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How to clean AirPods

Cleaned airpods along with earbuds and headphones. 

Overview

If you’ve owned your AirPods for a while and haven’t given them a clean, they are probably due for one. AirPods can quickly accumulate dust and dirt, and there are a few tricks to cleaning them without damaging them. We’re sharing this handy guide on how to clean your AirPods and case.

Tools and materials

Tools

  • Toothpick
  • Cotton swab

Materials

Steps

1Why you should clean your Airpods

Experts recommend regularly cleaning and disinfecting ear pieces such as headphones and AirPods. Failing to do so can lead to problems like excess earwax, ear pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and fungal and yeast infections. This is because your AirPods can become a breeding ground for bacteria and build-up from earwax, skin flakes, sweat and beauty products. 

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: We recommend cleaning your AirPods or earphones once a week if you use them regularly.
Showing dirt in airpods using cotton swab.

2Wipe down headphones and case

It’s best to use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth such as a microfibre one. This will be gentle enough on your AirPods and case, but sturdy enough to give it a good clean. Take the microfibre cloth and carefully wipe down the exterior of your AirPods case, as well as each earpiece.
Wiping down the airpods case using microfibre cloth.

3Remove dirt and earwax

Next, we’ll move on to some detail-work; you’ll need a few cotton swabs on hand for this. 

Take a dry cotton swab and softly and gently clear out any debris out of the seams of the AirPods and earpiece where the sound comes out. Next, gently clear any earwax or dirt in each of the small openings on the outside of the AirPod. Lastly, open up the case and gently clean around any areas that have any accumulated dust and dirt.

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Be extra careful around the speaker mesh, buttons and other fragile components of the AirPods and case to prevent damage.
Removing dirt and earwax from airpods using cotton swab. 

4Spray isopropyl alcohol

If you have any stubborn dirt on your case that won’t come off, try spraying the end of a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and scrub the case gently. If you can’t remove all of it with a swab, try using a toothpick to carefully scrape dry earwax out of the earbud or case. Make sure to avoid any contact with the mesh screen or lighting ports, as these are very fragile. 

Wait for the AirPods to dry completely before placing them back into their charging case.

And there you have it: freshly cleaned AirPods ready for wearing.

Cleaning airpods with toothpick after spraying it with isopropyl alcohol.

5Out of cleaning basics at home?

Head in-store to find everything you’ll need to keep your AirPods sparkling clean - and much more. Ask one of our friendly Team Members about our wide range of standard cleaning supplies today.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.