It also gets you familiar with all of it. The more familiar you are with your photo equipment, the easier it will be to tell when something isn't right with it. Not excessive scrubbing of lenses and bodies, but general cleaning inside and out. A small vacuum for the inside and gentle wipedowns of the outside. If you can't do it, let a pro clean it for you.
Film is a problem as well.
In really dusty conditions, the flour fine dust in Saline Valley, Red Rock country and so many washboard back roads, plastic bags while travelling are worth the effort. Baggies or Zip Locks work well and save a lot of heartache. If you shoot large format, be aware of one problem. Mile after mile after mile. You will seldom see it in Ektachrome films, they have a tougher emulsion.