I also use the cotton ear swabs (Q-tip) to clean it.
While we are on the subject of rain gauge maintenance, what is the best way to prevent false tips? The rain counts go into my "permanent record" on WU, CWOP etc. I try to add the apologetic note on WU. Since sliding the solar door off is a bit of a chore and I feel that I am putting stress on the solar panel connector, I am not inclined to unplug the rain connector in the ISS transmitter box.
GregH