Runes

What I will often do, when I cleanse my runes at all, being slightly uncommon with me, I often make a greater ritual for it if I see it to be appropriate. Ignoring the ritual, unless you are at all interested, I will discuss merely the process of cleansing in regards to materials and what not.
I'll often use a bit of mead which I pour over the runes from a drinking horn while saying some words to the gods that are specific to my path (and I suppose for the rest of you as well). After I've done this I will rinse the runes with water and put them on my casting cloth, or whatever you wish to call it. What I often do is call Odhinn when I pour the mead and Freyja when I pour the water, which I feel is quite appropriate.
That is essentially the process and it's worked out for me this far. I've never bothered with incense or any of those things but I suppose whatever is an idea you can use. All the best. Hails!

-Dagstyggr

As a suggestion,if you choose to cleanse them with water,never use the tap water.

Yes! Forgot to mention that as well. Thank you.

-Dagstyggr

I have to say, I find using a native American ritual (smudging) on European runes (take your pick of the futharks) to be rather amusing.