How to Clean Your AirPods Properly

Reading time: 6 minutes
Updated: May 2025

AirPods are one of the accessories we use most throughout the day—and, paradoxically, one of the ones we clean the least. With daily use, they accumulate earwax, sweat, dust, and sunscreen residue, which, in addition to being unsightly, can affect sound quality and battery life. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean your AirPods safely, effectively, and without damaging them.

Why is it important to clean your AirPods regularly?

Before diving into the practical guide, it’s worth understanding why regular cleaning makes a difference:

Sound quality Earwax and dirt that build up on the speaker grilles partially block the sound—over time, you’ll notice that your AirPods get quieter or that the sound is muffled. A quick clean-up will fix the problem right away.

Hygiene AirPods stay in your ears for hours. The buildup of bacteria can cause ear irritation or infections, especially in people with sensitive skin.

Battery Life Dirt on the charging contacts of the case and the earbuds themselves can interfere with charging efficiency, leading to inaccurate battery readings and less efficient charging cycles.

Well-maintained AirPods last much longer. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of corrosive residue that can damage internal components over time.

Apple recommends cleaning your AirPods regularly—and even provides official instructions on how to do so. We’ll follow those recommendations and add a few practical tips.

What you need to clean your AirPods

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• A clean, dry microfiber cloth
• Cotton swabs
• 70% isopropyl alcohol (optional, for disinfection)
• Soft-bristled toothbrush (or small makeup brush)
• Wooden stick or plastic spatula (for removing hardened earwax)

What you should never wear:

• Running water — AirPods are not completely waterproof
• Cleaning spray or harsh chemicals
• Sharp metal objects that can scratch the grates
• High-pressure compressed air — can force dirt inside

How to clean your AirPods (earbuds)

Step 1 — Clean the exterior

Start with the simplest part: the exterior of the headphones.

1. Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water—just slightly damp, never wet
2. Gently wipe the entire outer surface of the AirPods using circular motions
3. Pay attention to the areas that come into the most contact with your skin—the stem and the part that touches your ear
4. For more effective disinfection, use a cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol instead of water—it kills bacteria without damaging the plastic

Step 2 — Clean the speaker grilles

This is the most critical—and the most delicate—part. The speaker grilles (the small metal mesh at the tip of the AirPods) collect earwax, which blocks the sound.

1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a dry brush to gently clean the grates using circular motions—never press inward; just use sweeping motions outward
2. For more compacted earwax, use a dry wooden stick to gently loosen the buildup—without applying pressure and without inserting the stick into the ear canal
3. After loosening the dirt, brush it again to remove any remaining residue
4. Never pour water or alcohol directly onto the grilles—the liquid can seep inside and damage the speakers

⚠️ If you notice that the sound has improved significantly after cleaning the grilles, it’s a sign that you should have cleaned them sooner—make sure to do it more often.

Step 3 — Clean the microphone

AirPods have microphones in different parts of the stem. Clean these areas the same way you would clean speaker grilles—using a dry brush with gentle outward strokes, without applying pressure.

Step 4 — Clean the silicone tips (AirPods Pro)

If you have AirPods Pro, the removable silicone tips tend to collect a lot of dirt, but they’re easy to clean:

1. Gently pull to remove the silicone tips
2. Wash them with warm water—these are the only parts of the AirPods that you can get completely wet
3. Dry them thoroughly with a cloth before putting them back on—never put them back on while they're still damp
4. Make sure they are securely fastened before use

How to clean the AirPods charging case

The charging case collects dirt inside—especially on the gold-plated contacts and in the recesses where the AirPods sit.

Inside the box

1. With the AirPods removed, use a dry cotton swab to clean the inside of the case, including the sides and bottom
2. For the gold contacts (the small metal dots where the AirPods charge), use a cotton swab with a drop of isopropyl alcohol—gently wipe in a circular motion
3. Let them dry completely before putting the AirPods back in
4. Use a wooden stick to remove dirt that has accumulated in the corners and crevices

Exterior of the box

1. Wipe down the exterior with a slightly damp microfiber cloth
2. Pay attention to the magnetic closure area—it collects fingerprints
3. For the charging port (Lightning or USB-C), use a dry cotton swab to remove dust and debris

How often should you clean your AirPods?

If you use AirPods while exercising, it’s best to clean them after each workout—sweat is particularly corrosive to the internal components.

Signs that your AirPods need to be cleaned right away

• The volume on one or both AirPods is noticeably lower than usual
• The sound seems muffled or lacks bass
• AirPods take longer to charge, or the case doesn't close completely
• You can see debris on the grates with the naked eye
• Do you experience ear irritation after using AirPods?

Tips for keeping your AirPods clean longer

Always store them in the case when you're not using them. The case protects your AirPods from dust, dirt, and moisture in the environment. Leaving your AirPods out of the case speeds up the buildup of debris.

Clean your ears regularly. Clean ears mean less earwax getting into your AirPods. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference in keeping your earbuds clean.

Avoid using your AirPods in very dusty environments. Construction sites, beach sand, industrial settings—if you can’t avoid them, clean your AirPods right after.

Don't share your AirPods. Sharing AirPods increases the spread of bacteria and earwax. If you must share them, disinfect them before and after use with isopropyl alcohol.

Use a charging case cover A good charging case cover protects the charging contacts, keeps debris from getting inside through the lid, and keeps the exterior scratch-free. At InstaCase, we offer AirPods covers with exclusive designs that provide protection without adding unnecessary bulk.

Protects your AirPods case

After cleaning your AirPods, protect them with a high-quality case. The charging case is particularly vulnerable to scratches, drops, and dirt buildup on the contacts—a good case solves all these problems.

At InstaCase, we offer AirPods cases with exclusive designs and full protection for the charging case.

👉 See AirPods cases on InstaCase

Summary

Cleaning your AirPods regularly improves sound quality, extends their lifespan, and helps maintain hygiene. For the earbuds, use a dry brush on the grilles and a damp cloth on the exterior. For the case, use a cotton swab with alcohol on the contacts. Never use water directly on the grilles or sharp metal objects. A 5-minute weekly cleaning is enough to keep your AirPods in perfect condition.

Article written by the InstaCase Portugal team. Experts in cases and accessories for iPhone, Samsung, AirPods, and Kobo since 2020.