The present invention extends to a dust cap for protecting optical components from end face contamination due to external debris and that reduces the potential of the dust cap itself causing end face contamination. In one embodiment, a dust cap includes an elongate housing with a peripheral shell, an open proximal end, and a closed distal end having a predetermined size and shape for covering an optical component end face. The dust cap also includes a protective portion defining a protective cavity of a predetermined depth and position configured so as to protect the optical component end face without contacting the optical component end face. The dust cap also includes an attachment portion for attaching the dust cap to the optical component configured to reduce the potential of contaminating the optical component when the dust cap is attached to and/or removed from the optical component.