Quick Links

Key Takeaways

  • Don't try to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro under running water, as they're not waterproof.
  • A microfiber cloth is a great way to start, but you'll need cotton swabs to remove earwax from the speaker grills.
  • Cleaning your AirPods case is also essential to make sure dust and debris don't prevent your earbuds from charging when you put them in.

Apple's shiny-white AirPods and AirPods Pro can get dirty even with just a bit of use. We'll show you how to clean your wireless earbuds and their case to get them looking brand-new once again.

Cleaning Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

Before you start cleaning your AirPods, there's one big question to tackle: are AirPods waterproof? Unfortunately, no, AirPods are not waterproof. And only the third-generation AirPods or any generation of AirPods Pro are water-resistant. So no matter what model you have, you should use little or no water when cleaning the earbuds and the case.

Thankfully, there are many ways to clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro without damaging the delicate electronics inside.

Use a Microfiber Cloth

A microfiber cloth is one of the most indispensable tools you can have when cleaning your AirPods (or pretty much any electronic device).

clean airpods cloth
Brent Dirks/MakeUseOf

You've probably seen one of them and might even have a few around the house. If you don't, make sure to pick up one to clean your AirPods. This two-pack of MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths is a great way to start.

The science behind microfiber cloths is simple. As they're made with thousands of small fibers, the cloth can absorb and remove dust, oil, fingerprints, dirt, and almost anything else that can dirty up your AirPods. It can do all this without needing any cleaning products or even water. And the cloth works wonders without leaving behind lint or anything else.

With a microfiber cloth, take each AirPod in one hand and wipe it down with the microfiber cloth. Put a bit of pressure on the cloth to remove more stubborn stains.

Make sure to keep the microfiber cloth around. It will come in handy for other tasks around the house: it's perfect for cleaning any electronic screen, like an iPhone, iPad, or even a television or desktop monitor.

Use a Small Amount of Electronic-Safe Cleaner

If a microfiber cloth can't completely clean your AirPods or AirPods Pro, consider getting a cleaner that's safe to use with electronics. WHOOSH is an excellent non-toxic and odorless cleaner specifically for electronics. There is no alcohol or ammonia in the formula.

There are many different starter kits available. This WHOOSH Screen Cleaner Kit includes two bottles of formula and three microfiber cloths.

To clean your earbuds, spray a small bit of the formula on one of the included cloths—a little goes a long way here. Then, wipe down each AirPod individually. When cleaning with WHOOSH, make sure to avoid both the microphone and speaker grills.

The cleaner is also great for giving your other electronics (like an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and more) a shine.

Grab a Cotton Swab to Remove Any Earwax

airpods-pro-cleaning
Brent Dirks/MakeUseOf

If you regularly use your AirPods, you'll notice that, over time, earwax tends to accumulate around the earbud opening. On the AirPods Pro, wax accumulates in the detachable ear tip. Beyond being gross, earwax can also degrade the sound quality coming from the earbuds.

To make wax a problem of the past on your AirPods, grab a dry cotton swab. Gently push it around the speaker mesh and remove any wax. You can also use a cotton swab to clean the microphone mesh opening. For tougher grime and wax removal, consider using a soft tool.

On the AirPods Pro, detach the ear tip with a slight pull. Use the swab to clean out the interior and exterior of the tip. You can also clean the mesh of the earbud as well.

Something you'll want to avoid at all costs is a small, sharp object like a toothpick. While it might look tempting to clean out the earwax, too much pressure could cause you to accidentally pierce the AirPods or AirPods Pro mesh cover and permanently damage the earbud.

Use an AirPods Cleaning Kit

The Full Circle Control Alt Clean Set offers two different ways to clean your AirPods. One end of the tool offers a round soft tip, perfect for cleaning around the mesh grill of the AirPods and lifting out any wax. On the other side is a soft-bristle brush for AirPods or AirPods Pro. The set also includes a microfiber cloth.

Cleaning Your AirPods Case

airpods cleaning kit
Brent Dirks/MakeUseOf

As with the earbuds, the AirPods or AirPods Pro case is made of the same white material that can easily show grime, dirt, and other junk with daily use. Before you tackle the case itself, head to the bottom and find the Lightning or USB-C port. Make sure to clean any debris from the port with a soft, dry brush.

While you might want to put something else (like a toothpick) into the charging port to clean it, you should avoid doing so. That could damage the metal contacts and cause charging problems down the road.

Next, it's time to tackle the charging case itself. Use a spray of WHOOSH on a microfiber cloth and go around the AirPods case to wipe it clean. Make sure to stay away from the charging port.

Consider Using an AirPods Protective Case

An easy way to keep your AirPods or AirPods Pro case clean is to purchase a protective case. Using a case offers several advantages. Besides protecting the case from dirt and chemical elements, it can also secure your case and earbuds against drops and dings during daily use.

Many offer a carabiner to help keep the case safely attached to a purse, backpack, or the like. That's a big plus since either case is easy to lose because of its small size. Check out some of the best accessories to help protect your AirPods from damage.

With just a little bit of work and some simple cleaning products, you can have your AirPods looking as pristine as the day of purchase. And these easy cleaning tips will ensure you don't damage your expensive earbuds in the process.