Why and how to clean your in-ear headphones

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

When was the last time you cleaned your headphones? Lifehacker tells how to clean headphones from dust and dirt without damaging them, and why it should be done regularly.

You probably use headphones all day: on the way to work and home, at work. Most likely, you do not think about whether they are clean enough the next time you pull them out of your bag or pocket.

Headphones can carry bacteria from one person to another if they are shared. This can eventually lead to an ear infection. It is obviously necessary to keep them clean, but how? You can't just wash them in the dishwasher.

Here are some suggestions.

• Use warm water and soap for cleaning. There is no need for "heavy artillery". You can also use a dish detergent.
• Use a soft piece of cloth and some soapy water. Too much soap will leave marks on your headphones, but you can guess how much water will affect them. You can also use hydrogen peroxide after rinsing off the soapy water.
• If a lot of dust and dirt has accumulated on the inside of the metal part, try brushing the area with an old toothbrush.
• If the headphones have a detachable silicone part, remove and wash separately.
• Never immerse the earbuds in water, even for a second. This will damage the wiring.
• Remember to clean your headphones only when they are disconnected from the device.

How often do you clean your headphones?