AirPods changed the way we listen to music. Wired headphones started disappearing as these durable, easy-to-charge and seamless to connect earbuds became the new standard for portable music. As with all new tech, there are downsides to AirPods, and one of the biggest is keeping them clean. Because AirPods sit in the ear canal, they are in contact with the inside of the ear, and your ears work hard to keep things out of them. There is bacteria and wax to be dealt with, and a quick wipe with a tissue won’t cut that type of head grease. Fear not; we’ve got some tips for keeping your AirPods clean. Let’s get to it.
AirPods Pro: cleaning tips
Before we do anything, and I can’t underline this enough, use very little water or alcohol solution when cleaning your AirPods. If you get any type of liquid inside the AirPods, usually through the small black vents or grills, that liquid can ruin your AirPods in a hurry. So make sure you are only using enough cleaner or solution to just get the job done. If you want to be on the safe side, dry Q-tips, microfibre cloth, or a small brush are your best friends.
What supplies do I need to clean Airpods?
Before you give your AirPods a thorough clean, it’s time to gather your supplies. You’ll want to have q-tips, a microfiber cloth, a cleaning solution with isopropyl alcohol, a toothbrush, a fine-edged tool like a toothpick or needle, and perhaps some backup silicone tips.
Best Way to Clean AirPods
Start with removing the silicon tips over each speaker. Rinse these in water only, don’t use soap or cleaners. Wipe them down with a microfibre cloth, then re-attach them to the AirPods. Next, clean the surface of the AirPods with your cloth, using a toothbrush to remove any large bits of dirt or wax on the surface.
How can you best remove earwax from AirPods?
While Apple recommends never using anything sharp to clean your AirPods, reality means you’ll likely need to employ a toothpick, pin, or something with a fine edge to remove any wax build-up. Carefully run the tool along the interior crevices to scrape out dirt or wax, and be gentle while you do it. You can use the toothpick, or there are blunted reusable metal tools you can find on Amazon. You can also try using Blu-Tack, though you run the risk of lodging some of that material in the crevices while you clean. AirSquare’s putty tool is another versatile option to get into small spaces.
If you need extra removal power, steer clear of water and use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip.
Cleaning AirPods Pro Case
When it comes to cleaning the case, the best defense against dirt is a nice silicone case, like this neon one from Felony Case. It not only protects from scratches and chips, but it’s easy to wipe off too.
If your case does need a touch up, Use a microfibre cloth to clean the outside of the case, and again if needed, use isopropyl alcohol to remove tougher dirt. Don’t use anything abrasive to clean your case; you’ll scratch the finish of it. You can use a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush for the inside and the hinge area. You may find that it takes a few passes to clean these areas thoroughly. If you need more power, there’s also a couple of great multi-tool an accessory kits on Amazon where you can find an array of tools for any stubborn dirt.
Inside the cups for the buds you’ll want to use a Q-tip to clean the contacts at the bottom of the case. If the dirt is stubborn, you can use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol to help things along. The connector for the lightning cable may need your fine-edged tool again, but you’ll need to be careful not to bend or move the pins inside.
That’s how to clean your AirPods Pro. Here are some of the supplies we recommend:
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