You must have determined that AirPods were a good purchase at some time. Whether they were a present or something you splurged on, you probably want your wireless headphones to last as long as possible (or at the very least, until Apple releases a brand-new model). Apple suggests cleaning the earbuds and charging case periodically to minimize further wear and tear and storing them in a secure case. For cosmetic reasons alone, keeping your AirPods clean is important because their white shell displays everything, even ear wax buildup.
Clean your AirPods more frequently if you use them more frequently. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t wait for visible dirt and filth to clean them thoroughly. If you want your AirPods to last as long as possible, you should clean them regularly, including the case, speaker mesh, and ear tips.
Cleaning AirPods Case
You might not want to use your AirPods if you haven’t cleaned the case that they come in first. Apple’s new AirPods Pro is water-resistant (not waterproof), but the company still recommends keeping them away from water whenever possible. Instead:
Use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe off the charging dock.
Isopropyl alcohol can be used to give a cloth a little extra oomph for cleaning stubborn stains and filth that has crusted on.
You should also use a dry, soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to clean the lightning connector that comes with your device.
Is It Necessary to Clean Your AirPods?
According to experts, earphones pose additional health concerns if they aren’t regularly cleaned. Dirt and germs love to hang together in earbuds (yes, that means your case is nasty too). All that gunk can cause earwax accumulation, ear discomfort, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and infections, and it can also reduce the efficiency and durability of your AirPods.
7 methods to clean your AirPods
#1. Remove Earwax from AirPods using a Cotton Swab
The earwax builds up around the AirPods’ earbud entrance after prolonged use. Earwax isn’t just unpleasant to look at; it may also diminish the AirPods’ audio quality.
Wax removal is as simple as grabbing a dry cotton swab and wiping the offending area. Put some pressure on it and work it around the speaker mesh to get rid of any wax that may have accumulated there. A cotton swab works just as well for wiping out the mic’s mesh aperture. The use of a soft tool is recommended for the removal of stubborn dirt and wax.
Using a toothpick or other similar pointed instrument is something to avoid. Too much force might lead you to accidentally pierce the AirPods mesh cover and permanently destroy the earbud, so it’s best to avoid the temptation.
#2. Cleanse the Case
The charging case for your AirPods may be just as unsanitary as the headphones themselves. The hinge region is notoriously difficult to clean, and the case does a poor job overall of preventing the accumulation of dirt and grime.
For thoroughly cleaning the charging case’s hinge region, we advise using a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles. You may try wetting the brush and then using it for the very tough gunk.
Some grime may be difficult due to the repeated compression created by opening and closing the case. If a wet sponge or toothbrush doesn’t do the trick, go for some isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip (never spray alcohol or water directly on the case). Scrub the area with the Q-tip to eliminate the dirt. This might take some time, so please be patient.
Check out the docking stations where you regularly keep your AirPods. You should be careful not to scratch the charging connections at the bottom. If you want to clean this up, use a dry Q-tip. A drop of water or isopropyl alcohol on the tip of the Q-tip might help loosen particularly tenacious grime.
Finally, don’t forget to use the Lightning port on the case’s underside. To do so, I recommend using a wooden toothpick.
The staff at the Apple Store use SIM keys and unfolded paperclips to clean the charging ports, but you can use anything with a tiny metal tip.
Don’t apply too much pressure, as there are charging connections within the Lightning port that you might harm.
#3. Wipe using a Microfiber Cloth
A microfiber cloth is one of the most useful items for cleaning Apple AirPods and other electronic devices.
Perhaps you even have a handful of these rags lying around your own home. Get one to use for cleaning your AirPods if you don’t already have one.
The technology underlying microfiber fabrics is straightforward. The microfiber cloth is designed to clean and disinfect your AirPods after they’ve been exposed to dust, oil, fingerprints, grime, and more. You won’t need water or cleaning supplies; it can handle everything. That it does its job brilliantly without leaving behind lint or anything else is a bonus of this remarkable cloth.
You may clean each AirPod by holding it in one hand while using a microfiber cloth to wipe it down gently. Tough stains may need applying greater pressure to the cleaning cloth.
#4. Put a little bit of an electronic-safe cleaner to use.
If your Apple AirPods still don’t seem shiny after wiping them down with a microfiber cloth, you might try using a different product. The recipe doesn’t have any booze or ammonia. You may choose from a wide variety of available beginning kits. Spray a tiny amount of the liquid on one of the supplied towels and clean your AirPods. Each AirPod needs to be cleaned separately.
It works wonders on other electrical devices, such as the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and more.
#5. Clean and disinfect the AirPods
If your AirPods get dirty (it happens! ), you may clean their exterior using disinfectant wipes like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, which are 70% alcohol, or an isopropyl alcohol wipe, which is 75% alcohol. Water can ruin your AirPods’ speaker mesh and ruin your listening experience.
#6. Cleaning Pen
This three-in-one cleaner is perfect for maintaining the cleanliness of your AirPods. In addition to the high-density brush and metal pen tip, you also get a sponge-headed applicator.
The charging case and earphones’ heads may be cleaned using the sponge. The sponge is thin enough to use on the inside of your case as well, making quick work of any grime that may have settled inside. On the other hand, the brush is ideal for cleaning the air vents on your headphones or the nooks and crannies of your case. Finally, you may use the metal tip to remove any earwax from the listening hole in your headphones.
This cleaning pen is wonderful for more than just your AirPods; it’s portable and lightweight design makes it ideal for cleaning your iPhone as well.
#7. Fan or Air Blower
In order to safely eliminate surface dust from any area of your AirPods, you may use a compressed air blower, such as the one found in a can, or a squeezable one. Although it does not penetrate deeply or remove the most stubborn grime, it is an effective method for removing debris after each stage.
While Apple doesn’t advocate it, a small and precise tool like a rounded pick may also get in there and offer an additional degree of cleanliness. They are commonly found in aftermarket cleaning kits but can cause harm to your pods if not handled with caution. If you want to proceed, run the end of the pick around the Pod’s speaker and microphone’s edges, gently without pressing, to sweep up any remaining dirt.
Preventing accumulation by keeping your AirPods clean will save you time and effort in the long run. When compared to a monthly simple wipe down, a once-a-year deep clean of your earphones and charging case is a monumental task. Clean your AirPods more frequently if you’re a heavy user or if you use them while exercising.
