Odds are, you use your earbuds multiple times every day. While your earbuds are undoubtedly a necessity, they can become dirty because of how often they’re used.
Unfortunately, wax and dust buildup on your earbuds and ear tips is not just an aesthetic issue. It can also affect sound quality and lower the volume output, and at worse, maybe even give you an ear infection. Given this, it’s important that you learn how to clean your earbuds and ear tips safely.
How Often Should You Clean Your Earbuds?
There’s no real rule regarding how often you need to clean your earbuds and ear tips. The frequency varies based on how often you wear your earbuds and what activity you’re doing while wearing them.
For instance, if you wear your earbuds for a couple of hours while working in your air-conditioned office, you can get away with cleaning them infrequently. But if you’re wearing yourwireless earbuds while playing sportsor working out, they will need to be cleaned more often. Additionally, if you’re using them for exercise, you may also want to do a thorough cleaning every month.
Given that it’s hard to tell how often you need to actually clean your earbuds, the best thing to do is to keep an eye on all of your ear gear. If you start noticing any kind of buildup, give them a wipe-down immediately.
Don’t get into the habit of putting off cleaning them for another time because earbuds and ear tips with sticky buildup will only attract more debris, making it harder for you to clean them eventually.
Supplies You’ll Need to Clean Your Earbuds
Make sure you have all the key supplies on hand before you start the cleaning process. You’ll need:
Also, make sure your hands are clean before you start cleaning. You don’t want to accidentally transfer more dirt to your earbuds!
5 Steps to Clean Your Ear Tips and Earbuds
Before you begin cleaning your earbuds, remember to disconnect them from devices and remove them from the charging case.
1. Soak the Tips
Whether your earbuds havefoam or silicone ear tips, you should know that they can accumulate buildup as well. To clean them, take a small- to medium-sized bowl and mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid with some lukewarm water.
Then, rotate and pull the ear tips out. Gently soak them in the soapy solution for at least 30 minutes. If the buildup is stubborn, you may have to soak the ear tips in warm water for longer.
2. Dry the Tips
Remove the tips from the solution and wipe them down with a cotton swab. Let them air dry completely before you use or attach them back to your earbuds.
3. Wipe Down the Earbuds
If your earbuds don’t seem to have any buildup, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth. You can also use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the hard plastic parts of your earbuds. Just ensure you use it sparingly and with caution, so you don’t damage the speaker, mic holes, or charging ports.
4. Use Canned Air
If you spot a little debris lodged in your earbuds, the easiest and quickest approach to cleaning them is by using canned air or a rocket blower.
When using a blower or canned air, ensure to point the speaker grill away from your face to prevent the debris from accidentally flying into your eyes. Point the blower downward and gently press or squeeze to release the air.
If this cleans your earbuds, proceed to wipe them down with a dry microfiber cloth. Then, attach your dry ear tips to the earbuds, and you’re able to continue using them.
5. Use a Cleaning Tool
If it’s been a while since you cleaned your earbuds, a slight puff of air and a quick wipe-down may not clean your device well enough. In this case, you’ll want to use an earbud-cleaning tool to break up the grime and pull out the buildup without damaging the device itself. These tools are often inexpensive, and some high-end models may even come with them.
When using a cleaning tool, you’ll want to move the tool gently enough to scoop out the ear wax and debris. Don’t jam the tip of the tool into your earbuds, or you may end up pushing the grime deeper into the earbuds and damaging the drivers.
Once you’ve cleaned the earbuds with the cleaning tool, wipe them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth and reattach the ear tips.
How to Clean Your Earbuds Charging Case
Ever felt like yourtrue wireless earbuds have terrible battery life? Make sure to give the case a good cleaning. Wireless earbuds are stored in a charging case, like theApple AirPods or the Beats Fit Pro, which can collect gunk. When this happens, the connectors that facilitate the charging won’t work as well.
To clean the charging case, use a dry microfiber cloth or a cotton swab. Wipe down the inside and outside of the case, making sure to also clean the pins and metal pads inside.
Keep in mind that while it might seem easier to wipe your earbuds and the charging case with a damp cloth or under running water, it’s best not to do this since water could damage your device.
3 Ways to Keep Your Earbuds Clean for Longer
The more often you clean your earbuds and ear tips, the less thoroughly you’ll have to do it since there’s less buildup to clean. Here are a few other things you can do to ensure your earbuds remain clean and last as long as possible.
1. Use the Case
Whether you’re walking out of the gym or are finishing a meeting, take the time to place your earbuds back in their case or pouch. Throwing them into your backpack or pocket can cause them to pick up a lot of dust and lint.
2. Let Them Dry Before Placing Them in the Case
Before you place your earbuds in the case, make sure they’re completely dry. This prevents moisture, or sticky buildup, from accumulating.
3. Close the Charging Case When Not in Use
If you are charging your earbuds, keep the case closed. Keeping them open will allow dust to settle on the earbuds or in the interior of the charging case.
A Little Care and Precaution Can Pay Off
While it may not seem like a big deal, the hygiene of your earbuds and ear tips is directly linked to your listening experience and the longevity of your device. Fortunately, a little preventative care from time to time can keep your earbuds sounding great and reduce the chances of you having to replace them often.
