How to Clean Your AirPods Without Damaging Them

AirPods are famous among music lovers and those seeking a convenient hands-free experience. However, with frequently use, they can accumulate dirt, earwax, and grime over time. It is vital to clean your AirPods for aesthetics and to maintain sound quality and hygiene. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your AirPods without causing damage.

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Material required

Before the cleaning the AirPods gather the following items:

A soft lint free cloth

Use microfibers cloths because they do not scratch surfaces.

Cotton swabs

These are ideal to use as they can penetrate into tight spaces.

Cotton swabs

Isopropyl alcohol

Usually clear and ideal if used at a 70% concentrate or less

Toothpick or a small brush

 These are handy as leftovers are sometimes stuck in awkward places.

Water

 Here, use a small quantity only to prevent the AirPods from being wet.

Step 1

Place your AirPods into Power Saver Mode

The first step is to remove the AirPods from the charging case. When they are put outside the case, no power is wasted, as the pods are off. This would prevent them from establishing a connection while you do cleaning.

Step 2

 Clean the Outside of the Suitable Garments

 Clean the Outside of the Suitable Garments

Use the soft cloth to wipe the external parts of each AirPods while blocking the latch. This will eliminate all the dust and other fingerprints. For some reason, there are stains that seem too hard to clean; in such cases, wipe off just that portion of the cloth with water or isopropyl alcohol. However, it is important to only mist out a small portion of the cloth. Excessive moistening can be harmful to several internal parts.

Step 3

Clean the Speaker Mesh

Parts of the speaker mesh may catch grime and ear wax, impairing the sound quality. Using a dry cotton swab, clean the mesh area carefully. Do not press hard, as doing that can bury the particles deeper into the mesh. In cases of stubborn build-up of such debris, the tip of the cotton swab may be slightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol and used to clean the area.

Step 4

 Focus on the Charging Ports

Give attention to the charging ports located on your AirPods and the case. You can use a dry soft brush or a toothpick to get rid of any lint or dirt that may be present. Also, be cautious about scratching or damaging the charging pins sitting inside. If necessary, you can take a cloth that has been slightly dampened with water to wipe on the outer part of the charging case, but you should not allow it.

 Focus on the Charging Ports

Step 5

Deodorize and Sanitize

For more effective cleaning, especially when the AirPods have been exposed to sweat or moisture, a cleaning cloth should be dampened with isopropyl alcohol content and solely used to wipe the surfaces. It will reduce odors and enhance deodorization. Remember that the fabric should only be slightly wet so no liquid can enter the AirPods.

Step 6

Let them dry

Once the AirPods are cleaned, leave them to dry without putting them back into the charging case. It prevents any risk of moisture damage on the AirPods and in such cases, the AirPods get dry in readiness for use.

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