How to clean your AirPods: tips, tricks and tools

AirPods, for all their amazing sounds and features, can get pretty dirty. Lint, stains, sweat, and wax tend to build up in and on your AirPods over time, so it’s a good idea to clean them regularly.

However, before you break out the soap and water, be careful: these delicate appliances need to be cleaned in a special way to avoid damage. The proper method for cleaning AirPods is not the same as for other earbuds or headsets. In this article, we’ll walk you through proper cleaning techniques for AirPods (especially the tips) and AirPods Max (especially the earpads and headband), so you can get your cans looking and sounding like new.

Further reading
* how to clean your AirPods case * Common AirPods problems and how to fix them * AirPods tips and tricks

how to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro

Follow these simple steps to clean the case and speaker mesh of your AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Step 1: Lightly dampen a soft, lint-free cloth.

2nd step: Wipe the body while avoiding the speaker mesh.

Step 3: Use a dry cotton swab to clean the mesh of the microphone and speaker.

Step 4: Let them dry before placing them in the charging case or your ears.

how to clean the tips of your AirPods Pro

Here’s how to safely clean the tips of your AirPods Pro.

Step 1: If water has accumulated in the tip, tap the AirPod on a soft, dry, lint-free cloth with the tip opening facing down.

2nd step: Remove the tips from each AirPod and rinse each tip with water. Again, do not use soap or other household cleaners.

Step 3: Wipe each tip with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Wait for the tips to dry completely before replacing them on each AirPod.

Step 4: Replace the tips on each AirPod. The tips are oval shaped, so make sure you align them correctly before snapping them back on.

Before you know it, your AirPods will be as good as new. The most important thing to remember is to use as little liquid as possible. Now go for the cleanest AirPods Pro on the block.

how to clean your AirPods Max

First of all, never operate your AirPods Max underwater. Instead, wipe the body with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.

If your AirPods Max have been exposed to something that could cause staining, like soap, shampoos, or lotions, wipe them with a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water. Then dry them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Do not attempt to use them until they are completely dry.

how to clean the earpads and headband of your AirPods Max

Here’s how to clean the earpads and headband of your AirPods Max.

Step 1: In a clean container, mix 1 teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup of cool water.

2nd step: Remove the earbud cushions by gently pulling them out.

Step 3: Dip a lint-free cloth into the soapy water solution, wring it out, and rub the cloth over the cushions and headband for one minute each. Tip: Hold your AirPods Max upside down while cleaning to prevent liquid from flowing into the headband attachment point.

Step 4: Dry the cushions and headband with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any excess moisture.

Step 5: Dry your AirPods Max flat for at least 24 hours before replacing and using the cushions.

Frequently asked questions

how to clean earwax from AirPods?

To clean earwax from your AirPods, try wiping or dabbing them with a damp microfiber cloth, then drying them with a lint-free cloth. You can also try going around the ear tip with a damp cotton swab to remove earwax from your AirPods.

Why is there so much earwax in my AirPods?

The reason there’s so much earwax in your AirPods is because the earbuds go pretty deep into your ear canal, where this kind of thing builds up. Instead of your body naturally dissipating some of the earwax out of your ear canal, it ends up in your AirPod. Fortunately, there are easy ways to clean your AirPods:

1. Remove the tips from each AirPod and rinse each tip with water. Again, do not use soap or other household cleaners.
2. Wipe each tip with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Wait for the tips to dry completely before replacing them on each AirPod.
3. Replace the tips on each AirPod. The tips are oval shaped, so make sure you align them correctly before snapping them back on.

how to remove deep stains from AirPods?

To remove deep stains from your AirPods, try the following:

1. Lightly dampen a soft, lint-free cloth.
2. Wipe the body while avoiding the speaker mesh.
3. Use a dry cotton swab to clean the mesh of the microphone and speaker.
4. Let them dry before placing them in the charging case or your ears.

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