Go see a therapist so you can "get over" your little hatred of lens covers. I'm just messing with ya.I'm been using them for years, and I NEVER have to clean my lenses, because the pop-up lens cover does it's job very well.
Absolutly blow the dust off first, then use a lens brush to brush it, then blow it off again with a rocket bulb blaster! Then you can start cleaning.Quickest way to ruin the coatings is to spray that dust with some sort of 'cleaner' then rub it around with a cloth!
2. Don't clean if you don't have too. A little dust is ok.