Are you worried about your gross-looking earbuds, but you do not know how to clean them? Cleaning earbuds is not rocket science. You can clean your earbuds by using simple methods. People enjoy music, podcast, and audiobook without being interrupted by noise and sound with the growing technology. Earbuds are an essential tool for this modern world. Earbuds are made with plastic and come in several designs and fit according to the shape of your ear.
Earbuds mostly fit outside of your ear. If you are an extrovert person and want to connect with the outer world while listening to music, these tools are for you. As earbuds rest outside of your ear, you can hear clearly what the other person is saying. According to research, the ear wax in our ears is vital for fighting bacteria. It does not let bacteria and other microorganisms pass through the ear. Earwax can be good for you, but it is not suitable for your earbuds. Earbuds produce heat that traps the earwax.
When the ear wax gets in the earbud, you feel like not catching the complete lyrics of the song. Not cleaning your earbuds can make them gross, and eventually, it will damage the proficiency of your earbuds. If you face the same issue, just read this article until the end, so you will know how to clean your earbuds with little effort to make your earbuds last longer. In case you are looking for cheap earbuds under 50 dollars, check our linked guide.
How To Clean Earbuds
Like cleanliness is crucial for every device, your earbuds come in the same row. Earbuds are an essential tool as any other device that needs your attention. You clean your laptop, computer devices, and other electronic devices, same as that you should clean your earbuds to avoid bacterial accumulation and dirt. There are several steps that you must follow in cleaning your earbud effortlessly.
Things You Need
For cleaning your earbuds, you need soap water. Soap water is best for cleaning tools. Make sure you don’t put water in your earbuds. It is best to use dish wash soap than hand soap. You need a soft microfibre cloth. You can also use alcohol wipes instead. The soft material is used to avoid scratches on your device. It is a cleaning tool that is having a moisture-wick property.
You will need a specially designed cleaning tool for your earbud that will help remove the dirt and embedded ear wax. You will need cotton buds that will help you reach the tiny areas easily. Isopropyl Alcohol is required to clean your earbuds as it is used as a disinfectant that will help your earbuds in cleaning and protect them from bacteria. Silicon gel is used to make your earbuds dry and less humid.
Disconnect All The Devices
It is essential that before you start cleaning your earbuds, disconnect them. Earbuds are connected via phone or any other device. Unplugging your earbuds will help you protect from electric shock. It will also help your device from getting zapped. Do not dip your earbuds in the water. Avoid getting a splash of water on your earbuds while it is connected to your device.
Damage Assessment
Assess the damage to earbuds, which part you are supposed to clean. Mainly the outer part covers more dirt and earwax as it comes in direct contact with an ear. While assessing your earbuds, remove the silicone foam (ear tip) to view your earbuds more accurately. Mesh grille is the most sensitive part of cleaning if ear wax is accumulated here. Carefully clean this part because it is not recommended to scrub this area.
Using Soft Microfibre Cloth or Cotton Swab
If your earbuds do not have silicon foam, you don’t have to use soap, water, or any other liquid because it will damage your earbud’s efficiency if, by mistake, any splash gets into it. As this earbud is a discreet earpiece, water can damage it. Instead, use a soft microfibre cloth to clean these single-piece earbuds. Simply tap soft cloth on your earbuds or use dry cotton swabs. It will help to protect the water entrance in your earbuds. Make sure you let your earbuds completely dry before using them or putting them in a case.
Using Soap Water
Soap water is best for cleaning the outer case of your earbuds. For a wired earbud, you can also clean the wiring of the earbud with soap water. Soap water act as a cleaner that will remove the dirt and wax from the outer part of your wireless earbuds. Make the solution of soapy water by putting a tiny amount of soap in the water. Mix it well, and then dip the soft microfibre cloth in the soap water mixture. Remove the excess water from the cloth.
Check the fabric to avoid dripping of water and clean the outer casing and wiring of your earbuds. We do not recommend using this soft cloth on the mesh grilles to clean the dirt of earbuds. If any water drops get in them, it will damage your earbuds and result in losing your favorite pair of earbuds. Dry it entirely for one or two hours before using it or putting it in an earbud case. Ensure you put your earbuds in the correct position so a drop of water from the outer part does not get in.
Using Isopropyl Alcohol
Cleaning your earbuds with isopropyl Alcohol instead of soap water is yet another simple technique. As isopropyl alcohol is a cleaning agent and it works more efficiently than soap water. The procedure is the same as soap water. Dip a cotton swab in the Isopropyl Alcohol. Make sure to dry it out, so the excess of Alcohol is dried. Use this cotton swab to clean the gunk and wax on the earbuds.
Do not use the cotton swab inside of the earbuds. As there may be a chance of cotton strands being trapped inside, that will make it impossible to clean your earbuds in the long run. It will also affect the audio quality of your favorite pair of earbuds. Let your earbuds completely dry before use.
