We use our AirPods on a daily and having previously discussed their cleanliness is crucial for not only the functionality but also to ensure hygiene. Traditional methods, like using cotton buds, isopropyl alcohol, and lint-free cloths can be cumbersome and occasionally risky for our delicate electronics, especially with the usage of cleaning solutions that can get into and ruin the internal electronic circuit of the earbud device. Today we will discuss the innovative use of UV-C light to sterilize AirPods. UV-C light offers a promising solution by eradicating harmful bacteria and viruses with the use of chemicals, ensuring your earbuds remain in pristine condition.
What is UV-C light?
UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light that has a specific wavelength range of 200 to 280 nanometers. At this spectrum, it is particularly effective in disinfection and sterilization. It basically has the capability to destroy genetic material in viruses and bacteria, making them harmless. Its sanitizing abilities offer a potent, non-chemical approach when you want to clean your devices.
Benefits of UV-C light on your AirPods
- Safety: UV-C light provides a non-toxic alternative to your normal chemical disinfectants that may contain harsh toxic ingredients. This method also ensures that no chemical residues are left behind which could seep into your AirPods and cause damage.
- Efficiency: It offers a quick and effective sterilization which only requires a few minutes to eradicate harmful microorganisms. This is much quicker than your conventional cleaning methods, which consume more time and aren’t always effective against all types of pathogens.
- Longevity: There are no excuses to regularly use UV-C light it’s quick and easy. It has the potential to maintain the functionality and appearance of your AirPods over time. This results in less buildup of debris and bacteria so that your AirPods can perform at their best with the possibility of extending their lifespan.
How to Use UV-C Light for AirPods
For effective usage of UV-C light for sterilizing your AirPods, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Choose the right UV-C Sterilizer: Ensure your choice of device is designed for small electronics and specifically mentions it’s safe for devices like AirPods
- Position your AirPods Properly: Make sure you expose all sections of your AirPods to the UV-C light for optimum cleaning. If your UV-C light is coming from only one angle make sure to flip your AirPods unexposed side to it once you’re done with one side.
- Regular Cleaning: That’s pretty much it, easy right? Repeat steps 1-2 in cycles for regular cleaning to ensure your AirPods are consistently free from germs and bacteria. How often should you clean them? This depends on your lifestyle and frequency of usage, you can find out how often you need to clean them here.
- Safety Precaution: Avoid direct exposure to UV-C light on the skin and eyes as it is harmful. When Using UV-C devices always follow their safety guidelines
Limitations
We have talked about the benefits and promising results of using UV-C light to clean our devices from bacteria and viruses, however, there are some limitations with using this method that you should be aware of.
First let’s talk about the exposure risk it has on both our skin and eyes, leading to burns or eye damage. Obviously, we wouldn’t intentionally direct UV-C on our skin or eyes unless we love getting a tan or becoming blind but just know the dangers that come with this. UV-C light can be hazardous, and proper precautions must take place in order to avoid accidental exposure. For instance, a case study involving 26 medical students who were accidentally exposed to UV-C light as a result of a timer malfunction which caused symptoms of photokeratitis and significant skin erythema. More details on this study can be found in the PubMed article.
If you’re not keen on using UV-C light to clean your AirPods you can opt for a safer mechanical tool known as the Hybuds Pen which is also very efficient in cleaning your device.
Key Takeaway:
Using UV-C light to sterilize your AirPods shows to be a highly efficient, non-toxic method for getting rid of harmful microorganisms from your earbuds with the potential to extend their lifespan and maintain their functionality. Whilst UV-C light delivers a rapid and effective alternative to the usual chemical disinfectants, it's important to handle it with care due to the risks of skin and eye exposure which can cause more harm than good. It’s highly recommended to always follow the safety guidelines when purchasing a UV-C light device intended for cleaning and consider alternatives like mechanical tools such as the Hybuds Pen which has a compatible design for AirPods if UV-C light seems too risky for personal use.
