How to clean earbuds and headphones

Ideally, you should do this once a week.

Everything we wear on our bodies, from hats to socks, eventually needs cleaning. Just as your clothes get filthy (from the environment) and sweaty (from you), your headphones pick up dirt from all around you and react to your own secretions—and they need cleaning too. And just like your clothes stay looking good longer if you fold them neatly before putting them away, taking a little care when storing your headphones will keep them working like new. We've got some tips for both.

As we wear headphones, our skin cells, sebum, ear wax, and facial products stick to the parts that touch our ears and face, and the ever stickier headphones then pick up more dirt from the world around us every time we take them off, put them down, or put them in a bag. The takeaway? Clean your dang headphones, people. And definitely give them a wipe down before borrowing or lending a pair.

Not only will making sure your headphones are clean and comfortable help them to last longer, but can, in the case of earbuds, even keep them sounding better. Here are a few tips on how to clean and care for your headphones.
Regularly wipe down headphones' earpads and tips with a mixture of soap and warm water on a lightly damp cloth.

Ideally, you should do this once a week. Make sure the headphones are off, if powered, and disconnected from your device. Dry fully with a soft cloth immediately. Don't use alcohol, as it can remove color or break down leather or fabric faster. As long as you use soap and water, it will clean off any nasties.
Clean the inside of earbuds with a small soft brush to remove debris.

Wax buildup can muffle the sound of your earbuds. Get an inexpensive cleaning tool designed for clearing out wax (some high-end in-ear models even come with one). First, pull the eartips off of the earbuds. Use the tool's metal loop side to gently scoop out any ear wax. Do not jam the loop into the tip while it's still on the earbud or you may push wax into the earbuds and damage the driver. Then use a small soft brush to gently clean off anything stuck to the earbuds. Wipe the eartips with a soapy wet cloth and dry thoroughly before reattaching to the earbuds.
After every workout, wipe gym headphones down, and allow to dry fully before charging.

Even if they're water- and sweat-resistant, don't keep your headphones wet for long periods because water can slowly seep into battery compartments or the earbuds themselves and short them out or damage drivers. (And even swim headphones should be allowed to dry fully before being put away.) Do not allow moisture into the earcup of over-ear headphones or into the nozzle of in-ear headphones.

If you need to take your headphones out mid-run or can't wait for them to dry completely before leaving the gym, gently shake out any excess moisture, turn the power off, and store them inside a little zip-close snack baggie. Don't keep your earbuds in your gym-shorts pocket or sports bra without a water-resistant case. Both of these places collect sweat and won't allow the earbuds to dry as frequently as they need to. Then when you arrive home, wipe the earbuds and allow them to dry as stated above.
Store your headphones and earbuds in a bag or case when not in use.

This will protect them from dirt, scratches, and impacts. Use the case you got when you bought them, or you can buy one later. Just be sure the case you choose will fit the headphones you have.
Don't use or store your headphones in very hot or cold environments.

Saunas and car trunks aren't good for headphones, especially if your pair has a battery. Also, don't store them long-term while wet or in a humid environment, even if they are water-resistant. Or, for extra protection, keep something like Westone Monitor Saver or a silica gel pack in the bag (just be sure to keep the gel packs away from kids and pets).
If your headphones are powered, don't leave the charge port or battery compartment open when storing them.

Even if your headphones won't get wet, leaving the port open can let in dirt and dust. If they don't have a door and they have just a Micro-USB port for charging, regularly dust out the port and check for water inside before plugging in.
Don't kink/bunch the cable or wrap it around your device while still plugged in.

Wrapping your headphones around your phone while they're still plugged in bends the cable where it meets the plug end at a sharp angle and can eventually pull it out of the housing. To wrap the cord properly, gently loop it around your fingers, making a circle with the cable, following the wire's natural curve. To prevent tangling, use a twist tie from bread or buy a little Velcro cable tie.
Always unplug your headphones by holding the plug or cable end, not the cable itself.

Don't unplug or remove headphones from your device by pulling the cable. It can weaken the cable over time. And definitely don't remove earbuds from your ears by pulling on the cable, especially if they're sealed. The vacuum created can cause damage to your ears. Instead, grasp the earbud and twist slightly while pulling outward.

Follow these guidelines and your headphones will stay cleaner and in better shape, and last you a lot longer. Happy listening!
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