October 15, 2024, 11:22 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Apple products are not exactly cheap and need to be well looked after. Regular cleaning is therefore important, especially for AirPods, which are worn directly in the ear. Apple has published a guide that explains how to do it properly.
The same applies to AirPods as to all in-ear headphones: over time, earwax, sweat, and dirt don’t just make the devices unsightly but can also affect the sound. Like other devices, headphones should, therefore, be cleaned regularly. However, there are a few points to bear in mind to ensure that the dirt does not get even deeper into the housing and end up damaging the AirPods. Apple has, therefore, published a video in which the manufacturer explains how to clean AirPods step by step. The instructions primarily apply to AirPods Pro but can also be used for other models of similarly constructed wireless earbuds and wired in-ear headphones.
Overview
What you need to clean the AirPods
First of all, an important note: Under no circumstances should you hold the headphones under running water. According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 are IP54 water-repellent, which means they are protected against sweat and rain. However, they are not waterproof. Therefore, no liquid should get inside. Other specifications apply to the older generations, so they should be dried off after sport, for example. The same applies to the charging cases.
The AirPods consist of different components, which must be treated differently when cleaning. Apple, therefore, recommends several tools:
- a dry, lint-free cloth or paper towel
- a child’s toothbrush
- distilled water
- micellar water
- a small cup
For rough cleaning, it is usually sufficient to wipe the AirPods with a soft, dry, and lint-free cloth. The headphones can be cleaned more thoroughly if you follow the steps outlined by Apple in the video:
In the video, Apple barely differentiates between the AirPods Pro with silicone attachments and the regular AirPods with a plastic housing.
Step 1: Clean the grille
Both the AirPods and the Pro models have small grilles in which dirt particles can accumulate. To clean these, Apple recommends using a toothbrush and micellar water. The latter can be found in the facial toner section of the drugstore. Dip the brush into the micellar water and then clean the grille of the AirPods with circular movements for about 15 seconds. Then, dab the headphones with the paper towel. Repeat the process three times. Finally, clean the toothbrush with the distilled water and scrub carefully over the grille again. Leave the AirPods to dry for about two hours after cleaning.
Tip: If coarse dirt has accumulated in front of the grille, the opening can be carefully cleaned with a dry cotton bud if necessary. It can also help to dab the areas with adhesive tape, as this allows dirt to be gently removed before using a brush. You should refrain from using toothpicks or other sharp objects as you could damage the grille.
Step 2: Clean the silicone tips of the AirPods Pro
This step is relatively simple, as the silicone tips of the AirPods Pro can be removed for cleaning. Simply pull them off carefully and soak them briefly in a water bath. Tap water is sufficient here. Then, simply rinse the attachments under water. Avoid using cleaning agents such as soap and dry the attachments thoroughly before attaching them to the AirPods.
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Step 3: Clean the housing and charging case of the AirPods
Cleaning the rest of the AirPods housing and the charging case is also relatively easy. Apple recommends simply wiping the AirPods housing with a cloth slightly dampened with water. To clean the charging case, however, users should use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) to reliably remove all dirt particles and any germs that may be present.
Make sure you only touch the surface with the damp cloth so that no water gets inside or into the charging port. Afterward, it is particularly important not to put the AirPods back into the charging case immediately but to wait until they are completely dry again.