How to Clean Earbuds: Step-by-Step Guide

Keeping your earbuds clean helps maintain sound quality and hygiene. They can get dirty from gym workouts, walking outside, or even cooking at home.  This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to clean earbuds the right way.

Why You Should Clean Your Earbuds Regularly

Keeping your earbuds clean is important for both hygiene and optimal performance. Regular maintenance helps them stay in good condition and ensures a better listening experience.

• Prevent earwax and bacteria build-up

• Maintain sound quality and performance

• Extend the lifespan of your earbuds

What to Prepare before Cleaning Earbuds

Gather Essential Cleaning Tools

First gather together a microfiber cloth, a soft-bristle brush, a toothpick, and mild disinfectant or alcohol-free screen cleaner.

Power off and Disconnect Your Earbuds

Power off your earbuds completely before cleaning. For wireless headphones, place them in the charging case, then remove and disconnect. 

Place Earbuds on a Clean, Static-Free Surface

Spread out your cleaning cloth on a flat surface. This provides a clean, well-lit area to work.  The cloth ensures no small parts roll away or get contaminated by surface dust.

How Do You Clean Earbuds: Four Steps

Once you have everything prepared, follow this methodical four-step process.

Wipe Down Earbud Exteriors

Begin cleaning earbuds by gently wiping the surface with a dry microfiber cloth. Remove sweat and dirt. If needed, slightly dampen the cloth.  Never spray liquid directly on earbuds.

Clean the Speaker Mesh

Use a small, clean, soft-bristle brush to loosen earwax and debris. Brush outward from the mesh. If something is stuck, use a toothpick carefully without puncturing or pushing debris deeper.

Clean the Earbud Case Interior

Wipe off dust and lint on the case with a dry cotton swab. A gentle compressed-air burst can also help clear debris from ports and pins.

Leave to Air Dry

After cleaning, leave the earbuds and case open for at least 15–30 minutes to air dry completely.  Make sure earbuds are dry before using. 

It’s worth considering models that are made with good hygiene and convenience in mind.  This will help make your routine care much simpler.

5 Earbuds That Are Easy to Clean and Maintain

Choosing the right kind of headphone can significantly reduce your maintenance. Bone conduction and open-ear designs, for example, eliminate the issue of trapped earwax.  This is because they never enter the ear canal.

OpenRun Pro 2

OpenRun Pro 2 features an open-ear bone conduction design that rests gently outside your ear canal.  This ensures exceptional breathability and hygiene. Its secure, comfortable fit makes it the perfect choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Bone conduction and air conduction deliver immersive 3D sound
• 6 preset EQ modes for a personalized listening experience
• Open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings
• IP55 water-resistant, sweatproof, and easy to clean

OPENFIT AIR

These are open-ear true wireless earbuds that rest outside the ear canal. They are sweat-resistant and simple to wipe clean with just a cloth. Shokz OPENFIT AIR combines a lightweight ear-hook design with bone conduction technology. It is an ideal companion for both work and everyday life.

Key Features

• Composite drivers deliver immersive sound with deep bass.
• Ergonomic dual-angle design ensures a comfortable, secure fit.
• Leak-resistant structure keeps your audio private.
• Advanced voice capture technology delivers crystal-clear calls.

OpenDots ONE

Shokz OpenDots ONE features a refined, compact clip-on design. that complements your style while delivering immersive sound. These are powered by Shokz Bassphere™ Technology and deliver immersive sound.  These small earbuds are so comfortable you may forget you have them on. 

Key Features

• Ultra-light at just 6.5g for effortless, all-day comfort.
• The charging case provides up to 40 hours of total playtime.
• Qi wireless fast charging keeps you ready for your next listen.
• IP54 water resistance allows easy cleaning with a damp cloth.

OPENSWIM PRO

Shokz OpenSwim Pro boasts an impressive IP68 waterproof rating.  Thus cleaning with a damp cloth is no problem.  Enjoy 9 hours of Bluetooth playtime or 6 hours in MP3 mode for uninterrupted underwater listening.

Key Features

• Open-ear design reduces dirt buildup and minimizes ear fatigue.
• Ergonomic fit ensures secure wear during any activity.
• ENC and DNS dual noise-cancellation block background noise and echo.
• PremiumPitch™ 2.0+ bone conduction delivers rich, clear sound.

OPENMOVE

Shokz OpenMove is a budget-friendly open-ear bone conduction headphone offering impressive value. They have an IP55 water-resistant rating, and are easy to clean.  They are perfect for everyday use, at work or outdoor activities. 

Key Features

• 7th-generation bone conduction delivers immersive music and audiobook experiences.
• Lightweight design ensures long-lasting comfort.
• With 6 hours of battery life, they’re ideal for both daily routines and workouts.
• Open-ear design keeps you aware of your surroundings.

Tips for Maintaining Your Headphones

Mastering how to clean earbuds is important, but storing and maintaining wireless earbuds properly is also essential for long-term use. 

Clean Regularly Based on Use Frequency

For daily use, wipe earbuds every few days and deep clean weekly. Occasional users can clean monthly to maintain sound quality and prevent bacteria buildup.

Store Earbuds Properly in a Dry Case

Always keep earbuds in their charging case to avoid dust, lint, or impact damage. Ensure they’re completely dry before storage to prevent moisture-related issues.

Replace Ear Tips When Needed

Silicone or foam tips wear out and trap bacteria over time. Replace them every few months, especially with frequent use.  This will keep earbuds hygienic and effective.

FAQ

How often do you need to clean headphones?

For heavy, daily users, especially athletes, wipe-down after every use.  A deep clean is recommended once a week. For moderate use, a deep clean every two weeks to a month is adequate.

What should I clean my headphones with?

Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth, a new soft-bristle brush on the mesh.  For stubborn solids build up, use a wooden toothpick. For moisture, use water or a mild, non-alcoholic cleaning solution sparingly on the cloth.

How to remove earwax from headphones?

Use a small, soft-bristle brush to gently sweep the wax away from the mesh. For hardened wax, use the tip of a wooden toothpick to gently pick the debris out of the grille.  Be very careful not to push any solids through.

Does rubbing alcohol clean headphones?

Alcohol is a good disinfectant but it should be used with caution. High concentrations of rubbing alcohol can degrade plastics, rubber, and the protective coating on some materials. 

What's the best way to clean earbuds?

The best way to clean is a combination of gentle dry brushing, and a soft cloth.  If hardened wax remains, carefully pick off with a toothpick. Then wipe off entire earbud with a dry or slightly dampened microfiber cloth. Then let air dry before using. The key is patience and gentleness.

Conclusion

Keeping your earbuds clean is the secret to long-lasting performance and crystal-clear sound. Follow this simple guide on how to clean earbuds and you’ll extend their life, and protect your ears.