Everyone will have a differing opinion, but:
Dry cleaning
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I use the VD Arctic Butterfly and Sensor Loupe (RECOMMENDED), but use a trimmed-back crop-sensor version on my 1Ds2 and the loupe to remove any simple dust. Just cherry-pick off any nasty samples vs wiping the whole sensor -- if circumstances allow. The smaller size reduces risk of getting gunk on brush form edges of sensor/mirror box.
I also clean (aka de-grease) the brush regularly using either 99%+ Iso Alcohol or the VD tablets and distilled water (see VD website for video - takes just minutes and an over-night dry). The ISO method works fine and is much cheaper, but tablets would be better when traveling by air.
Wet
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- Be in a good mood
- Have more swabs on hand than you think you'd EVER need - specially if first clean on a camera.
- Best swabs found so far: VD units
- The VD corner/edge swabs are handy
- Best fluids I've found so far for removing gunk - Eclipse (aka Methanol).
- Best for removing streaks left by some gunk-killing fluids after removing said gunk - VD Sensor Clean (water-based IIRC)
- Use VD Sensor Loupe to check results -- worth it's weight in gold. Saves LOTS of 'F22 checks'
- Good strong light
- Only 2 drops on edge of pad (too much fluid leaves streaks)
- On pass per side of swab
- I usually do edges first with corner pad, then main part of sensor
- I use one pass with dry pad right after last wet pass to remove any remaining fluid.
'Pristine' lasts about as long as it takes to mount your next lens or take your next shot, so go for 'good enough' at the smallest aperture you'd normally ever use. An F22-32 test will show EVERYTHING, but is it worth the extra #!%, $$ in pads and time to chase that fleeting ideal you normally only shoot up to maybe F11 or 16?
The biggest PITA is not removing the gunk - is getting rid of any residual streaks left by getting rid of oil spots, etc. Have found the more streak-prone fluids are also the best at removing junk, so have settled on a two-fluid approach. Saves swabs.