3 mistakes you're making when cleaning your AirPods (and other headphones)

Your trusty headphones go through a lot day-to-day, and keeping them clean can have more benefits than just improving hygiene.

It's never good for your ear health to use dirty headphones, and removing the wax, dust and other gunk can also improve their sound quality. Plus, it can make them easier to sell if you're thinking of listing them online, and maybe even persuade you to consider buying a used pair yourself. 

But cleaning them the wrong way can cause significant damage or invalidate the warranty if you're not careful. 

Whether you've got Apple AirPods or a different brand of headphones, see our expert tips below on the pitfalls to avoid (and what to do instead).

For long-lasting headphones that don't compromise on sound quality, see our in-depth headphone reviews

1. You're using water or abrasive liquids

Try to avoid using water to clean your headphones, and certainly don't submerge the metal parts in water. Exposing your headphones' metallic elements to water can cause a green discolouration, rusting or more extensive damage.

It's also safer to steer clear of harsh chemicals such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide. These can corrode the headphones' material and potentially break them.

Our expert suggests: 

'Cleaning your headphones with some kind of brush is often enough to shift stubborn dirt and grime. If you haven't got a specialised headphones cleaning brush, a clean, soft-bristle toothbrush (or smaller interspace toothbrush if the speakers are quite narrow) will suffice. Brushes are typically better than liquids at reaching those hard-to-reach spots and they’re also a relatively cheap solution.

'Some headphones are water resistant, such as the LG Tone Free Fit UTF8, and can be safely washed under the tap. But be aware that this is the exception rather than the rule with most headphones.'

2. You're using excessive force on the speakers

The speakers and surrounding mesh on your headphones can be extremely delicate, especially with in-ear headphones.

Don't use sharp objects to clean the speakers. Instead, use a brush (as explained above) and a very gentle touch. You should also avoid using adhesive putty (such as Blu Tack) to clean inside the speaker, as this can just end up pushing dust and dirt further inside.

Our expert suggests:

'Although it can be tempting to use a sticky malleable substance such as Blu Tack to capture ingrained dirt, the potential of it seeping through and contaminating the internal mechanism of your headphones is too high. Instead, regularly cleaning your headphones will prevent dirt and grime building up, making the task quick and easy in the long run.

'If you do have a build-up of dirt and grime, gently cleaning your headphones with a brush in a circular motion – switching between clockwise and anti-clockwise – will dislodge that build-up safely.'

3. You're cleaning the rubber parts with very hot water

If you absolutely have to use water to clean your headphones, ensure you're only using it on the rubber parts such as the removable eartips – and check that the water isn't too hot.

Using very hot water on the rubber parts can cause them to shrink, rendering them misshapen and making them much harder to fit back in your ears.

Our expert suggests: 

'As the removable eartips are typically made of silicone or rubber, they’re usually more durable than other parts of the headphones. Cleaning them with warm (but not hot or boiling) water and soap is safe, and you could even use anti-bacterial wipes here as well.

'One thing to be aware of is the potential for discolouration of the eartips when using stronger cleaning solutions, especially when they’re lighter in colour. Once you’re finished cleaning, rinse the eartips with clean water before use.'

How to clean AirPods and other in-ear headphones

You don't need to deep-clean your ear buds frequently, but giving them a once-over every week or two is a good idea.

Before you do anything, make sure to check the manufacturer's warranty to ensure any cleaning you do doesn't invalidate it. Find out when you can use a manufacturer's warranty or guarantee.

1. If your headphones have rubber tips, gently remove these and leave to soak for five to 10 minutes in warm water.
2. Take the rubber tips and use a cotton pad or cotton buds to wipe away any dirt. Rinse if needed and air-dry on a lint-free cloth.
3. Holding the mesh cover face down, use a soft, dry brush – such as a clean toothbrush –  to remove any dirt.
4. Wipe down the exterior surfaces of the headphones, charging case, and cord (if applicable) with a lint-free cloth or cotton pad. If these need a deeper clean, you can gently use a 70% alcohol wipe, but be sure you don't get any liquid inside the headphones.
5. To clean the inside of the charging case, use a cotton swab to get into all the nooks and crannies, taking care not to damage the electrical elements.
6. Make sure every element of your headphones is completely dry before reassembly. Don't use hot air (like a hair dryer), as this will likely damage the headphones.

For advice from the manufacturers themselves, see below:

• Apple: How to clean AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and EarPods.
• LG: How to clean your earbuds properly.
• Sony: Headphones maintenance tips.

How to clean over-ear headphones

To clean over-ear headphones or headsets, the same rules apply when it comes to ensuring no moisture gets inside.

As with in-ear headphones, check you're not invalidating the warranty before you start cleaning.

1. If possible, gently remove the ear pads and use a lint-free cloth to wipe them down. If they're particularly dirty, use a clean soft-bristled brush to loosen the dirt.
2. Holding them speaker-side down, carefully remove any dust or lint from the speakers with a cotton swab.
3. If your headphones are adjustable, expand the headband and wipe all around it with a cloth.
4. If needed, wipe down the case and charging cable with a dry cloth or 70% alcohol wipe and allow to dry.
5. As above, ensure every element of your headphones is air-dried completely before reassembly. Do not use hot air to dry.

What if I've cleaned them and they still won't work?

If you're finding the sound quality of your headphones is still suboptimal after cleaning them, there may be a deeper problem or internal damage. If you think you've bought a faulty product, see how to get a refund, repair or replacement. Be sure to contact the manufacturer if you're within the warranty period.

Before throwing in the towel, you can perform some basic troubleshooting, including:

• Turning them off and on again.
• Leaving them to charge for an extended period.
• Double-checking the Bluetooth connection via your smartphone, or re-pairing with another device.
• Disconnecting and reconnecting paired devices such as your phone and laptop.
• Removing the wired connection (if there is one).
• Checking the manufacturer's website for firmware updates.

Or, if it's truly the end for your headphones, see our guide to recycling electrical items. You can then use our expert pick of the best headphones for your next set.

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