Using Toothbrush
To clean the most sensitive part of earbuds like mesh grille, you need a toothbrush made with nylon bristles. Nylon is an anti-static material that does not conduct electricity, so it is now used in every toothbrush. It will not get stuck in your earbuds while cleaning. So take a toothbrush and clean the mesh grille and apply gentle circular motion. Avoid doing it with hard hands, as it may let the dirt stuck inside of your earbuds instead of coming out.
Cleaning Silicone Ear Tips
If you are using earbuds with silicone ear tips, you can clean these ear tips by simple methods as these silicone ear tips are removable parts, so you need to be careful while removing them. Cleaning silicone ear tips need a soft cloth and soap water. You can also use a cotton swab instead of a soft cloth. Make a solution of soap water. Dip the soft cloth and wipe the wax or gunk off the silicone ear tip. The procedure of cleaning is the same for any removable silicone part. Try not to misplace silicone ear tips.
If you are using a new model of earbuds that come with foam ear tips, they are hard to clean because they are disposable. The manufacturer guide tells you that you can not use them again. They are not meant to clean. You have to throw these foam ear tips once you realize that the dirt is accumulated in them. You can get a new pair of foam ear tips as they are not much expensive.
Cleaning Wireless Earbuds
Wireless earbuds have gained popularity in the past few years because of their wire-free and more impressive features. If you have wireless earbuds, then cleaning them needs the same tricks that are discussed above, make sure not to dip these earbuds in the water. Wireless earbuds come with a water-resistant feature, but it is still not recommended to submerge them in water. The use of a toothbrush and adhesive putty will help you clean the wax off your wireless earbuds.
Cleaning Charging Case And Connectors
The cleaning charging case is crucial as you store your earbuds in the charging case. So you should take care of the case regularly. It is recommended to clean the case, and connectors with a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped with Isopropyl Alcohol. You may sometimes feel that your earbuds are not charging correctly. Look for the possible reasons. Earbuds are charged with metal pads or small pins, so it is equally likely that the gunk or earwax get caught in the charging area. Clean the connectors regularly.
Cleaning The Earbuds After An Exercise
It is necessary to clean your earbuds after every workout or exercise because sweat drops may get in, which will damage your earbuds or may short them. Dry your earbuds after every workout before placing them in a charging case. Most wireless earbuds are waterproof, but you still need to take care of drying your earbuds. Wiping your earbuds after every use will make them durable and more efficient.
If you do not have time to dry your earbuds and you want to take them out, shake your earbuds, so the excess moisture comes out. Turn off the power and put them in the charging case. On reaching home, wipe and completely dry your earbuds. Do not put your earbuds in your pocket or shorts after the gym because it can capture sweat drops or moisture and damage your earbuds. Always put your earbuds in a case or any zipped bag to avoid moisture getting in them. In case you are looking for new buds, here are some excellent earphones for working out.
When To Clean Your Earbuds
The cleaning of earbuds depends upon the frequency in which you are using them. If your earbuds frequently come in contact with your ear, it means you have to clean your earbuds every week. If you use your earbuds occasionally, clean your earbuds once a week. If you are using your earbuds daily at the gym, you need to wipe off the sweat and dirt right after the use.
Observe the condition of your earbuds. When you notice any dirt, earwax, or gunk, clean them immediately with these simple methods. Regular cleaning of your earbuds will keep them last longer and work properly. It will also make you happy while using clean earbuds at your workplace or gym. Make sure to completely dry them before using them again to avoid damage to your earbuds.
FAQs
How to clean your earbud’s silicon ear tips?
Remove the ear tips carefully. Make a solution of soap water by adding one part of soap and two parts of water. Dip your silicone ear tips in the soap water for few minutes. Take a cotton swab, dip it in isopropyl alcohol, and wipe the dirt or gunk off these ear tips.
How often should earbuds be clean?
It is a good practice if you clean your earbuds after every use. But as no one has that much time so you can clean your earbuds once a week. It totally depends upon your usage. If you use earbuds too much, then regular cleaning is necessary for their efficient and long-lasting functioning.
How to clean earwax from your earbuds?
As the earbuds came in close contact with your ear, so it is likely to contract some ear wax. For cleaning ear wax out of your earbud, you need a cotton swab or a soft cloth. Dip the cotton swab or a soft cloth in Alcohol and clean it while rubbing gently on the mesh grille of your earbuds.
Conclusion
In our daily routine, we use earbuds frequently from day to day, listening to music to work. We carry our earbuds with us, so cleaning them accordingly is an efficient earbud need for proper functioning. Earbuds come with wires, but now the new model offers wireless earbuds. Wireless earbuds give you more freedom to move without the stress of messed-up wires. It is necessary to clean your earbuds to hear clear notes of your favorite music. This article will guide you about the easiest methods to clean your earbuds.
