To clean earbuds safely, remove the silicone tips and wash them, brush wax off the mesh with a dry soft brush, and wipe the case contacts with a dry cotton swab. Keep water away from the earbuds themselves. A clean takes ten minutes and often fixes low volume and earbuds that won’t charge.
What you need (and what to avoid)
Use: – A soft, dry toothbrush (child-size is ideal) – Cotton swabs and a lint-free or microfibre cloth – A wooden toothpick, for the edges only – Mild soap and warm water, for the silicone tips only – 70% isopropyl alcohol, optional, for disinfecting outer surfaces
Avoid: – Running water or soaking the earbuds, even “water-resistant” ones – Pins, needles or sharp metal in the mesh: they puncture it – Bleach, hand sanitiser gels and household sprays – Hair dryers or putting earbuds in the sun to dry
Clean the ear tips
- Pull the silicone tips off gently.
- Wash them in warm, soapy water, rubbing the inside with your fingers or a swab.
- Rinse, shake off the water and let them dry fully before refitting. Wet tips push moisture into the mesh.
Foam tips can’t be washed: wipe them with a barely damp cloth or replace them.
Clear wax from the mesh
Wax on the speaker mesh is the most common cause of one earbud sounding quieter or muffled.
- Hold the earbud with the mesh facing down, so loosened wax falls out instead of in.
- Brush the mesh in small circles with the dry toothbrush.
- Lift stubborn wax from the edges with the toothpick, without pressing into the mesh.
- For disinfecting, dab the outer shell (not the mesh holes) with a cotton swab barely dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it dry.
Can you use alcohol on earbuds? Yes, a little 70% isopropyl on a swab or cloth on the outer plastic is fine; never drip it into the openings. Still quiet after cleaning? See fixing one earbud not working.
Clean the case and contacts
Dust and pocket lint collect in the charging slots, and sweat leaves a film on the metal contacts, so the buds stop charging.
- Brush out the slots with the dry toothbrush.
- Wipe the metal contacts on the earbuds and inside the case with a dry cotton swab. For grime, use a swab barely dampened with isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry for a few minutes.
- Clear the charging port with a toothpick or dry brush, never metal.
- Wipe the outside of the case with a lightly damp cloth.
If the earbuds still won’t pair after cleaning, reset them using how to connect earbuds to your phone.
How often to clean
- Ear tips and a quick wipe: every week if you wear them daily on matatu commutes or at the gym.
- Mesh and case: every two to four weeks, sooner in dusty, hot weather.
- After a sweaty workout, wipe the earbuds and let them air-dry before putting them back in the case.
Stop using them and see a doctor if your ears get sore or itchy.
Quick answers
Hold the earbud mesh-down and brush the mesh gently with a dry soft toothbrush, then lift stubborn wax from the edges with a toothpick.
Yes, a little 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth or cotton swab for the outer shell and contacts. Don’t let it drip into the mesh or openings.
