Like any gadget, your AirPods can accumulate dirt and bacteria, which can affect their performance and cause irritation or infection in your ears. But how do you clean your small earbuds or the fabric-covered, over-ear AirPods Max? If you’re worried about potential damage, we’re here to help you safely rid your headphones of germs.

The first thing you can do is a bit of prevention. It may seem counterproductive, but a simple third-party strap will make them less likely to bounce onto a dirty floor or puddle. You can find all sorts of styles, from simple silicone to glitzy gold. When your AirPods Max aren’t in use, stash them in their case instead of leaving them out or letting them go loose in a bag.

Tips to Clean Your Dirty AirPods and Wireless Earbuds

Products to Use—and Avoid

The list of materials needed to keep your AirPods clean is pretty simple: lint-free cloths, cotton swabs, and a bit of water will do the job in most instances. For third- and fourth-generation AirPods, Apple recommends micellar water (yes, the same kind you use for your face), distilled water, and a soft bristle brush or, alternatively, purchasing the Belkin AirPods Cleaning Kit.

Prior to the pandemic, Apple only recommended water and lint-free cloths for cleaning most of its products. Now it says it’s OK to use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior parts of your AirPods. But you should avoid using such wipes on the knit mesh or ear cushion parts of the AirPods Max and on the mesh of the third- and fourth-generation AirPods.

Do not use bleach or anything with hydrogen peroxide to clean any type of AirPods.

Upkeep

Apple’s $19 Polishing Cloth is a nice way to clean your AirPods, but any lint-free cloth will do (Credit: Sascha Segan)

Maintenance is key to extending the life of your AirPods. For basic upkeep, clean AirPods with a dry, lint-free cloth. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or fancy like the $19 Polishing Cloth that Apple sells. You can go over any microphone and speaker mesh with a dry cotton swab.

A Deeper Clean

If your AirPods are gunked up with something like lotion or food (it happens), or have stood up to a lot of sweat, take a lint-free cloth dampened with a bit of water and give them a light rubdown. Dry them off with a lint-free cloth and then let them sit out a bit before you put them back in the case. If earwax is still present, hold your AirPods with the mesh facing toward the ground and go over the mesh lightly with a dry cotton swab.

(Credit: Apple)

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Apple has guidance on how to thoroughly clean the third- and fourth-generation AirPods, particularly the mesh. It recommends micellar water, distilled water, and a soft bristle brush (a children’s toothbrush will do). Make sure the micellar water contains PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides in its ingredients list.

Add some micellar water to a cup and dip the brush in it until it coats all of the bristles. Go over each bit of the mesh in a circular direction for about 15 seconds. Then blot the mesh directly on a paper towel. Do this three times. Then rinse the brush in distilled water and go over all of the mesh in a circular pattern again for 15 seconds. Blot all of the mesh again and let your AirPods dry for at least two hours before using them or putting them back into the charging case.

The AirPods Pro have an ear tip, so if you want a more thorough cleaning, remove the tips and rinse them with water. If there is earwax or anything else still stuck to them, use a dampened cotton swab to remove it. Dry the ear tips with a lint-free cloth and don’t put them back on until they’re thoroughly dry.

For the AirPods Max, a good cleaning involves wiping them down with a slightly dampened lint-free cloth and then a dry one. Because the AirPods Max are headphones, there’s more surface area for them to attract dirt. If the cushions and headband look or feel grimy, you can give them a bit of a wash. Remove the ear cushions first to clean them separately. Then, combine a teaspoon of mild detergent with a cup of water and use a lint-free cloth to wipe the band and cushions down with the solution. Follow that with a wipe of just water on a cloth, and then dry all the components completely.

A Case for Cleaning Your Cases

Since your AirPods are often sitting in their case, you want to keep that clean, too. You can use a clean, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or an alcohol wipe if the case really needs it. Make sure the case is completely dry before you put your AirPods back in. You would do well to turn the case upside down while it dries.

Finally, for taking care of your AirPods and beyond, see our five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones. And make sure to avoid the eight ways you’re using your headphones wrong.

About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

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