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Let's be honest: AirPods cost a pretty penny. Whether you received them as a generous gift from yourself or from someone else, they deserve a little TLC, which includes cleaning them. And that's not just to keep them in working order — they need to be sanitized because dirty earbuds can actually lead to an ear infection. Um, yikes.
To keep this from happening, we've gathered expert tips on how to clean your AirPods easily and efficiently. But before getting into the nitty-gritty, here's a little bit of insight into what can happen when you don't clean your earbuds properly. Kelly Reynolds, an associate professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona, told BuzzFeed that typically harmless earwax can build up on your earbuds, eventually acting "as a layer to trap bacteria and prevent it from drying out so it can survive and grow." Not good.
To keep bacteria from dancing along to your favorite tunes, it's important to clean your AirPods — thoroughly. Apple suggests using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes or a soft-bristled children's toothbrush to clean your AirPods charging case and the meshes.
While Apple says these products are safe to use on the outside of AirPods, it also stresses that you shouldn't get too enthusiastic trying to get every crack and crevice. Avoid using wipes on the speaker mesh of your AirPods and refrain from "getting moisture in any openings," the company advises.
More than 30,000 Amazon shoppers rely on this product, with several saying they use them to clean tech. The individually wrapped wipes are damp but not overly wet, making them ideal for sanitizing delicate devices.
"I use these wipes to clean my cell phone, Apple Watch, AirPods and many more!" shared a five-star fan. "These mini wipes are easy to travel with, and it’s perfect for disinfecting or cleaning any objects you may have."
To remove any debris or buildup from your AirPods' charging ports or the meshes that are hard to clean, Apple recommends using a soft children's toothbrush. For the meshes, they advise dipping the toothbrush in a cup of micellar water (such as Bioderma) until the bristles are fully saturated and cleaning/drying the mesh a few times, followed by a brush with distilled water. To clean the port, use a toothbrush that's both clean and dry.
The Cult of Mac, which covers all things Apple, and Burton Kelso, owner and chief tech expert at Integral, a tech repair company, also shared a few tips on how to safely clean your AirPods.
Step 1: Wipe down each AirPod with a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth.
With almost 57,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, these cleaning cloths are an easy win. Each cloth comes in its own little bag, so you can toss one in your pocket and still keep it clean.
"These things really work better than any other clothes I have ever used for my glasses and other optical devices," one fan wrote. "Also great for cleaning my Apple products."
Step 2: To remove any filth or wax buildup around the speakers, Cult of Mac recommends using the SIM card removal tool that often comes with iPhones. It's small and stiff enough to get in those tiny corners. Don't have one? A very small screwdriver or a pair of tweezers can also do the trick. Experts advise going slowly so that you don't damage the speaker mesh or push wax further into your earbud.
Step 3: Once you've gently scraped away any buildup, it's time to disinfect. Using one of the wipe options above, gently rub the AirPods' plastic exterior and charging case. If you prefer to steer clear of wipes, Kelso told Reader's Digest that gently scrubbing with a dry cotton swab works too.
Step 4: If your AirPods are extra dirty, Kelso suggests another pass with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Then, wipe them again with a dry, lint-free cloth and put them on a clean surface to dry completely.
If you're into one-stop shopping (and who isn't?), there are also dedicated AirPod cleaning kits on Amazon that buyers say are effective and convenient. Check out two of our favorites below.
Over 6,400 Amazon shoppers have given this kit a five-star review, with one saying it's the "perfect tool" to banish the AirPod "ick."
"The metal tip and brush are great for removing debris, not only from your AirPods, earbuds, but also [your] iPhone. The metal tip is safe and doesn't scratch like you think it would," a reviewer wrote. "The sound on both my iPhone and AirPods significantly improved after using the Hyashee cleaner kit."
Amazon
If you prefer a one-time-use deep-cleaning kit that's made to remove 99% of earwax and dirt from your AirPods, this one from trusted tech accessories and Apple partner brand Belkin is a shopper favorite. It's fast, easy and super thorough.
"My ears get extra waxy, which causes my AirPods to become extra clogged and dirty with wax getting all over the ear tips," a fan wrote. "This AirPods cleaning kit worked perfectly to clean my AirPods 2. I am able to hear much better and no longer have to use max volume."
