How to Clean Earbuds Safely

To clean earbuds safely you only need a soft dry toothbrush, cotton buds, a lint-free cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol (70%). The golden rules: never run water through the speaker mesh, never push sharp objects into the holes, and always let everything dry before charging. A clean earbud often sounds louder and clearer straight away.

What you need

• A soft, dry toothbrush (new, or a clean child's toothbrush).
• Cotton buds (cotton swabs).
• A microfibre or other lint-free cloth.
• Isopropyl alcohol, 70% (optional, for the outside and the tips).
• Mild soapy water – only for removable silicone tips.
• A wooden toothpick or a small piece of putty-style adhesive for the charging case (optional).

Step 1: Remove the ear tips

Gently pull the silicone or foam tips off the nozzle. Hold the tip at its base, not the edge, so it does not tear. AirPods and other earbuds without tips skip this step.

Step 2: Wash the silicone tips

Rinse silicone tips in warm water with a drop of mild soap, rub them between your fingers, rinse and let them dry completely on a towel. Foam tips should not be soaked – wipe them with a slightly damp cloth instead, and replace them every few months because foam wears out.

Step 3: Brush the speaker mesh

This is where wax collects and makes earbuds sound quiet or muffled.

1. Hold the earbud with the mesh facing down, so loosened dirt falls out instead of going in.
2. Brush the mesh gently with the dry toothbrush in small circles.
3. For stubborn wax, dip the very tip of a cotton bud in isopropyl alcohol, squeeze out the excess so it is barely damp, and dab the mesh. Never let liquid run into the earbud.
4. Use a dry cotton bud to finish and let it dry for a few minutes.

Step 4: Wipe the outside

Wipe the body with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Avoid the microphone openings and the speaker mesh. Dry with a clean part of the cloth.

Step 5: Clean the charging case

Dirty charging contacts are a common reason one earbud stops charging. Wipe the metal contacts on the earbuds and inside the case with a dry cotton bud. Use a wooden toothpick to lift lint out of corners, and a soft brush or putty-style adhesive for the case interior. Keep liquids out of the case and the charging port.

Step 6: Reassemble and test

When everything is completely dry, put the tips back on, place the earbuds in the case and let them charge. Then play our headphone test: both sides should now sound equally loud and clear.

How to clean AirPods

Apple recommends cleaning AirPods with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, cleaning the microphone and speaker meshes with a dry cotton swab, and removing debris with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush. You can also lightly dampen a cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol for the outside. Do not run AirPods under water or use sharp objects. For AirPods Pro, the ear tips can be removed and rinsed with water only, then dried completely before reattaching.

What not to do

• No running water on the earbud itself, even if it is "water resistant".
• No needles, pins or paper clips in the mesh – they tear it and push wax deeper.
• No hydrogen peroxide or harsh cleaners on the earbuds – they can damage coatings and glue.
• No compressed air straight into the mesh, which can damage the speaker membrane.
• Do not charge while wet.

How often should you clean earbuds?

Wipe the outside and tips once a week if you use them daily, and do a full clean of the mesh about once a month. Clean them after workouts more often, because sweat and earwax build up faster. Do not share earbuds without cleaning the tips first.

Still sounds quiet after cleaning?

Check the balance setting and mono audio, reset and re-pair the earbuds, and see our guide to one earbud not working. If the volume is generally low, read how to make headphones louder.

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