How to clean wax from headphones. How to Clean Headphone Ear Pads: Daily care for all types of ear pads. How to clean silicone ear pads of in-ear headphones – Man and Health

Every AirPods user has faced the problem when their headphones become dirty and look so that even the owner does not want to put them in his ears. This is explained by the physiology of the human body and simply by the fact that we live in a rather dirty world (dust in our pockets, lint from clothes, etc.). It's especially annoying when this happens with expensive headphones like AirPods, which can't be easily replaced with new ones. Or with those headphones that need to be sold, but in this form their price drops by at least half. It’s good that there are quite simple ways to put them in order at home without a visit to the service center. It will take some work, but the process is much simpler than it might seem.

Headphones must be clean!

General rules for cleaning headphones

The cleaning scheme primarily depends on whether the headphones are dismountable or not.

In the first case, it is enough to remove the outer cover or rubber band and carefully separate the mesh, which should then be dipped in alcohol or peroxide.

If the headphone head cannot be disassembled, the cleaning process must be carried out very carefully so as not to damage the internal cables. Use a toothpick or cotton swab dipped in cleaning agent.

Dry the headphones on a paper towel for at least 3 hours.

Precautionary measures

If you are planning to clean wax from your headphones, remember a few rules:

• do not use detergents: washing powders, dishwashing liquids;
• do not use water. Drops can penetrate the headphone housing, cause a short circuit, and lead to oxidation of the contacts;
• To clean white headphones from yellowing, use vodka or alcohol. Do not use solvents, bleaches or nail polish remover: they will damage the body and matte base. If your headset is a different color, then using caustic substances may discolor it;
• The inside of the housing can only be cleaned with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol;
• After treatment to remove dirt, do not turn on the headset for 2–3 hours;
• Do not use metal objects that could pierce the microphone mesh.

When cleaning, you should only work with the mesh and ear pads of the headphones, avoiding getting any liquids inside. An alternative way to get rid of blockages is to contact a specialized center.

How to clean ear wax from headphones with hydrogen peroxide

To clean wax from headphones, prepare:

• hydrogen peroxide;
• small container;
• cotton buds;
• toothpicks;
• paper napkin

If the headphone model is not compatible:

• Dip the surface of the speaker into a container of peroxide and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then remove excess moisture with a cotton swab. The method is quite risky, since if liquid gets on the contacts, there is a chance that the speakers will be damaged.
• Soak a cotton swab in peroxide and gently wipe the speaker grille. In crevices, wax can be removed with a toothpick. After cleaning the grooves, wipe the surface again with a cotton swab and peroxide.

The hydrogen peroxide cleaning method will not only help remove dirt, but also disinfect the surface.

What can you clean with?

Handy objects help to remove earwax stuck in hard-to-reach places, at joints or in mesh cells. But you need to use them carefully, without strong pressure, so as not to damage the fragile parts of the device.

Toothpicks and needles

They are indispensable when you need to pry up a stuck piece of wax or pick up dirt. Using a toothpick is convenient to disassemble the headphones and easily pry off the case or cover. When choosing between a toothpick and a needle, it is better to choose the first one.

Wood is softer than metal, it does not scratch plastic as much and does not leave marks on the surface. If you have a mesh with very small cells, then only a sharp needle will come to the rescue. Use it carefully so as not to deform the part.

Cotton buds

A cotton swab is convenient for cleaning small parts. It is designed so that it has a long handle. This is convenient for working with small items. The tightly wrapped cotton absorbs a small amount of product to clean the area. There is a danger that it may leave behind cotton lint, which can lead to poor performance of the headphones.

In this case, it is recommended to check the working part of the stick to see how tightly it is wrapped and whether there are cotton fragments sticking out. You can also press the moistened end tightly with a clean napkin. This will remove excess liquid and make the cotton head denser.

Cotton pads

Experts recommend giving preference to cotton pads rather than pieces of fabric. This is a great helper for wiping the case, wires, and large parts. The disc fits comfortably in your hand, does not slip out, and folds several times.

Cotton pads will help clean your headphones.

Subtleties of cleaning various models

To fully remove dirt, it is not enough to know the basic rules for cleaning headphones. Some models require a special approach.

Vacuum

In-ear headphones are inserted directly into the ear canal, isolating external sounds. The headphones have special rubber tips that ensure the stability of the speaker in the ear and are easily removed.

Before cleaning the speakers, remove the vacuum pads, wash with a mild soapy solution and leave until completely dry.

