How to Clean Your Earbuds

In healthy ears, earwax traps dirt and debris and then moves it out of our ear canals on its way out through the outer ear. When you use earbuds, they block this natural process, pushing earwax back into the ear canal where it can clog your ears. This can lead to painful, itchy ear canals and reduced audio quality. Earbuds are also a magnet for germs, particularly if you share them or store them in a sweaty environment like your gym bag or pocket.

To prevent the onset of earwax build-up, listen to music through your earbuds with the tips extended outward instead of in. A simple routine of cleaning and disinfecting can keep your earbuds looking and sounding as good as new for much longer than you might expect.

Start by rinsing your earbuds in a solution of one part dishwashing liquid to five parts lukewarm water. Leave them to soak in the solution for about 30 minutes. Use a cotton swab to remove any visible wax or gunk from the earbud tips, then rinse them and let them dry on a lint-free cloth. If your earbuds come with silicone, foam, or other type of tips, remove them and allow them to air-dry separately from the earbud housing.

Next, clean the mesh screen that covers the earbuds’ sound-producing drivers with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol). This will help get rid of any gunk or grime that might be diminishing the audio performance. Be sure to scrub around the earbud’s outer housing as well, including the charging port and any other nooks and crannies.

If you have a soft toothbrush on hand, use it to brush away any remaining wax or gunk from the earbuds’ ear pads and around their mesh cover. Finally, wipe down the earbuds and their case with a lint-free cloth. This should be done on a regular basis, especially if you use your earbuds while working out at the gym or for other sweaty activities.

When the earbuds are fully dry, put them back in their case and make sure to close it properly. This keeps the earbuds safe from further moisture and germs until you’re ready to use them again.

Earbuds are the perfect companion for a workout, but they’re also a source of potential trouble if you don’t regularly clean them. By following these steps, you can give your earbuds a thorough cleaning and extend their lifespan far beyond what you’d expect from a cheap pair of wireless buds. Keeping them clean can also help prevent lint, dust, and other small particles from building up inside their case and in your ear canals, making them less susceptible to decreased audio quality and eventual breakage. Brad Moon has covered Apple products, audio gear, and consumer tech for nine years at Forbes. He lives in Brooklyn and is the author of several books about entrepreneurship. Follow him on Twitter @BradMoonNYC.