If you think about it, your earbuds are probably pretty gross. They’re inserted into your ear canal and sit there all day, touching earwax, sweat, and dirt. And if they fall on the floor? Grime and bacteria can accumulate, affect their performance, and cause irritation or infection in your ears. Like any gadget, your AirPods need to be cleaned, but how do you sanitize your small earbuds or the fabric-covered, over-ear AirPods Max? If you’re worried about potential damage, you can safely rid your headphones of germs.
Products to Use (and Avoid)
The list of materials needed to keep your AirPods clean is pretty simple: Lint-free cloths, cotton swabs, and a bit of water will do the job in most instances. For third- and fourth-generation AirPods, Apple recommends micellar water (yes, the same kind you use for your face), distilled water, and a soft-bristle brush, or, alternatively, the Belkin AirPods Cleaning Kit.
Apple previously only recommended water and lint-free cloths for cleaning most of its products. Now it says it’s OK to use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior parts of your AirPods. But avoid using such wipes on the knit mesh or ear cushion parts of the AirPods Max, or the mesh of the third- and fourth-gen AirPods.
Do not use abrasive chemicals, such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide, to clean your AirPods, or any other tech for that matter.
Basic Upkeep and Preventative Care
(Credit: PCMag)
Maintenance is key to extending the life of your AirPods. For basic upkeep, clean them with a dry, lint-free cloth. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or fancy like the $19 Polishing Cloth that Apple sells. You can go over any microphone and speaker mesh with a dry cotton swab.
For a bit of preventative care, do what you can to ensure your AirPods don’t fall out of your ears. Apple has tried to ensure that its earbuds actually fit properly, but it’s still an ongoing issue for many. A simple third-party strap will make them less likely to bounce onto a dirty floor. You can find all sorts of styles, from simple silicone to glitzy gold. When your AirPods Max aren’t in use, stash them in their case instead of leaving them out or leaving them loose in a bag.
A Deeper Clean
If your AirPods are gunked up with lotion or wax or have stood up to a lot of sweat, take a lint-free cloth dampened with a bit of water and give them a light rubdown. Dry them off with a lint-free cloth and then let them sit out a bit before you put them back in the case. If earwax is still present, hold your AirPods with the mesh facing toward the ground and go over the mesh lightly with a dry cotton swab.
(Credit: Apple)
Apple has guidance on how to thoroughly clean the third- and fourth-generation AirPods, particularly the mesh. It recommends micellar water, distilled water, and a soft-bristle brush (a children’s toothbrush will do). Make sure the micellar water contains PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides in its ingredients list.
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Add some micellar water to a cup and dip the brush in it until it coats all of the bristles. Go over each bit of the mesh in a circular direction for about 15 seconds. Then blot the mesh directly on a paper towel. Do this three times. Then rinse the brush in distilled water and go over all of the mesh in a circular pattern again for 15 seconds. Blot all of the mesh again and let your AirPods dry for at least two hours before using them or putting them back into the charging case.
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The AirPods Pro have removable ear tips, so if you want a more thorough cleaning, detach the tips and rinse them with water. If there is earwax or anything else still stuck to them, use a dampened cotton swab to remove it. Dry the ear tips with a lint-free cloth and don’t put them back on until they’re thoroughly dry.
For the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2, a good cleaning involves wiping them down with a dampened lint-free cloth and then a dry one. If the cushions and headband get grimy, you can give them a wash. Remove the ear cushions first to clean them separately. Then, combine a teaspoon of mild detergent with a cup of water and use a lint-free cloth to wipe the band and cushions down with the solution. Follow that with a wipe of just water on a cloth, and then dry the components.
A Case for Cleaning Your Case
Since your AirPods are often sitting in their case, you want to keep that clean, too. You can use a clean, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water, or an alcohol wipe if the case really needs it. Just make sure the case is completely dry before you put your AirPods back in. You would do well to turn the case upside down while it dries.
Chandra Steele contributed to this story.
Tips to Clean Your Dirty AirPods and Wireless Earbuds
About Our Expert
Jason Cohen
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As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it’s already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I’m a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I’m probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
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