Nikon D5100 DSLR CLEANING?

I recently purchased a Nikon D5100. I try my best to keep it clean, especially the body of the camera as I usually have my hands on this area. However I know after a while it may get dirty as a door handle would, after continual use, with germs and bacteria. I just wanted to see if anybody knew a proper way of cleansing the body of the DSLR without causing damage to the camera's effectiveness, color, durability etc.

Umm, just use a DRY tissue or washcloth - Using anything wet is not advisable.

Actually you're being a little over cautious, don't you think?

Don't clean aside from the wiping with a dry clean cloth on the exterior and the occasional use of lens paper for the UV filter in front of the lens. Any cleaning to be done inside is best referred to the service center. The reflex mirror is particularly hard to clean if you get your fingerprints on it.

In the Owner's Manual for your camera there's a section titled "Care and Cleaning" or words to that effect. Just follow the instructions and your camera will be safe.

I use a soft bristle brush to remove any dust from the exterior of my cameras. I use a microfiber lens cloth to clean the UV filter that protects the front element each lens I own and to clean the circular polarizer that all but lives on a couple of my lenses - ones I use the most for landscape photography.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Brush.html The one I have is all metal construction but its about 40 years old though.

Things NOT to do:

Never use any type of liquid - especially alcohol - on any part of your camera.

Never use canned air like that used to clean your keyboard on any part of your camera - inside or out. There are two things that can happen - both of them bad.
1) The liquid that acts as a propellant can get on or inside your camera.
2) The force of the compressed air can drive dust particulates into sensitive areas of your camera where they can cause real damage.

If you are worried about germs on your camera just carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to use on your hands - NOT on your camera.