How to Clean AirPods: Expert Tips

To ensure that your devices last long and function properly, you need to handle them with care. In addition to proper usage, any product also requires regular maintenance. i-Space has prepared a series of articles on how to properly care for Apple devices. Last time, we cleaned Apple Watch smartwatches, and today we will learn how to clean AirPods.

How to Clean AirPods?

It’s important to understand that cleaning AirPods is not only a matter of aesthetics but also of sound quality. During use, they inevitably accumulate dirt, greasy fingerprints, and dust. By the way, the most serious enemy of AirPods is earwax, which gets into the openings and hardens, significantly reducing the volume level. You can avoid these problems if you know how to clean AirPods of earwax and other contaminants.

But before you proceed, remember what you should NEVER (absolutely never) do under any circumstances:

• Use strong chemical liquids for cleaning, including nail polish remover, solvents, acetone, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide.
• Use sharp metal objects (e.g., needles, paper clips, wire).
• Use abrasive materials for cleaning the surface.
• Rinse the headphones under running water.
• Listen to music through the headphones until they are completely dry.

To clean the casing of the 2nd or 3rd generation AirPods, wipe them with a clean cloth slightly moistened with water, and then dry them. In both cases, it should be a soft, lint-free material. You can also wipe the external surfaces with special wipes soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol.

Be even more careful with the mesh covering the speakers and microphone. Wipe these areas with a dry cotton swab, without pressing too hard. To remove small contaminants and improve sound quality, you can use a soft brush and, for example, a display cleaner with a low alcohol content. Spray the cleaner onto the brush and gently wipe the meshes. Remember that liquid should not get inside the speakers.

The tips for cleaning AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generations) are the same. The only difference is that AirPods Pro have silicone ear tips. If water has accumulated in them, gently tap the earbud against a soft cloth with the tip facing down.

The ear tips themselves can be safely washed in water. Of course, first remove them from the earbuds and do not use household detergents! Then wipe them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Just make sure they are completely dry before reattaching them.

How to Clean the AirPods Case

The charging case requires just as much care as the AirPods themselves. The outside can be cleaned with the same methods used for the earbuds. However, the inside of the case is a bit more challenging. It contains magnets that attract small debris, which can then get into the charging ports.

Extracting dirt from such hard-to-reach places can be quite difficult. Use a dry cotton swab for this. For the area around the lid’s edge, you can carefully use a wooden toothpick or a soft toothbrush.

If dirt has accumulated in the Lightning port, you can use a dry, clean, soft brush of a suitable size, such as one used for makeup or painting.

How to Clean AirPods Max

Caring for AirPods Max is essentially the same: no water or chemical liquids, just a dry, clean, lint-free cloth and wipes containing 70% or 75% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol.

For cleaning the ear cushions of AirPods Max, you can use a pre-prepared solution. Here’s the “recipe”: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid detergent for laundry or dishwashing and 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Moisten a lint-free cloth in the solution, wring it out, and gently wipe the ear cushions and headband. Hold the headband so that the liquid does not get into the attachment points. Then, wipe with a dry, soft cloth.

Important! Apple experts advise not to use the headphones for at least 24 hours. Only after a day has passed can you reattach the ear cushions and enjoy your music again with AirPods Max.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean AirPods?

Delaying the cleaning of AirPods is not advisable, as accumulated dirt directly affects sound quality. The worst-case scenario could mean you need to replace your AirPods.

If the dirt is severe, it’s better to trust the experts. Mishandling can damage the speaker meshes. At the authorized service center iSpace, your AirPods will be cleaned using an air stream, along with special cleaning agents and brushes. Achieving the same level of cleanliness at home is quite challenging.

The cost of the service is 5000 AMD, regardless of the degree of contamination of the AirPods. If the situation is dire and the service center specialist cannot clean the AirPods, the fee will not be charged.

As we can see, simply buying AirPods is not enough. To ensure they last long and function properly, they need to be maintained just like any other device.

If you have any questions, you can contact the specialists at the iSpace service center at +374 (98) 099 044 for a consultation.

ALSO READ:

How to connect AirPods to any model of Android?
How to reboot Apple devices and why is it necessary? Step-by-step instructions