Apple’s AirPods are well known for two main reasons — first, the integration with the Apple ecosystem. Second, getting dirty and beat up in no time, all thanks to that white exterior. If you own a pair of AirPods, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Look at them right now and think if they’re the same color as when you bought them. And while you’re at it, think of when was the last time you cleaned your AirPods.
If the answer is never — it’s time to get to work. Your AirPods accumulate dirt and grime from your ears over time which can ruin the audio quality or even cause some crackling issues. The AirPods case, on the other hand, can get scratched up and look in bad shape if you throw them in your backpack or denim pockets. Well, it’s finally time to rid your AirPods of the abuse they’ve gone through. Here’s how to clean your AirPods and maintain them in good shape.
I. How to Clean the AirPods
Let’s first take a look at how you can clean the AirPods themselves before moving to the case. The earbuds have multiple sections that you may need to clean. Here’s how you can go about it.
Cleaning the AirPods Speaker Mesh
The most important part of your AirPods is the speaker mesh. After all, this is the part responsible for the sound output from your AirPods. Here’s how you can remove any accumulated dirt, grime, and ear wax from the speaker grille.
Step 1: Remove the silicone ear tips from the earbuds if you’re using the AirPods Pro.
Step 2: Get hold of a cotton swab and dip it in some rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will help remove grease that is stuck onto the mesh.
Step 3: Gently swab the speaker mesh to remove any dirt particles. If there’s a lot of ear wax stuck onto the AirPods, we suggest repeating the process multiple times with fresh cotton swabs.
Step 4: Once you’ve swabbed the mesh, you can use an old toothbrush to brush off smaller particles from the speaker grille.
Step 5: If you still find that there are minute particles on the grille, use the tip of a pen or something sharp to get rid of them. Ensure that you’re extremely careful while doing this as applying extra pressure with a sharp object can damage your AirPods.
Perform these steps for one earbud and repeat for the other side.
If you don’t have cotton swabs, small brushes, or a pointed object at your disposal, you can get an AirPods cleaning kit for pretty cheap. It includes everything you need to clean your earbuds.
Tip: Each earbud has multiple meshes all around it including the microphones. While cleaning the primary mesh is most important, ensure you clean the smaller openings too.
Cleaning the Silicone Ear Tips
The AirPods Pro has silicone ear tips for a complete seal inside your ears. So, along with the mesh, the ear tips may also gather dirt and ear wax over time. Here’s how to clean them.
Step 1: Remove the silicone ear tips from the earbuds.
Step 2: Rinse them under running water for a few seconds. This should clean them and remove any grimy substances.
Step 3: Tap the ear tips dry with a microfiber cloth.
Put them back onto the earbuds and you’re good to go.
Tip: If your ear tips are damaged or too dirty, you can always get replacement ear tips for cheap to give your AirPods a new look and feel.
Cleaning the External Surface
Once you have cleaned the mesh and the ear tips, it’s time to polish the external surface of the earbuds. This is the simplest step.
Step 1: Dip a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol.
Step 2: Wipe the outer surface of the earbuds with the cloth. Make sure you’re gentle and don’t rub too hard or else you might end up causing abrasions.
Step 3: Pat the earbuds dry with a paper towel. Ensure you also clean the contact points for charging at the bottom of the earbud with a dry cloth.
Note: Do NOT use water to clean any part of the earbuds or the AirPods case as water can damage the electronics underneath. If you do not have rubbing alcohol, stick to using a dry, lint-free cloth.
Your AirPods should now look much better than they did initially. And wait, what’s that sound you hear when you wear them now? Oh, that’s the sound of clean AirPods.
II. How to Clean the AirPods Case
Alright, now that your earbuds are clean, it’s time to tackle the AirPods case. This can be slightly tricky since the case has deep grooves for the stems to rest. However, we’ll guide you through it.
Cleaning Inside the AirPods Cavity
The AirPods have stems that slot into a cavity inside the case. Over time, this cavity can accumulate dust and clog the charging contacts. Here’s what you can do to clean the groove.
Step 1: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the inner walls of the cavity.
Step 2: Gently swab the contact pins at the bottom of the case. Ensure you don’t apply too much pressure or you can end up damaging the charging mechanism.
Step 3: Twist the ends of a paper towel and insert it into the cavity to dry out any excessive alcohol.
Cleaning the External Surface
Once you’ve cleaned the cavities, cleaning the rest of the AirPods case is a breeze.
Step 1: Dip a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol.
Step 2: Wipe the outer surface of the AirPods case with the cloth. Make sure you’re gentle and don’t rub too hard or else you might end up causing abrasions.
Step 3: Pat the case dry with a paper towel.
III. Tips to Keep Your AirPods Clean
Now that you’ve cleaned your AirPods and the case, it’s time to ensure they don’t get as dirty again. It’s important to maintain your AirPods in a nice manner to avoid damaging them. Here are some steps you can take to keep your AirPods in good shape for a long period.
Use a Case
If you use a case for your smartphone, why not use one for your AirPods too? There are plenty of cases available for your AirPods that serve two purposes — protect your AirPods and give them a fresh new look!
Depending on which version of the AirPods you have, check out our list of some of the best AirPods cases that you can buy –
Store the AirPods With Care
Little things can go a long way in keeping your AirPods clean and safe. Avoid stuffing it into your pockets with keys and other sharp objects. If you store your AirPods in your backpack, ensure you put them into a separate compartment.
FAQs for Cleaning AirPods
You don’t have to clean your AirPods every day. You can clean them once every few days or weeks depending on how you use them. Remember, too much of anything is too bad!
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t have any service that cleans your AirPods for you. You will have to clean them yourself.
Due to the complex nature of the AirPods, Apple doesn’t service or repair them. If you face any issues, Apple will give you a replacement for your AirPods provided it’s under warranty.
Since AirPods use batteries, the capacity decreases over time. So ideally, you should be able to use them for about 2 years properly.
Clean AirPods, Clean Sound
To avoid dust and grime from building up, ensure you clean your AirPods from time to time using the techniques mentioned above. This way, you’ll ensure you hear the best audio while increasing the longevity of your AirPods.
Last updated on 16 January, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
DID YOU KNOW
You can see the remaining charge of your Apple AirPods on the battery widget of your iPhone.
