Whether it's headphones, Airpods or other in-ear headphones - they all get dirty pretty quickly and need to be cleaned regularly, especiallyfor hygiene reasons, but also to maintain functionality. But many people wonder how this works best. Is water enough or can water damage the devices? Which cleaning products are allowed and how do you actually get this stubborn earwax out of the holes? Is disinfection necessary? We have summarized the best tips on how to clean Airpods and the case too!
Luckily, you don't have to have your Airpods cleaned. You can also do this yourself in the comfort of your own home. But how?
Cleaning Airpods – Are Airpods waterproof?
First of all, we would like to answer the question of whether these headphones are waterproof at all or, more precisely, how much water they can withstand. As practical as this would be for cleaning, the headphones are not waterproof. They can tolerate a certain amount of moisture (otherwise they would probably be gone after a long jog), but you should never clean your Airpods under running water. Their surface is water-repellent, but no water is allowed to get inside. However, the 1st and 2nd generation models are not water-repellent. Therefore, they should also be wiped dry after using a strenuous activity.
Clean Airpods – with what?
You don't even need water! Regardless of whether you are cleaning Apple Airpods or other headphones - a dry and soft cloth is completely sufficient. It is also important that it is lint-free. Cleaning products are also unnecessary. All you need to do is wipe the surface well. If you do decide to use one, at least use mild products such as soap. However, you must then remove these again, which you can do by lightly moistening the cloth.
Again, keep in mind that the headphones are equipped with tiny holes through which even minimal amounts of water can get inside. When using a damp cloth, wipe the surfaces without applying pressure, otherwise you will also squeeze the water in.
Is cleaning with alcohol allowed?
Disinfecting everyday objects is an important topic, especially in Corona times. Disinfectants have become our constant companion. But can you use such products to clean the Airpods? According to Apple, disinfection of surfaces is permitted. The manufacturer recommends thisso-called rubbing alcoholwith 70% alcohol (isopropyl).
Cleaning Airpods from earwax
If you want to clean Airpods properly, this is of course also necessaryEarwax removalin addition. Earwax collects mainly in the openings and on the grille of the Airpods, which can be somewhat difficult to remove. Ear swabs are an option, but you have to work carefully so as not to push the wax into the housing. Sharp objects are taboo so as not to damage the grid. Adhesive tape, which you can use to dab the dirty areas, proves to be very practical.
Tipp: There are special cotton swabs you can buy that you can use to clean the Airpods. They have a slightly narrower, tapered head and do not shed like the classic ear buds.
What about the silicone attachments?
Before you clean your Airpods, you should of course remove the silicone attachments. This is the only way you can get to all corners when you clean the Airpods. What's practical about them is that, unlike the headphones themselves, they are waterproof and can therefore be rinsed under running water. However, the manufacturer does not recommend using cleaning products when cleaning these Airpods attachments; even dishwashing liquid and soap are not necessary.
Can you see more stubborn dirt there? These can be scraped off with a toothpick or cotton swab and then wiped off with a suitable cloth as described above. An (electric) toothbrush can also be very useful.
Das Case
While you're at it and cleaning the Airpods, you can also clean the Airpods case. What needs to be taken into account? In principle, the rules are the same as when cleaning the Airpods: use a dry, lint-free cloth without detergent to wipe the outside. You can also put a little rubbing alcohol on the cloth to clean and disinfect the Airpods charging case at the same time. You can clean the interior with a brush.
Danger: If you use alcohol to clean the Apple Airpods case, be careful not to get any moisture into the Lightning charging port.
Before you put everything back together and put it in the charging case, you should give each element enough time to dry completely. For this purpose, you can spread them on kitchen paper, which will absorb the moisture and thus help dry faster.
