If you’re the type who can’t live without music, chances are you’re a proud owner of a good pair of earphones.
These audio devices offer great entertainment and convenience, allowing you to take your music with you anywhere you go.
But did you know they can also be home to 119,186 germs and microorganisms? That’s more than 2,700 times dirtier than your kitchen cutting board. Nasty, right?
Luckily for you, cleaning your earphones can be done in as fast as 4 easy steps. In this complete cleaning guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of eliminating germs and other types of dirt in your earphones.
If your earphones or earbuds have any silicone or plastic covers, start by removing and placing them on a clean and dry surface.
For silicone covers full of earwax and gunk, simply dip them in warm and soapy water. After a few minutes, get a cotton swab and swipe each corner and surface to remove any stain or discoloration. Rinse well and let it dry for a few hours.
For wax and dirt build-up, gently scrub the earphone bud using a tissue or a cotton swab. Do this repeatedly until most of the dirt is fully eliminated.
If you still see any waxy or dirt build-up, get another cotton swab and dip it into an alcohol solution.
Wipe the earphones with the wet swab and go at every corner and surface until all dirt is eliminated. Do this thoroughly to ensure everything is cleaned and sanitized.
To finish cleaning and disinfecting the earphones, get a couple sheets of wet wipes or alcohol wipes. Wipe the earphones in a circular motion to remove any remaining dirt or gunk.
If you still see any traces of dirt left, repeat the process until you’re satisfied with the result.
If your earphones — or the highly popular Apple AirPods — are filled to the brim with gunk and dirt, you’re going to want to do a deep clean to prevent audio problems.
While the process is similar to the one explained above, a deep clean for your earphones normally involves a special cleaning kit. This set, complete with tiny brushes and a special cleaning solution, is ideal for any audiophile wanting to eliminate dirt and restore the earphones’ original sound quality.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can always opt to use alcohol wipes and a soft microfiber cloth.
Just like your smartphone and laptop, earphones need regular cleaning to prevent any dirt from setting in. Simply wipe them with an alcohol-dampened tissue to keep them nice and clean after every use. While this may seem like a dull and tedious task, you’d be amazed at how far it can go in preserving your earphones’ appearance and sound quality.
