How to Clean And Sanitize Your Earbuds And Headphones

Let’s be honest for a second. Your headphones and earbuds have seen better days. They’ve been in your gym bag, on countless commutes, and, well, in your ears. It’s time for a good cleaning.

Don’t worry — this is way easier than it looks. We’re not doing surgery here. In about 10 minutes, we’ll get them looking (and smelling) like new without breaking anything.

 

 

First, Gather Your Supplies

You probably already have everything you need. No fancy kits required. Grab a few simple things before you start your headphone cleaning mission.

You’ll want a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth, some cotton swabs, a bit of mild soap, and a small bowl of warm water. For sanitizing, get some 70% isopropyl alcohol. A soft-bristled brush (like an old toothbrush) is a great bonus tool.

 

 

How to Clean Over-Ear Headphones

Big over-ear cans get grimy on the pads and headband. The key here is to be gentle and avoid soaking anything. Seriously, water is not your friend here.

 

 

Step 1: The Earpads

If your earpads pop off, take them off. It makes life so much easier. For leather or faux leather pads, just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water. For fabric pads, use that same cloth but with a tiny drop of soap in the water. Wring it out well!

Wipe them down again with a cloth dampened with only water to remove any soap residue. Let them air dry completely before reattaching them. I mean completely. Putting damp pads back on is a recipe for a funky smell.

 

 

Step 2: The Headband and Hard Surfaces

The headband gets the same treatment as the earpads. Pay attention to the underside that actually touches your hair and skin. Just a gentle wipe-down will do the trick.

For the plastic or metal parts of the headphones, a simple wipe with your damp microfiber cloth works perfectly. Get into the little grooves and buttons with a dry cotton swab or that soft brush.

 

 

How to Clean Earbuds

Earbuds are a whole different ballgame because they’re small and go right inside your ear. That means earwax. We have to talk about the earwax.

 

 

Step 1: The Silicone Tips

Pop those silicone or foam tips right off the earbuds. Give them a nice little bath in warm, soapy water. You can gently rub them with your fingers to get any gunk off. Rinse them thoroughly and set them on a paper towel to dry completely before you even think about putting them back on.

 

 

Step 2: The Speaker Grille (The Scary Part)

This is where everyone gets nervous. The trick nobody tells you is to clean gunk *out*, not push it *in*. Hold the earbud with the mesh grille facing down so anything you dislodge falls out.

Use a dry, soft toothbrush or a wooden toothpick to gently scrape away any visible debris from the grille. Don’t poke! Just gently brush or pick at the surface. Cleaning putty also works wonders here; just press it on and pull it off.

 

 

Step 3: The Body and Case

Wipe down the main body of the earbuds with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water or alcohol. For the charging case, use a dry cotton swab to clean out the charging ports and the lid hinge. A slightly damp cloth is fine for the outside of the case, but keep liquid far away from the inside electronics.

 

 

Don’t Forget to Sanitize

Cleaning removes dirt and grime, but sanitizing kills the germs. This is especially smart if you’ve been sick or if you ever share your headphones (please don’t).

Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Don’t soak it! You want it barely damp. Gently wipe down all the surfaces of your headphones or earbuds. The alcohol evaporates quickly, killing germs without leaving moisture behind.

 

 

Pro Tips for a Perfect Clean

I’ve learned a few things over the years. The biggest mistake is using too much liquid. You can always add a little more, but you can’t take it away once it’s seeped into the electronics.

A clean, soft-bristled toothbrush is your secret weapon for any mesh or fabric surfaces. It gets into tiny spaces without being too harsh.

And please, never, ever submerge your headphones or earbuds in water. I know it’s tempting to just dunk them, but it will be the end of them. A little patience and a damp cloth are all you need for great headphone cleaning.

 

 

You’re All Set!

See? That wasn’t so bad. Your gear is now clean, sanitized, and ready for your next podcast binge or jam session.

Try to do a quick wipe-down every week or so. It’ll keep the major gunk from building up and make the next deep clean even easier. Now go enjoy that crystal-clear sound.