Clean Airpods: This is how dirty in-ear headphones get clean

Dirt & Earwax
Clean Airpods: This is how headphones, silicone attachments and charging case get clean again

Over time, dust and dirt residue as well as earwax collect in the Airpods.

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As small and innovative as Apple’s technology may be, it is prone to dirt and grime. In order to maintain the functionality of the in-ear headphones – and also for hygienic reasons – you should clean your Airpods regularly.

According to Statista, Apple is the most popular headphone brand in Germany: A recent survey shows that 23 percent of the 2,695 participants surveyed own an in-ear model from the US manufacturer – i.e. Airpods or Airpods Pro. Anyone who uses their headphones frequently will be surprised over time at the unsightly dirt residues such as earwax on the silicone attachments or in the fine grids. But the headphones themselves and the charging case are not safe from dirt either. This is why it makes sense to clean your Airpods. How this works best is explained below.

These cleaning supplies are required

If you want to clean your Airpods, you first need these four cleaning utensils:

  1. A soft, dry and lint-free microfiber cloth. For example the one you use to clean your glasses or your laptop.
  2. A few clean cotton swabs, preferably with a firm and smooth surface (there are soft and fluffy models).
  3. A thin, soft-bristled paintbrush that is unused if possible to prevent paint residue from sticking to it.
  4. Pure alcohol to disinfect the surface. According to Apple, isopropyl with 70 percent alcohol is suitable, but isopropyl alcohol can also be used as an alternative.

Tip: Additionally, you can also sign up cleaning kit Get one that is specially designed for Airpods. It includes various cleaning tools designed to make removing dirt, debris, and earwax easier.

Clean Airpods: These are the most important steps

The case

The microfiber cloth is used to clean the headphones, i.e. the housing of the Airpods: moisten it very slightly before cleaning the surface of light dust and dirt residues. Stubborn stains, on the other hand, can be removed with alcohol: only apply a few drops alcohol on the cloth before using it to clean the Airpods.

Important NOTE: The headphones are not waterproof, so you should use as little moisture as possible – and make sure that no liquid gets inside the housing.

The microphone and speaker grilles

The small openings in the Airpods are particularly difficult to clean. You can use a clean brush with fine bristles to remove dust from the dirty microphone and speakers. However, be very careful not to push the dirt through the metal grilles. If you want to remove coarse dirt such as earwax, you should use a smooth cotton swab with a little isopropyl alcohol on it. Alternatively, you can use a toothpick.

The silicone attachments

Earwax accumulates over time, especially on the silicone earplugs, such as those found on the Airpods Pro. To remove this, you can remove the attachments and clean them under running water – according to Apple, you should avoid using detergent and soap. Particularly stubborn dirt residues, on the other hand, can be removed with toothpicks and cotton swabs. Or you can simply buy new ones silicone attachments for your airpods.

The charging case

Last but not least is the charging case: While you can also clean the case with a damp microfiber cloth (and some alcohol), the sensitive Lightning connector should only be treated with a brush – otherwise the sensitive metal contacts could be damaged. The interior of the charging case is also wiped out with the brush.

Tip: You can also order the charging case separately without the Airpods. With a voucher from Conrad you save ten euros on your first purchase.

Source: extra

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