Earwax in the mesh, dust in the charging case, marks on the stem: over time, all AirPods get dirty. This can muffle the sound and interfere with charging. When you clean AirPods, the main rule is: no liquid in the openings and nothing sharp. Here’s how to clean your AirPods, ear tips and case safely.
What you need
- a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, for example a glasses cleaning cloth
- dry cotton buds
- a soft, dry brush, for example a children’s toothbrush with soft bristles
What you shouldn’t do
- Don’t get any liquid in the meshes, microphone openings or charging port.
- Don’t hold the AirPods under water.
- Don’t use sharp objects such as needles, toothpicks or paper clips.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners, soap or household cleaners.
- Don’t put damp AirPods in the case.
Cleaning AirPods: meshes and earwax
- Wipe the outside of the AirPods with the dry cloth.
- Hold an AirPod so that the speaker mesh faces down. Carefully brush out the mesh with the soft, dry brush. This way, loosened dirt falls out instead of slipping further in.
- Dab off any residue with a dry cotton bud. Don’t press hard on the mesh.
- Clean the small microphone openings just as carefully.
For AirPods 3, 4 and 5 and AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3, Apple describes a more thorough cleaning of the meshes: with a soft children’s toothbrush, micellar water containing PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides and then distilled water. If you want to do this, follow Apple’s instructions “How to clean your AirPods” or “How to clean your AirPods Pro” exactly. Afterwards, the AirPods need to dry for at least two hours before they can go back in the case. Apple doesn’t mention this method for older models, so stick to dry cleaning for those.
Cleaning the ear tips of AirPods Pro
- Pull off the ear tips. Hold them where they attach to the AirPod and pull them straight off. A dry cloth helps if they’re slippery.
- Rinse only the ear tips with clean water, without soap or cleaner.
- Dry them with the lint-free cloth and let them dry completely.
- In the meantime, clean the mesh under the ear tip, dry, as described above.
- Put the ear tips back on. The connector is oval, so pay attention to the direction. Press until you feel them click into place.
Ear tips only fit their own generation. How to change them and find the right size is explained in the guide Change AirPods Pro ear tips.
Cleaning the charging case
- Outside: wipe the case with the soft, dry cloth. According to Apple, you can dampen the cloth slightly with isopropyl alcohol if necessary. Then let the case dry.
- Inside: clean the recesses and the contacts the AirPods sit on with a dry cotton bud or the dry cloth. Clean contacts are important so that the AirPods charge.
- Charging port: remove lint and crumbs with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush. Don’t put anything in the port that could damage the contacts.
After sport, sunscreen or make-up
Sweat, sunscreen, lotion, soap or perfume can cause stains and irritate your skin. In that case, wipe the AirPods with a cloth slightly dampened with clean water and dry them straight away with a lint-free cloth. Let them dry for at least two hours before you put them in the case. If the AirPods got really wet, see the guide AirPods got wet?
How often should you clean them?
There’s no fixed rule. A quick dry wipe after sport or once a week does no harm. Clean them thoroughly as soon as you see dirt or earwax on the meshes or the sound becomes duller.
One AirPod still sounds quiet after cleaning?
Then check the balance on your iPhone and the other tips in the guide One AirPod quiet or not working? If an AirPod is faulty, you only replace that side. At Lostpod, you can get the left or right AirPod and the charging case individually, as a genuine replacement part.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get earwax out of AirPods?
Brush out the mesh with a soft, dry brush while it’s facing down, and dab off any residue with a dry cotton bud. Never use a needle or a toothpick. For newer models, Apple also describes cleaning with micellar water.
How do I clean the contacts in the AirPods case?
With a dry cotton bud or a dry, lint-free cloth. Don’t use any liquid or sharp objects. Also clean the contacts on the bottom of the AirPods.
Can I clean AirPods with alcohol?
For the charging case, Apple mentions a cloth slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. For the AirPods themselves, Apple doesn’t mention alcohol. A dry cloth is enough there or, after contact with cream or soap, a cloth with a little clean water.
How do I clean AirPods Pro?
First remove the ear tips and rinse them with clean water. Clean the AirPods themselves and the meshes dry, as described above. Only put the ear tips back on once they’re completely dry.
