Dirt & earwax
Clean Airpods: This is how headphones, silicone attachments and charging cases get clean again
Over time, dust and dirt residue as well as earwax collect in the Airpods.
© All the rights for presented photos are my own. / Getty Images
As small and innovative as Apple’s technology may be, it is susceptible 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 current 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, over time, be surprised at the unsightly dirt residue such as earwax on the silicone tips or in the fine grilles. But the headphones themselves and the charging case are also not safe from dirt. For this reason, it makes sense to clean your Airpods. How this works best is explained below.
These cleaning supplies are needed
If you want to clean your Airpods, you first need these four cleaning utensils:
- A soft, dry and lint-free Microfiber cloth. For example, the one you use to clean your glasses or your laptop.
- A few clean cotton swabs, preferably with a firm and smooth surface (there are also soft and fuzzy models).
- A thin brush with soft bristles, which if possible has not yet been used, so that there are no paint residues on it.
- Pure alcohol to disinfect the surface. According to Apple, isopropyl with 70 percent alcohol is suitable; alternatively, isopropyl alcohol is also possible.
Tip: Additionally, you can also register Cleaning kit Get one that is specifically designed for Airpods. It contains various cleaning tools designed to make it easier to remove dirt, debris and earwax.
Cleaning Airpods: These are the most important steps
The housing
The microfiber cloth is used to clean the headphones, i.e. the housing of the Airpods: To do this, moisten it very slightly before using it to remove light dust and dirt from the surface. However, you can remove stubborn stains with alcohol: just apply a few drops alcohol onto 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 runs into the inside of the housing.
The microphone and speaker grills
The small openings in the Airpods are particularly difficult to clean. To remove dust from dirty microphone and speakers, you can use a clean brush with fine bristles. 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 onto which you drip a little isopropyl alcohol. Alternatively, you can also use a toothpick.
The silicone attachments
Earwax builds up over time, especially on the silicone earplugs like those on the Airpods Pro. To remove this, you can remove the attachments and clean them under running water – you should avoid using detergent and soap (according to Apple). However, particularly stubborn dirt residues 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, it’s the turn of the charging case: While you can also clean the case with a damp microfiber cloth (and a little alcohol), the sensitive Lightning connector should only be cleaned 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: Statista
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