How to perfectly clean AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max

Apple products are characterized by very good quality compared to other similar products from other companies. That is why the care and maintenance of these must be invaluable to maintain the quality with which we buy the products. Apple provides users with guides for caring for devices both internally and for cleaning. One of the most dirty accessories is AirPods, apple headphones, in its three modes: original, Pro and Max. We teach you how to perfectly clean these devices to make them like new.

Clean AirPods: in the spotlight

As we said, AirPods are a stain-prone device by their very nature. Especially the originals and the Pro model which insert the ear pads or headphones into the ear canal. The existence of earwax is normal within the ear canal, the function of which is to protect it. However, this excess wax can sometimes be deposited in different parts of the helmet. If allowed to pass, the sound quality of the headphones decreases and the cleaning of the headphones also decreases.

This is why it is important maintain good personal hygiene, in relation to the ear canal, in order to avoid extreme dirt on the AirPods. In addition, we will complete this action by deep cleaning of the headphones Thanks to a few simple techniques officially recommended by Apple and other tips used in the Apple Online Store that we explain to you below.

You can gently clean the exterior surfaces of AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or EarPods with a wipe soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol or Clorox disinfectant wipes. Do not use them to clean the speaker grille on AirPods, AirPods Pro, and EarPods. Do not use them to clean the grill cover and AirPods Max ear pads. Do not use products that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting the openings wet and do not immerse AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or EarPods in cleaning products.

How to clean AirPods

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation AirPods and AirPods Pro are distinguished by being the older brothers of the EarPods which, as the name suggests, insert the earpiece into the ear canal. These devices also have a rod that falls over the tragus and the earlobe, holding onto it to prevent it from falling.

As we said, their anatomy predisposes them to a greater accumulation of dirt. Therefore, if you have AirPods, we recommend that you clean them as follows:

1. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to act as a guide for the cleaning process.
2. Do not use wipes soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol to clean the earphone slots.
3. Prevent liquids from entering the openings and grilles of the helmet.
4. You can use with lots of attention Use a toothpick or something sharp to remove excess earwax from the walls of the audio output port. Only for walls.
5. Use a dry cotton swab remove earwax and clean the speaker and microphone grilles.

Although these are official recommendations, physical Apple Stores use Reusable “Blue Tack” style tape to clean the inside of the AirPods grill. To do this, take a large amount of dough and make a ball for later apply it to the AirPods grid. Avoid making a small dough as you risk encrusting it inside the grid and this would be counterproductive. When you are done with the process, you can buff the cleaning with a dry cotton swab.

How to clean the AirPods Pro ear pads

AirPods Pro have special stamps that give them the optimal conditions to carry out their special functions such as spatial audio or transparent audio. However, they must be particularly careful concerning its cleaning:

1. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe off excess water inside.
2. Remove the ear pads from each AirPod and rinse them with water. This is essential do not use soap or other products for cleaning.
3. Dry the pads with the soft, dry, lint-free cloth. And make sure they are dry before you put them back in the AirPods.
4. Replace the pads making sure the pitch and alignment are correct.

How to clean the charging case

The charging case is also a source of dirt, especially since we continually drop AirPods into it. In addition, the size and versatility of the case make it we can take it with us anytime Take it to places where it can get dirty like bags or pockets. To properly clean the charging case of AirPods and AirPods Pro, you can follow the following steps:

1. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. In this case If 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% alcohol can be used. Once cleaned with the product, we will let the case dry. Fundamental: Do not allow liquid to enter any opening or charging port.
2. To clean the Lightning connector, we can use a dry soft bristle brush or a toothpick very carefully only outside then wipe off the dirt with a cotton swab.

My AirPods got wet with liquid

AirPods can get stained or dirty with liquids such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, fabric softener, colognes, solvents, or detergents. In this case, Apple offers the following solutions:

1. Clean the AirPods with a cloth slightly dampened with water and Then dry them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
2. We will wait for them to dry completely before putting them back in the charging case.
3. Generally: We will not attempt to use them until they are completely dry.

How to clean AirPods Max

AirPods Max are completely different from the Pro and their little brothers the normal AirPods. It’s about headband helmet The center of the dirt can come from two places: the ear pads and the headband. That’s why Apple divides cleaning techniques into these two sections:

How to clean the AirPods Max headband

The AirPods Max headband is made of breathable braided material supported by a stainless steel frame covered with a soft touch material. The material used makes cleaning more careful:

1. In a container place 5 ml of liquid detergent with 250 ml of water
2. Remove the ear pads to keep the headband.
3. To clean the headband, hold the AirPods Max face down to prevent liquid from entering the headband attachment point.
4. To clean take a lint-free cloth with the solution we created above and drain it to avoid getting too much and rubbing Tiara for a few seconds.
5. Take another cloth and dampen it with running water and wipe down the headband, removing the solution with detergent.
6. Finally, dry the headband with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth, making sure nothing stays wet.

How to clean AirPods Max ear pads

AirPods Max ear pads are completely different from AirPods Pro ear pads. They are made from a mesh fabric and memory foam that provide the user with maximum comfort. The cleaning mechanism is similar to the one we used for the headband:

1. In a container place 5 ml of liquid detergent with 250 ml of water.
2. Remove the ear pads to keep the headband.
3. To clean the ear pads take a lint-free cloth with the solution we created above and drain it to avoid getting too much and rub each tampon for one minute each.
4. Take another cloth and dampen it with running water and wipe it on each of the pads, removing the solution with detergent.
5. Finally, dry the pads with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth, making sure nothing stays wet.
6. Put them back.