season: Conduct a full inspection, cleaning, and maintenance check to ensure your scope is in top shape.

Vector Optics Pre-Moistened Alcohol-Free Cleaning Wipes

Should I Get Flip Covers for My Scope?

Flip-up covers, or bikini covers, are essential accessories for keeping scopes clean and protected, ensuring optimal performance in various environments. These covers act as a shield against dust, dirt, moisture, and debris, which can obstruct the lens and impair vision. By providing a layer of protection, flip-up covers help prevent scratches and smudges that could affect the clarity of your scope. They are particularly valuable in outdoor or rugged settings, where exposure to harsh elements is inevitable. Moreover, their quick and easy-to-use design allows for fast access to the scope when needed, without the hassle of removing or adjusting complex covers. Whether for hunting, shooting sports, or any other outdoor activity, flip-up covers ensure that your scope stays in pristine condition, prolonging its lifespan and maintaining accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Properly maintaining your rifle scope doesn’t take much time, but it ensures years of reliable performance. By using the right cleaning materials, handling your scope carefully, and storing it properly, you can prevent damage and maintain clear, accurate optics for the long haul. Following these best practices will keep your scope functioning at its best, ensuring that every shot counts.