AirPod Cleaning Is Easy and Very, Very Necessary — Here’s How to Do It
Just thinking about all of the dirt, wax, and grime that finds its way into your AirPods is enough to gross anyone out. And it’s not just the accrual of earwax, dust, and more — it’s the fact that the longer you let all of that buildup sit, it actually can lessen the working effectiveness of your expensive, precious wireless earbuds and make cleaning that much harder later on.
The more detritus that gets pushed back beyond the speaker mesh, the better chance it has of getting into those little nooks and crannies that actually make your AirPods work. However, it’s important to be careful when cleaning your AirPods, as overcleaning or aggressive scrubbing has been known to tear the speaker mesh, leading to costly repairs and replacements.
So with that in mind, here’s a no-nonsense guide to cleaning your AirPods with regularity and ease.
How to Clean Dust Out of Your AirPods
Next to earwax, dust particles are the most common thing to find their way into your AirPods.
Fortunately, cleaning that dust out is as simple as taking a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping out all of the areas of your AirPods. Be sure to take care of the mesh and other fragile areas of the actual pieces themselves.
If you find dust is really stuck on a certain area, you can dampen that cloth and apply light pressure for removal. In any case, be sure to allow your AirPods to completely dry before using them again.
How to Clean Wax Out of AirPods
Wax is the peskiest of the things that might dirty your AirPods.
First, remove the silicone tips (those can be cleaned with a simple wipe). Next, take something with a pointed edge (but not too abrasive, like a toothpick) and carefully remove wax from inside the speaker shell. If any stubborn bits remain, you can use another soft cloth (not the same one you used from dusting) to work away at the remaining debris. A light touch of isopropyl alcohol may also help free up the wax.
Lastly, reattach the silicone covers according to manufacturer instructions.
How to Clean AirPod Cases
AirPod cases are, in many ways, the first line of defense for your AirPods, so they tend to take the most dirt and debris first-hand.
The Lightning connector is the most important part to clean first. Take a small, light-bristled brush (a soft toothbrush would also work) and sweep away anything blocking the connecting port. The cleaner the port, the better the connector will work.
For stuck-on stains, you can use a lightly damped soft cloth with careful scrubbing. Remember to not use anything abrasive that might scratch the case covering. Better yet, invest in an AirPods case protector to keep the actual case in good condition.
Items for AirPod Cleaning
The following are a few essential items to have on hand to help keep your AirPods clean.
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