To clean speakers and other elements you will need:

• cotton swabs or disks;
• alcohol-containing solution;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• scotch;
• small capacity.

Action plan:

• Soak a cotton pad in the alcohol solution and wipe all external surfaces.
• Since you won’t be able to remove the mesh separately, pour a little peroxide into the container and lower the heads there so that the liquid covers only the mesh.
• To prevent the speaker from being completely submerged in the product, secure the wires with tape.
• Keep the headphones in this position for at least 15 minutes.
• Remove the speakers and dry them on a paper towel for at least 2 hours.

Cleaning does not take much time, but requires care.

Earbuds

Cleaning such headphones depends on whether the speakers are collapsible or not. If the earphone can be disassembled, clean the mesh by immersing it in alcohol or peroxide. If the device model does not allow for disassembling the speakers, the mesh can be cleaned using a toothpick and a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution.

Invoices

Over-ear headphones with removable ear pads also require regular care. To clean the speakers, you must first remove the covers. You can remove dirt from the surface with a clothes roller or a hand-held vacuum cleaner. For more thorough cleaning you will need: cotton pads, a stiff bristle brush and alcohol.

Process diagram:

• Remove the ear pads from the speakers.
• Lightly moisten the brush in the solution and treat first the outer and then the inner surface of the device.
• Leave the headphones on a paper towel until completely dry before putting the earbuds back on.

While working, be careful not to let any liquid get inside the speakers.

apple earpods

Original wireless headphones for iPhone have a unique shape, so the cleaning process is slightly different from the standard one.

Firstly, although the model is considered collapsible, it is quite difficult to put it back together. The manufacturer decided to protect the device from liquid getting inside by depriving the headphones of open latches. If necessary, the speaker head can be opened, but only with a knife or scalpel. Reassembly will only be good if you attach the removed cover with glue. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, do not disassemble your earpods.

Secondly, the mesh on the speakers is quite easy to damage, so you need to act very correctly and carefully. The first step is to remove dirt with a clean toothpick. A cotton swab dipped in a cleaning agent can be used only after this stage. This will prevent you from pushing dirt deep into the speakers. To prevent liquid from getting on the contacts, blot the alcohol stick with a paper napkin and only then wipe the mesh. Perform the procedure until the result satisfies you.

Types and design features

The industry produces various types of headphones, which are classified according to the design and type of installed speaker (emitter), the method of connecting to the source of playback of sound files and acoustic design:
According to their design headphones are of the following types:

1. plug-in (earbuds) - the cheapest type of such devices that do not have good sound reproduction quality, usually included with various mobile gadgets;
2. in-channel (vacuum) – the most popular type of device when using smartphones and mp3 players, which have the best playback performance and have various attachments for installation in the user’s ear;

3. overhead – fixed on the surface of the ear, but does not cover it completely, are equipped with various options for the mounting system and have fairly compact dimensions;
4. full-size – completely cover the surface of the ear and are characterized by high rates of reproduction of sound information and significant dimensions;
5. monitors - similar to full-size models, but have better noise insulation performance, and are used as professional equipment.

Based on the type of emitter , headphones are classified as:

1. dynamic - they work on the principle of converting electrical vibrations of sound frequency into acoustic ones;
2. electrostatic – characterized by high reproduction rates; a special DOK station is used for use;

3. orthodynamic and isodynamic - used only in full-size headphones, they have good sound reproduction characteristics;
4. reinforcement – ​​used in vacuum models.

According to the acoustic design, headphones are of open and closed type. In closed models, the design of the device involves isolating the sound stream reproduced by the headphones from the external space (surrounding). Open versions have a lattice structure on the outer surface, which allows sounds from the headphones to enter the external environment, and external noise to the user’s ears.

Based on the method of signal transmission, headphones are divided into wired and wireless. Wired models connect to the playback source using a standard “Mini-jack” connector (3.5 mm), and wireless models use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as infrared and radio connections (for older versions).

How to clean the mesh on your headphones

Before the procedure, try to disassemble the speakers. If you can remove the outer cover:

• Pour a small amount of peroxide into the container.
• Carefully separate the mesh from the speaker.
• Immerse the mesh in the solution for 10–20 minutes.
• Remove and blot off excess moisture with a cotton swab.
• Leave on a paper towel until completely dry.
• Collect your headphones.

This type of cleaning is one of the most effective.

How to clean the headphone jack on your phone

Dirt and dust also get into the headphone jack on the phone. To remove contaminants you will need:

• alcohol-containing product;
• cotton swabs or sponges.

