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Easy ways to safely clean your AirPods and keep them clean
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Do you need to clean your AirPods? Over time, your AirPods can accumulate dust, debris, earwax, and other gunk. If your AirPods look like they’ve seen better days, you can use a few tricks to get them to look new again. However, you must be careful when cleaning any electronic device so that they don't get water damage , which can cause permanent damage and impede the functionality of your devices. This wikiHow article teaches you how to safely clean your AirPods and keep them clean.
Things You Should Know
- Wipe down your AirPods with a soft, dry lint-free microfiber cloth.
- A dry cotton swab can help clean hard-to-reach areas.
- For tougher jobs, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a microfiber cloth with a drop or two of distilled water.
- Do not submerge or run your AirPods under water.
Steps
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Wipe down your AirPods with a microfiber cloth. Don’t use a regular cloth or rag. This could damage the polish on your AirPods. [1] X Research source Microfiber cloths are also better at picking up small particles than regular cloths. [2] X Research source Hold the microfiber cloth in your hand and gently bring it over the entire surface of each AirPod.
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Use a dry cotton swab to wipe off hard-to-reach areas. Hold the cotton swab in your hand and gently rub the soft end through the small cracks and crevices on your AirPods. Carefully wipe over the speaker grills to remove any dust or wax that’s built up on them. Don’t push too hard on the speaker grills, or you could damage them. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Rub away dirt and grime spots with a pencil eraser. Place the eraser on the spot you want to remove and gently rub the eraser back and forth. Once the spot is gone, wipe off any leftover eraser shavings with the microfiber cloth. [4] X Research source
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Brush the speaker grills with an anti-static soft-bristle brush. If you don’t have an anti-static brush, you can use the bristles on a clean, dry toothbrush instead. Use the bristles on the anti-static brush to brush away dust, dirt, or wax that’s stuck in the speaker grills. Use a gentle brushing motion so you don’t damage the grills. [5] X Research source
- For more tips, check out the wikiHow forum post "How to clean airpods safely?" and see what other readers recommend.
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Use a damp microfiber cloth or 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe as a last resort. If your AirPods haven’t been cleaned in a while, you may need to use a little bit of water to remove tough dirt and grime spots. Add a drop or two of distilled water onto a microfiber cloth to barely wet it. You can also dampen it with a little isopropyl alcohol or use an isopropyl alcohol wipe. Then, rub the damp part of the cloth over the surface of your AirPods. Don’t let the wet part of the cloth make contact with the speaker grills, or moisture could get inside of them. [6] X Research source
- Do not attempt to use your AirPods until they are completely dry.
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Wipe down your case with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth. Gently wipe the entire surface of your case using a microfiber cloth. Do not use abrasive materials to clean your AirPods case.
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Use a clean, dry soft-bristle brush to clean your charging ports. You can use a soft-bristle brush, like a clean toothbrush to remove any debris from the charging ports on your AirPods case.
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Use a slightly damp 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe as a last resort. If there is any tough dirt or grime on your case, you can clean it using an alcohol or Clorox wipe, or an alcohol wipe or a microfiber cloth damp with just a little bit of 70% isopropyl alcohol. [7] X Research source
- Make sure you do not get any liquid in the charging ports.
- Wait for your case to completely dry before using it.
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Wipe down your AirPods every few days with a microfiber cloth. Periodically cleaning your AirPods will stop them from collecting a lot of dust, dirt, and wax. Keep a microfiber cloth in the case with them or close nearby so it’s easy for you to wipe them down regularly. [8] X Research source
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Keep your AirPods in their case when you’re not using them. They’ll be less susceptible to getting dirty if they’re stored away. Avoid putting your AirPods in your pocket or your bag, where they’ll collect lots of dust and dirt. [9] X Research source
- If you often use your AirPods at night, keep their case right next to your bed.
- If you like using your AirPods on the go, carry their case in your bag. Just make sure it’s closed so dirt and dust particles don't get inside.
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Clean your ears regularly. Not cleaning your outer ears can cause wax to build up, which can transfer onto your AirPods when you wear them. You can clean your ears with a homemade solution containing equal parts hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, and glycerin. [10] X Research source
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Don't share your AirPods with other people. Your friends might leave your AirPods outside of their cases, which could lead to dust and dirt getting on them. Also, wax from their ears could get on your AirPods. Holding onto your AirPods will let you control how clean they stay.
- If someone asks to borrow your AirPods, kindly tell them you paid a lot of money for them. Offer to let them borrow a cheaper pair of regular headphones instead.
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Join the Discussion...
I basically use my AirPods every day, and boy, you can sure tell by how dirty they look. I don't want to get them wet and ruin them for good, but I don't want to keep putting that gunk back into my ears. It looks like some of the ear wax has gotten into the case as well. Any advice on how to get these clean again?
There are various wipes and sprays for cleaning electronics that you could use; just make sure not to let them get too wet!
If the main part of your AirPods are dirty, then get a lint-free cloth damp with some clean water and wipe them up.
If the meshes are looking messy or clogged, micellar water to works the best to break apart the wax. Dip a toothbrush in the water, hold your AirPod so the mesh faces down, and gently scrub them for a few seconds. Dab the meshes with a paper towel to dry them off.
Always let your AirPods dry for a few hours before you charge or use them again so they don't get damaged.
You mentioned a dirty case too? Just wipe it down with a cloth and use isopropyl alcohol for really stubborn areas. Just make sure not to put anything in the charging ports so you don't cause any damage.
If the meshes are looking messy or clogged, micellar water to works the best to break apart the wax. Dip a toothbrush in the water, hold your AirPod so the mesh faces down, and gently scrub them for a few seconds. Dab the meshes with a paper towel to dry them off.
Always let your AirPods dry for a few hours before you charge or use them again so they don't get damaged.
You mentioned a dirty case too? Just wipe it down with a cloth and use isopropyl alcohol for really stubborn areas. Just make sure not to put anything in the charging ports so you don't cause any damage.
Community Q&A
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QuestionMy AirPods keep falling out!Kolby NgCommunity AnswerBuy some earclips for AirPods, they'll cling on to your ear to prevent falling off.
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QuestionWhat part of the AirPods is the microphone?Community AnswerThe microphones are in the bottom of the AirPods (near the part that is connected to the case).
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QuestionWhat if one AirPod is louder than the other?Community AnswerYou could possibly have a hearing problem. If you think this is not the case you can go to: Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Balance.
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Warnings
- Do not submerge or place your AirPods under running water.Thanks
- Avoid getting liquid in any of the opens.Thanks
- Allow your AirPods or the case to completely dry before attempting to use them.Thanks
- Avoid using harsh cleaners with chemicals. They could damage the outside of your AirPods.Thanks
- Do not use abrasive materials when cleaning your AirPods or AirPods case.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Microfiber cloth
- Cotton swab
- Pencil eraser
- Distilled water
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning electronics, check out our in-depth interview with Raina Ragin .
References
- ↑ https://www.idropnews.com/how-to/clean-airpods-keep-clean/47932/
- ↑ https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-clean-your-airpods-and-other-wireless-earphones/
- ↑ https://www.idropnews.com/how-to/clean-airpods-keep-clean/47932/
- ↑ https://www.idropnews.com/how-to/clean-airpods-keep-clean/47932/
- ↑ https://www.payetteforward.com/how-to-clean-airpods-safe-best-way/
- ↑ https://www.idropnews.com/how-to/clean-airpods-keep-clean/47932/
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208729
- ↑ https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-clean-your-airpods-and-other-wireless-earphones/
- ↑ https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-clean-your-airpods-and-other-wireless-earphones/
About This Article
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