Do the headphones look gross? Here's the best way to clean them - Gizmodo Australia

Your wireless headphones probably spend a lot of time in your ears, and that's no offense, but your ears aren't always the best place to be. You can practice good hygiene, make your headphones last longer, and prevent anyone who sees them from getting upset by cleaning them regularly.

We're specifically focusing on the AirPods , Galaxy Buds , and Pixel Buds here because they're three of the most popular and because Apple, Samsung, and Google have published official guides to keeping them clean. If you have other wireless headphones, most of the same techniques and instructions should apply.

How to clean your AirPods

Image: apple

Apple's official advice on cleaning your AirPods (and AirPods Pro) is to avoid water on them. Instead, use a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water and then a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to ensure no moisture is left in the area. Make sure your AirPods are completely dry before putting them back in their charging case.

You can use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox wipes to clean Apple headphones. Clean gently, avoiding speaker grilles, and don't use anything that contains bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Again, keep moisture to a minimum and away from the AirPods vents.

According to Apple, the best tool for cleaning the microphone and speaker mesh is a dry cotton swab; Sharp objects that can cause damage should be avoided. The tips can be rinsed with water after removing them from the AirPods, but avoid soap and household detergents and dry them immediately afterwards (and make sure they're dry before putting them on).

When it comes to your AirPods charging case, the same soft, dry, lint-free cloth we mentioned above is better. You can dampen it lightly with isopropyl alcohol if you'd like, but don't get any liquid inside the charging ports or they may corrode. Use a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush on the Lightning connector and make sure the case is completely dry before replacing the AirPods.

How to clean your Galaxy Buds

Photo: Samsung

Samsung's guide to cleaning your Galaxy Buds is pretty comprehensive. As with AirPods, Samsung recommends wiping the earbuds' charging contacts with a clean, soft cloth if they become sweaty or covered with any other liquid. If moisture collects on the charging contacts, it can cause corrosion.

Samsung makes a variety of Galaxy Buds, but they all clean more or less the same way. Disassembly comes first: remove the tip of the earphone by gently sliding it without using force. If you have a pair of Galaxy Buds Live earbuds, you'll need to remove the wingtips (the little rubber bands around the charging contacts).

Next, you should slowly and gently run a cotton swab and a dry brush over the headphones and earbuds (or wingtips), making sure to remove any debris, earwax, oil, and other debris. Samsung warns against using wire or metal brushes as the bristles could cause damage. If your headphones have air ducts, clean those as well.

You can use a soft, dry cloth to clean the insides of the earbuds, and again you need to be methodical and careful - it's all about cleaning the inside, not adding anything. Also, don't forget the charging case and charging case contacts. Finally, you can put your freshly cleaned Galaxy Buds back together and keep listening.

How to clean your Pixel Buds

Image: Google

Google has official tips on how to clean your Pixel Buds (or Pixel Buds A) and leave them as fresh and clean as the day you bought them. Although they are water and sweat resistant, you should avoid submerging the headphones in liquids or submerging them under running water as this can damage the material. Chemical detergents, powders and other chemical agents (such as alcohol or benzene) should also be avoided.

Instead, Google recommends a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to clean the earbuds and the included charging case. For scuffs and built-up dirt, you can dampen the cloth or use a slightly damp cotton swab, but it's important not to apply too much moisture, especially near the headphone vents.

A soft-bristled toothbrush is another Google-recommended tool you can use for microphone vents and speaker vents. Move the bristles in and out instead of side to side to ensure you get the material out of the holes rather than just spreading it out.

Again, make sure everything is completely dry before putting the earbuds back into the charging case. For Google Pixel Buds, you can watch a short video to make sure you're doing it right.

This article has been updated since it was first published.

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