Your Dirty AirPods Case May Prevent Your AirPods From Charging—How to Clean It ASAP by Rabekah Henderson

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AirPods are a convenient way to listen to music, take calls, and block out noise while on the go. But over time, all that time those earbuds spend in our ears—and all that time their cases spend in our messy bags—can lead to some fairly dirty headphones.

Cleaning your AirPods and their case keeps them working well for many playlists, podcasts, and work calls to come.

Here’s how to clean these earbuds quickly, easily, and without damaging them.

How to Clean Your Airpod Case

It doesn’t take long to clean an AirPod case, and you won’t need many supplies either. To clean your AirPod case, you’ll need a few lint-free cloths and cotton swabs, and you’ll also be using some rubbing alcohol.

Take Out Your AirPods. Before you clean your case, take the AirPods out of it—you don’t want to damage them when cleaning.Wipe Down The Case. Use a small lint-free cloth (like the kind you’d use to clean a pair of glasses) to wipe down the inside and outside of the case.Clean Nooks and Crannies. Place a cotton swab on top of the cloth and use it to press the cloth into tight corners where dirt and dust like to hide.Spot Treat Dust and Dirt. If your case still has some stuck-on dirt on it, pour rubbing alcohol into a small dish. Dip a cotton swab into it, then rub the swab over the dirt. Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth.

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How to Clean Airpods

You’ll need to be a bit more cautious when cleaning AirPods—liquid that gets into the headphones’ speaker mesh or microphone can damage them, so avoid letting any moisture get into these areas. You’ll need a lint-free cloth or two, some cotton swabs, and a little bit of water.

Start By Wiping. Take a lint-free cloth (make sure it’s clean—don’t reuse the one you used to clean the AirPods case) and use it to wipe away any surface-level dust and grime on the headphones.Clean With Cotton Swabs. Use a cotton swab to wipe down the mesh on the AirPods’ speakers and mic. Do not use anything abrasive here, as it could tear the mesh.Deal With Stains. If your AirPods are stained (this can happen when they’re exposed to sweat, shampoo, sunscreen, or perfume), rub the stained area with a damp cloth. Avoid getting water on any areas with mesh.Let Them Dry. Use another lint-free cloth to dry your AirPods. Make sure they’re bone-dry before placing them back in their case.

How Often to Clean

AirPods should be wiped down with a cloth monthly—this will prevent wax, dust, and dirt from building up over time. Both the case and the AirPods should be deep cleaned every six months with a little bit of rubbing alcohol or water.

Your AirPods can be cleaned less frequently if they’re rarely used. However, if they’re used fairly often when running or during other high-intensity, sweat-heavy exercises, they’ll need to be cleaned more regularly.

How To Keep Airpods Clean Longer

Don’t let all your hard work cleaning your earbuds go to waste. Here’s how to keep them clean longer.

Don’t store your headphones case-less. Dumping your AirPods into the abyss of a handbag or purse without the protection of a case leaves them vulnerable to scratches, damage, and getting lost.Watch where you place your case. In a similar vein, try to place your AirPod case inside a pocket or a pouch, rather than tossing it into the bottom of a backpack. This will help them avoid getting so scuffed or scratched from laptops, wallets, or cell phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you clean AirPod cases with nail polish remover?

Don’t use nail polish remover to clean an AirPod case. Nail polish remover has acetone in it, which can damage the glossy finish of the case. Instead, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol to spot treat any stuck-on dirt or grime.

Can you clean your AirPod case with water?

Yes, you can use a little bit of water to clean your AirPod case. Use a damp cloth to rub away any dust or scuffs, but be sure to avoid getting water on the charging points of the case.

Read the original article on The Spruce.

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