How to Clean AirPods and Earbuds (Without Damaging Them), According to Experts

How's this for an unsettling fact? According to cleaning expert Lana Tkachenko, your earbuds can contain way more bacteria than your kitchen sink, one of the germiest places in a home. But while your home's sinks are likely already a part of your cleaning routine, the same likely can't be said about your beloved AirPods. Due to their minute size and electronic components, how to clean airbuds can be somewhat of a conundrum—and you want to take extra precautions to protect your investment. “Cleaning your earbuds regularly helps maintain sound quality while preventing direct, oil, and bacteria build-up,” says Tkachenko.

Here, our experts explain best practices when it comes to cleaning your smallest audio devices, along with common mistakes to avoid.

How to Clean Earbuds, Step-by-Step

Cleaning any electronics comes with some universal rules, says Cassandra Cummings, CEO at Thomas Instrumentation Inc. “Electricity and liquids don't mix,” she says, noting that dry cloths and cotton swabs should usually be your initial approach. "If you feel the need to further disinfect a product, then using alcohol wipes is the best option—but don't use a wipe that’s soaked with rubbing alcohol."

Airbuds have sensitive electronic parts packed into a tiny space, Leon Huang, CEO at RapidDirect, reminds us. "Liquid, high pressure, or even static discharge can destroy the internal circuitry," he says. "Clean them carefully with non-metal tools and make sure the ports and speaker meshes are dry."

Materials Needed:

• Static-free surface, such as an ESD mat
• Microfiber cloth
• Soft-bristled cleaning brush 
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
  

Instructions:

Huang, CEO at RapidDirect, offers this step-by-step guide to cleaning your earbuds:

1. Power off and disconnect. Remove the earbuds from their case and disconnect them from any devices.
2. Place on a clean, static-free surface. This could be made from rubber, vinyl, or laminate. ESD mats—which protect against electric static discharge (ESD)—can typically be purchased online. 
3. Wipe down exteriors. Take a dry microfiber cloth and use it to clean the surface of the earbuds and their case. If there is still grime on the device, apply a little bit of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth.
4. Clean the speaker mesh. Use a clean, soft-bristled brush or dry cotton swabs to clean the speaker’s mesh surface. Work in circular motions, avoiding excessive force so as not to damage the mesh.
5. Clean the case's interior. Use a dry cotton swab to clean around the metal contacts located in the charging case. Do not use excess liquid or force. 
6. Leave to air dry. If you utilized wet swabs or cloths, ensure that all parts have fully dried before placing the earbuds back in their case or resuming use.

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Common Mistakes When Cleaning Earbuds

Take special care to avoid damaging your earbuds by avoiding these common blunders.

• Remember: You're putting your earbuds in your ears, says Tkachenko. This means you don't want to use toxic cleaning chemicals—or anything stronger than 70 percent alcohol.
• Poking sharp objects (such as straight pins) through the speaker mesh can easily damage your device, cautions Huang. 
• Your case often tends to be dirtier than the earbuds—don't forget to clean it.
• If your electronics get wet, the best solution is to turn off the device and leave it out somewhere clean to dry, says Cummings. “People may be tempted to use rice or hair dryers to speed the process, but that can be damaging," she explains. "You don't want pieces of rice in your charging port or speaker holes. You also don't want to use a hair dryer as it may overheat the device, causing additional damage." Time is often your best remedy in these cases.