With a price tag ranging between $129 to the rumored $249 for the latest AirPod Pro, one might think that it should retain its original luster and cleanliness for a longer period of time. But if you are like most people, your AirPods probably spend more time in your ears than they do in their case.
As such, they’re more exposed to the everyday dirt, grime, and earwax that your body produces. While it’s not exactly the most glamorous topic, keeping your AirPods clean is important for both hygiene and sound quality purposes.
After all, you can consider your earbuds as an accessory that completes your outfit. And like any other accessory, they need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to look and function their best.
How to Clean AirPods with Alcohol
Cleaning your AirPods is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to do it correctly. Before beginning, make sure you have the following items: rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), a lint-free microfiber cleaning cloth, cotton swabs, a toothpick, and a soft brush.
To clean the AirPods, make sure the AirPods are turned off and disconnected from your device. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto the lint-free microfiber cloth. Then, wipe down each earbud and the charging case with the cloth.
For areas that are difficult to reach, use a cotton swab. Additionally, use a toothpick to remove any debris from the charging ports and a soft brush to clean the exterior of the case.
Take note that you should let the AirPods dry completely before putting them back in their case. Also, do not submerge the AirPods in water to clean them.
How to Clean AirPods Pro Silicone Tips
To clean a yellow stain on AirPods Pro, dip a cotton swab into isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol and wipe the stain until it’s gone. Wipe the AirPods Pro dry with a clean microfiber cloth, then wait until they’re completely dry before using them again.
Why are My AirPod Pro Buds Turning Yellow?
The AirPods Pro’s polycarbonate plastic may discolor over time if exposed to factors, such as sunlight, cigarette smoke, and sweat.
- Sunlight: The material, polycarbonate plastic, does not do well against excessive sunlight.
- Smoke: Smoke from cigarettes and other smoky activities can cause the color of the case to shift to a more yellow hue.
- Sweat: Contact with body sweat can cause the color of the case to change over time.
How to Keep AirPod Pro Clean and Sparkling
Buds
To keep your AirPod Pro buds clean, simply wipe them down with a dry microfiber cloth. If you need to, you can lightly dampen the cloth with water. Avoid getting moisture in the openings.
Be sure to clean the microphone and speaker meshes located on the inside of each AirPod Pro bud. To do this, use a dry cotton swab and insert it into the small hole at the bottom of each AirPod Pro bud. Gently move the cotton swab around in a circular motion to remove any debris.
To keep the exterior of your earbuds sparkling, you can wipe them with a specialized cleaning gel or foam. These products are designed to remove fingerprints and other oils from surfaces without damaging them. Make sure they don’t have abrasive materials, though, since you don’t want to scratch the surface of your earbuds and cause damage.
Tips
The primary thing to remember is to prevent the tips from turning yellow. As such, you should regularly clean your tips with a gentle soap (such as dishwashing liquid) and water. You can also use a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies of the tips. Make sure to remove them from the buds first.
Case
To clean the charging case, first remove any dirt or debris from the case with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If there is more stubborn dirt or grime, you can use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water to gently clean it away. Once the charging case is clean and dry, you can put your AirPods back in.
To keep the case sparkling, you can also wipe it with a mild soap and water solution or specialized cleaner. Be sure to dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth before putting the AirPods back in.
FAQs
How dirty do AirPod Pros get?
Your AirPod Pros can get pretty dirty, especially if you wear them while working out or running. Sweat and dirt can build up on the earbuds and in the charging case, and that grime can eventually lead to audio quality issues.
As such, it still depends on how often you use your earbuds and how much they’re exposed to dirt, dust and earwax. If you use your AirPods Pros regularly, you may want to clean them as frequently as once a week. However, if you don’t use them often or keep them safely tucked away in their charging case, cleaning them every couple of weeks should suffice.
Can earwax damage AirPods?
While earwax won’t damage your AirPods, it can reduce their sound quality. Earwax is made up of oil and dead skin cells, which can clog the speaker grille on your AirPods and block sound. If you’re noticing that your AirPods aren’t sounding as good as they used to, it’s probably time to clean them.
How do you clean wax out of your AirPods?
To remove wax from your AirPods, gently remove the earbud tips using a small, pointy object like a paperclip. If you see any wax on the tips, use a dry cotton swab to remove it. Next, use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down the outside of each earbud. Be careful not to get any water inside the charging port or speaker grille.
Avoid getting the earbuds with too much wax. Make sure to wipe them with a soft cloth regularly and to remove the ear tips and clean them when you can see a build-up of wax.
Does Apple clean AirPods for free?
No, Apple does not currently offer a free cleaning service for AirPods. However, you can clean your AirPods at home using the simple steps outlined above.