You can clean the nest in several ways:

• Soak a cotton swab in alcohol and blot with a paper towel. Carefully insert into the slot and twist several times. Repeat the manipulation until the cotton wool is clean.
• Divide the cotton pad into two. Soak the denser part in an alcohol-containing solution and squeeze thoroughly. Cover the plug with a damp sponge and insert it into the socket. Rotate the plug in the socket periodically replacing dirty disks with new ones until they become clean.

This procedure is suitable for any phone model.

Invoices

Such devices first need to be disassembled. Cleaning of overhead accessories is not possible when they are complete.

They are equipped with soft ear pads that cannot get wet.

How to disassemble:

1. First remove the top foam liner.
2. Then take a Phillips screwdriver and remove the screws.
3. Remove all trims.

It is allowed to use the same hydrogen peroxide or medical alcohol as a cleaning agent.

Brush everything gently with a toothbrush. The inner surfaces of the ear pads are treated with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol.

Using a vacuum cleaner

A regular vacuum cleaner will help remove dust and dirt from the speakers. However, a standard brush will be too large and will not be suitable for small parts of the device. In such a case, a special device will help.

You will need plasticine and a thin hollow tube (such as a used ballpoint pen). Make a ball from plasticine that will be equal in volume to the diameter of the vacuum cleaner pipe. Pierce the plasticine ball with a rod and attach it to the pipe. Turn on the vacuum cleaner for a few seconds and remove dirt from the surface of the speakers.

Why do headphones get dirty and how does this affect their performance?

All headphones get dirty over time, regardless of color or model. While listening to music, earwax gets into the speaker heads and accumulates on the mesh. In addition, headphones are a device that we constantly carry with us in our pocket or bag, so dust, lint and dirt stick to their surface.

When there is a lot of accumulation, the surface of the speakers becomes covered and the sound quality deteriorates. In addition, dirty headphones are a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent such consequences, clean 1-2 times a month.

What not to do when performing work

When cleaning your headphones, you should not:

• Allow contact with water and large volumes of aqueous solutions that require immersing the device in them.
• Disassembling the body of non-disassembled models and devices that allow this procedure, if the user is not confident in his abilities, in order to then perform assembly.

Tips and tricks for caring for your headphones

To minimize the possibility of contamination entering the device, follow these recommendations:

• store the device in a special handbag or case;
• change rubber pads from time to time;
• do not allow water to get inside;
• Carry out regular monthly cleaning.

The subtleties of caring for full-size headphones

Store your over-ear headphones by following the basic rules for caring for any device. In addition to the basic recommendations, make sure that the soft ear pads of your headphones do not accumulate a lot of dust and dandruff. Dry clean occasionally with a brush or vacuum cleaner. If the linings wear out over time and lose their presentable appearance, replace them with new ones.

What to do if water gets into your headphones

It happens that water still gets into the headphones in one way or another. To prevent them from breaking, act immediately.

• Try to shake out as much liquid as possible from the device. Make sure that your movements are not intermittent or sudden. Shake gently to avoid damaging internal parts.
• If water is no longer dripping, dry the device with a hair dryer or heat source. Make sure that the temperature is not too high and does not deform the housing.
• After all the manipulations, you can safely check the functionality of the headphones.

When to clean AirPods wireless headphones

Cleaning must be done not only for the sake of aesthetic beauty (since the device is white), but also to ensure that the sound quality and volume do not deteriorate due to contamination of the speakers. Cleaning is also necessary to prevent particles of dust and earwax from penetrating inside the case and damaging the speakers or batteries themselves. The manufacturer describes how to clean wax from AirPods. The procedure must be repeated at least once every 2-3 months.

On a note!

In reality, these deadlines sometimes have to be shortened. It is better to carry out the operation monthly or according to the degree of blockage, if there is a noticeable deterioration in the quality and volume of sound.

How to store headphones so they don't get tangled

If the headphones are stored without a special case, there is a chance that the wires will get mixed up. To prevent this:

• Wrap the wire around your palm several times.
• Pull your palm out and trim the edges.
• Wind the remaining part of the wire across the resulting rings several times.
• Tighten the tail into the resulting loop.

If you store the headphones rolled up, the wires will be less deformed, which means the device will last longer.

To prevent your headphones from breaking down for a long time, clean them regularly. To do this, use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and under no circumstances use water or aggressive substances. The specifics of cleaning include several simple steps and depend on the headphone model.