How to clean your ear buds

In-Ear headphones are available from many brands and in varying shapes. But all products have one thing in common: they get dirty quickly and it is annoying to clean them. We will show you what to do to get them back as new.

Remove dirt and other particles from in-ear headphones

There are several ways in which your headphones can be contaminated. Rubbing jeans, dust, fluff and earwax are just a few examples. But all of these can be easily removed by simple means. With all the cleaning methods listed below, you should be aware that the connections of the headphones should never get wet or damp. Also, you should never use abrasive cleaners. Cleaning is important if the contacts are no longer capable of charging due to contamination. Of course, cleaning the earphones also helps if you simply want to make the gadget shine.

Clean discolorations on the headphones

There are three ways to remove discoloration caused, for example, by jeans, sunscreen, or the like from the earphones or the corresponding case as with the Google Pixel Buds, the AirPods (Pro), or the Galaxy Buds.

1. If the stains are not too severe, you can clean the headphones (or the case) with a damp cloth and then dry them with a microfiber cloth. When doing this, you must make sure that the connections do not get wet or water doesn’t get into the charging box.
2. If this does not yet produce the desired result, you can also clean the headphones with a cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol. Then dry them again immediately with a lint-free cloth. 
3. If you do not have isopropyl alcohol at home, you can use the third option. Use an eraser sponge for this. Rub it lightly over the stain until it is gone.

Remove dust or similar from the headphones

There are a few tricks you can use to free your earphones from dust, lint, or earwax.

• One option to free the headphones and charger box from dust and lint is by compressed air. These compressed air sprays in cans can already be purchased at single-digit prices online or in specialist stores. When you have a spray can at hand, spray lightly into the holes of the case until all contamination is out. You can do the same with the speakers of your headsets.
• Another possibility: to clean the speakers easily with a toothbrush. The best way to do this is with an electric toothbrush. Use a new attachment for the toothbrush and brush slowly through the audio outputs. This way all the dirt should come off and fall out.
• You can also use a cotton swab and use it to enter the sockets of a case or to clean the speakers of the headphones.