01/02/2023
Nicole Newton

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your AirPods

If your AirPods are looking a bit worn, why not give them a thorough cleaning? This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to clean AirPods correctly – from the AirPods themselves all the way down to their charging case! Keep reading to find out more.

In this blog:

What you’ll need

You’ll need to gather a few things before you begin cleaning your dirty AirPods. Luckily, most of these supplies are already in your home or can be found in your local supermarket.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Lint-free cloth
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Cotton swabs or a toothpick
  • 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting wipes (or just a bit of water!)
  • Detergent (for AirPods Max)
  • Soft bristle brush

If you can’t find any of the above wipes, you can get by with water instead, but bear in mind that Apple recommends 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes.

Once you’ve got everything you need, it’s important that you follow the instructions below. There are certain parts of your AirPods that should not get wet with water or alcohol wipes, so don’t go rogue now!

What you shouldn’t use

No matter which model of AirPods you have, avoid cleaning them with bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or any other agents not covered in this guide. Since most cleaning supplies are very abrasive, using anything other than what is recommended will almost certainly harm your AirPods.

Some individuals use Blu-tack to clean the mesh part of the AirPods, however this can really do more harm than good. By inserting Blu-tack into your AirPods, you’re essentially forcing wax and other contaminants deeper into the mesh and running the risk of leaving some Blu-tack fragments behind, adding to the mess you’ll have to clean up.

Compressed air is another item that is frequently used. Although you might believe that compressed air is an effective cleaning tool, it could harm the internal parts of your AirPods.

How to clean AirPods

The best way to clean AirPods is as follows:

  1. Wipe down your AirPods with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  2. To clean sensitive spots, like the mesh on the microphones and speakers, scrub them with a dry cotton swab.
  3. If your AirPods have built up wax and dirt in hard to reach areas, try gently dislodging the gunk with a toothpick.
  4. Wash the exterior with your alcohol or disinfecting wipes (or a slightly damp microfiber cloth if you don’t have the other options).
  5. Wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth and you’re done!

How to clean AirPods Pro

If you have AirPods Pro, you’ll have to add an extra step to clean your AirPods will differ slightly, as they have removable ear tips. Here’s how to clean AirPods Pro:

  1. Remove the ear tips and rinse them with water to remove any dirt or wax.
  2. Dry the tips with a lint-free cloth.
  3. Wipe down your AirPods with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  4. To clean sensitive spots, like the mesh on the microphones and speakers, scrub them with a dry cotton swab.
  5. If your AirPods have built up wax and dirt in hard to reach areas, try gently dislodging the gunk with a toothpick.
  6. Wash the exterior with your alcohol or disinfecting wipes (or a slightly damp microfiber cloth if you don’t have the other options).
  7. When both the AirPods and the ear tips are thoroughly dry, place the ear tips back on your AirPods and you’re done!

How to clean AirPods Max

Cleaning AirPods Max requires a different method too. As AirPods Max are headphones, there’s more surface area to clean, so you’ll need to set aside a bit more time to clean these. Here’s how to clean AirPods Max:

  1. Wipe the headphones down with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth and dry them with another microfiber cloth.
  2. Remove the cushions from the ear cups.
  3. In a clean container, mix 1 tsp (5 ml) of liquid laundry detergent into 250 ml (1 cup) of water.
  4. When you clean the headband, hold your AirPods Max upside down to prevent liquid from flowing into the headband attachment point.
  5. Dip a lint-free cloth into the soapy water solution, wring it out slightly and rub the cloth on the cushions and headband gently for 1 minute each.
  6. Wipe the cushions and headband clean with a separate cloth that’s slightly dampened with fresh water.
  7. Dry the cushions and headband with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, making sure you remove any excess moisture.
  8. Lay your AirPods Max flat to dry completely before reassembling them.

How to clean an AirPods case

Let’s not forget about the case! Here’s how to clean AirPod cases:

  1. Remove the AirPods and use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe the outside of the case.
  2. If your case is extra dirty, you can use a cloth dampened with a bit of alcohol on tougher spots, but be sure to dry the spots afterwards with a microfiber cloth.
  3. To remove debris from the charging port, use a soft bristle brush (you can also use a toothpick to gently remove any clogs of dirt)

How Often Should You Clean Your AirPods?

While cleaning your AirPods after each use is ideal, we understand that not everyone is able to do so. Instead, aim to clean your AirPods after each 72 hours of use.

Keeping your ears clean can also help your AirPods stay cleaner for longer, as they are the primary source of contamination for your AirPods in the first place!

Are your AirPods too dusty or damaged to save? Trade them in for cash towards new AirPods with Decluttr! You buy refurbished AirPods at great prices on the Decluttr Store.

Wondering ‘where’s the best place to sell my phone‘? Trade in your unwanted tech with Decluttr! You can sell iPad devices, trade in iPhone handsets and sell Apple Watch models for cash with us as well as sell books and other non-tech items.

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