How to clean your AirPods (because you definitely need to!)

If you’re an AirPods user, chances are good you use them practically all day, every day. But how often do you clean them? If the answer isn’t “frequently”, it’s time to change that! Many AirPods users hesitate to clean their AirPods simply because they don’t know how. They are small and fragile after all, not to mention expensive!

Luckily, there are safe, easy ways to clean your AirPods–the key is to be gentle and use the right materials. Product protection is also a great way to ensure your AirPods are covered in case of an accident, damage, or anything else that might happen. Install the Mulberry browser extension to find the latest in protection plans for your AirPods, so you never have to go without them.

Wondering how to clean your AirPods? If so, this article is for you. Check out these tips for keeping your AirPods squeaky clean:

Why should you clean your AirPods?

If you’re a frequent AirPods user, you probably find yourself using them at the gym while you work out, on the go during your daily commute, and even at home while you cook dinner. That’s a lot of use, which means that it’s easy for dirt, sweat, and bacteria to accumulate. All of these things can be harmful to both you and your AirPods!

Dirt and grime buildup can easily irritate your ear, costing you a doctor’s visit or even an infection down the road. Sweat, dirt, and bacteria can reduce the AirPods’ capacity to produce quality sound, and even cause them to wear out faster. All of these reasons and more are why it’s so important to keep your AirPods clean.

Tips for cleaning your AirPods

Now that you understand why it’s so important to keep your AirPods clean, you’re probably wondering how to actually clean them–especially without damaging them. Here are some tips to help you get started.

What not to do

First, it’s important to understand what NOT to do. AirPods can be easily damaged, so Apple recommends that you avoid doing these things when cleaning your AirPods:

• Never submerge your AirPods under water.
• Never run water over your AirPods.
• Do not use your AirPods before they are dry.
• When cleaning, avoid using any sharp materials that could puncture the AirPods’ speaker meshes.
• Avoid any abrasive materials, such as hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
• Avoid using disinfectants on the speaker mesh of your AirPods.

What to do

Here are a few ways to keep your AirPods clean without damaging them.

• For light amounts of dirtiness (and as a starting step before deep cleaning), use a lint-free cloth to gently wipe away any dirt, sweat, and earwax that are stuck to your AirPods. Keep in mind that there might be dirt and other grime beyond what you can see with the naked eye, so be sure to carefully wipe the entire surface of your AirPods.
• If you’d like to deep clean your AirPods, it’s important to treat each surface differently. For example, the speakers and microphones are covered in mesh, which are much more delicate than the plastic sections. To clean the mesh parts, lightly dab at them with a few cotton swabs, taking care not to puncture the surface.
• To clean the plastic sections on your AirPods, wipe them with a 70 percent isopropyl or 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe (avoid using anything more concentrated). Be sure to avoid the delicate parts of your AirPods, such as the mesh and ear cushions.
• For any leftover grime, try using a toothpick to gently wipe it out. Be very careful, as it’s extremely easy for a sharp surface such as a toothpick to puncture the mesh on your AirPods.
• If it’s been a few years since you’ve cleaned your AirPods, or they’re especially dirty for another reason, you might need to spend a little extra time cleaning them. Lightly wet a microfiber cloth and gently scrub them, but remember to never submerge your AirPods in water.

Keep your AirPods squeaky clean

Keeping your AirPods as clean as possible will increase their longevity, keep them looking new, and help them produce the best sound possible–not to mention, clean AirPods are important for keeping your ears healthy too! Dirt, grime, and sweat are never good, so be sure to follow these cleaning tips to keep them as squeaky clean as the day you bought them.

Lastly, another way to keep your AirPods around for a long time is to invest in product protection. With an extended warranty plan, you’ll have peace of mind in the event that something happens to your AirPods. Be sure to install Mulberry’s free browser extension to get alerts about great deals on product protection!