According to Statista's Global Consumer Survey of 4,220 U.S. adults, about 34.4% of respondents use Apple AirPods. The amazing features of the Apple AirPods, including wireless connectivity, noise cancellation, water resistance, better fit, great sound, and more, make the device a popular choice among earbuds and earphone users. However, if you use your AirPods frequently, cleaning the device properly is crucial to maintain sound quality and extend the lifespan.
Additionally, cleaning the AirPods regularly can help prevent the buildup of earwax, remove dirt and debris, and avoid skin irritation. Routine cleaning can also help maintain hygiene, mitigate ear infections, and prevent other ear issues. However, the frequency of cleaning the AirPods will depend on how often and how long you use your AirPods. In this post, we will explore different cleaning techniques to promote long-term AirPods health.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Apple AirPods?
As mentioned earlier, the frequency of cleaning your AirPods depends on how often, how long, and the activities you use the device for.
Daily or Frequent Use (Several times a week)
If you use your AirPods every day for activities such as commuting, exercising, yoga, meditation, or receiving phone calls, you need to clean them every week. Weekly cleaning can help prevent the buildup of earwax, dirt, and debris. Thus, ensuring optimal performance and hygiene.
Moderate Use (Once a Week)
What's more, if you use your AirPods a few times a week for work or leisure activities, such as gaming, watching movies, or virtual meetings, you may need to clean them every two weeks. Bi-weekly cleaning is often recommended to maintain performance and cleanliness.
Occasional Use (Once a Week or Less)
Furthermore, if you use your Apple AirPods occasionally for activities like traveling or special events, you need to clean them monthly or after each use. Monthly cleaning can help remove accumulated dirt or bacteria. This way, you can enjoy a neat and clean AirPods during your next session.
Intensive Activities (Exercise or High-Contact Activities)
However, if you use your AirPods for intense activities, such as physical fitness, running, jogging, or exercises that may lead to significant sweat or dirt buildup, ensure that you clean them after every session. This prevents damage to the AirPods and reduces the risk of ear infections or irritation.
Tips & Techniques for Cleaning AirPods
Here are some insightful tips and techniques for cleaning your Apple AirPods:
Light Cleaning Tips for Daily, Moderate, & Occasional AirPods Use
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe down the exterior of the AirPods and charging case. Do not use any abrasive material that could scratch the surface.
- Use a dry, soft-bristled brush (like an old toothbrush) to lightly brush away any dust or debris that has accumulated in the speaker grills or microphone ports.
- Use a clean cotton swab to gently remove any visible earwax or debris buildup around the speaker meshes. Be careful not to push anything further into the openings.
- For the charging case, use a dry cloth or soft brush to wipe away any lint or dirt from the interior chamber where the AirPods rest.
- Avoid using liquids or harsh cleaning solutions. Moisture can damage the internal components of the AirPods.
- After use, allow any moisture from sweat or humidity to fully dry before placing the AirPods in the charging case.
Deep Cleaning Tips for AirPods Used for Intensive Activities
- Use a slightly damp or soft cloth to gently wipe down the exterior of the AirPods and charging case. Dampen the cloth with water or some alcohol solution for more thorough cleaning.
- Use a lightly moistened cotton swab or soft-bristled brush to carefully remove any buildup of earwax, sweat, or debris from the speaker grills and microphone ports. Avoid pushing anything into the openings while cleaning.
- To remove stubborn buildup, use a small amount of mild soap and water on a soft cloth or cotton swab. Gently scrub the affected areas, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- For the charging case interior, use a lightly damp cotton swab or soft-bristled brush to clean away any accumulated dirt, debris, or earwax.
- After cleaning, use a dry, soft, lint-free cloth to thoroughly dry all surfaces and openings before you reassemble or charge the device.
- In addition, you can use wet wipes (or alcohol wipes) designed for electronics to disinfect and clean the AirPods and case. Do not allow any moisture to enter the opening while deep cleaning.
- For heavy sweat or earwax buildup, use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in soapy water or alcohol solution, gently brushing the grills and ports.
Routine Maintenance Tips
Here are some routine maintenance tips for AirPods:
- Inspect the speaker grills and microphone ports regularly. You can use a bright light or magnifying glass to check for any buildup of debris, wax, or blockages.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush away dust or debris.
- Blow compressed air to dislodge any visible particles from the speaker grills and microphone ports.
- Clean the AirPods tips with a lightly damp cloth or cotton swab to remove accumulated ear oils and skin buildup.
- Always keep the charging case clean. You can clean the interior charging chamber using a soft brush or compressed air.
- Install any available software updates to improve performance and fix bugs that may affect audio quality.
- Monitor battery levels and optimize charging habits to extend the AirPods' battery lifespan.
- Store your AirPods properly (in the charging case) in a cool, dry place when not in use to prevent exposure to moisture.
Safe Cleaning Products and Tools
However, when cleaning your AirPods, avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, as these could damage the device. A very safe material for cleaning your AirPods is the Hybuds Pen AirPod Cleaner. Manufactured by Hygadget, this is a 3-in-1 Airpods cleaning kit that comprises an optimized metal tip, high-density soft brush, and flocking sponge cotton bud tip.
In addition, this cleaning tool can effectively remove ear wax residue, dust, stubborn ear wax gunk, unpleasant stains, fingerprints, and more from the surface, corners, holes, and openings of your AirPods. This leaves you with clean and hygienic AirPods that deliver exceptional performance. Above all, it is suitable for cleaning Apple AirPods Pro, AirPods 2nd Gen, AirPods 3rd Gen, MagSafe Charging Case, and more.
Final Thoughts
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential for any tech accessory, including earphones, headphones, and earbuds. Ensure that you clean your AirPods regularly—depending on the frequency of usage—with a dry cloth, soft brush, or wipes to remove dust, debris, and wax. Also, check the speaker grills or microphone ports to ensure there are no blockages. With this level of care, you can prevent buildup, maintain good hygiene, and ensure longevity, optimal sound quality, and exceptional performance of your AirPods.
