You Must Clean Your Headphones and Earbuds: A Comprehensive Guide for Your Hearing Health and Devices

Caring for your hearing health goes beyond just controlling sound levels; maintaining the cleanliness of your headphones and earbuds plays a vital role. Discover with us the correct way to clean them and why it's important.

Do you regularly clean your headphones and earbuds? It's not just about removing superficial earwax; it requires deep cleaning to keep your headphones and ears in optimal condition.

If you own earbuds like AirPods, the interior of their charging case likely requires special attention. In addition to earwax removal, the case needs thorough cleaning, especially after extensive use or strenuous workout sessions.

The process of cleaning earbuds and headphones is simple and doesn't require specialized tools; it can be effectively accomplished using readily available household materials. If it's been a while since your last headphone cleaning, here are essential steps and tips to maintain their cleanliness and upkeep.

How to Clean Earbuds: A Comprehensive Guide

Tools Required: Your earbuds, mild soap, warm water, a soft microfiber cloth, a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swabs, and a dry paper towel.

1. Cleaning Plastic and Silicone Parts: Avoid Sensors

Start by removing your earbuds from the charging case and setting them aside. Fill a cup with warm water and add a few drops of mild soap or micellar water, then mix well. Dampen a soft toothbrush, a microfiber cloth, or a cotton swab with the solution, and gently wipe or scrub the earbud meshes, hard plastic parts, and silicone tips. To rinse off any excess cleaning solution, rinse your cleaning tool and repeat the process. Afterward, dry the earbuds with a clean paper towel and allow them to air dry completely before returning them to the charging case.

Be sure to check the International Protection (IP) rating of your earbuds before exposing them to water. Most earbuds have an IPX4 or IP54 rating. The "X" in IPX4 indicates no specific data for dust resistance, while the "4" signifies the earbuds' ability to withstand splashes and sprays from any direction. In the IP54 rating, the "5" indicates protection against dust, while "4" signifies splash resistance. Despite this water resistance, avoid fully submerging the earbuds in water or exposing them to a direct stream of water. Be careful when cleaning AirPods meshes and avoid scrubbing sensitive sensors.

What is an IP rating?: The International Protection (IP) rating is a standard used to define the levels of protection an electronic device provides against the ingress of foreign objects (like dust) and water. The rating consists of "IP" followed by two digits or an "X" if one type of protection has not been evaluated. The first digit (0-6) indicates dust resistance, and the second digit (0-9) indicates water resistance. SoundGuys (2025), What Hi-Fi? (2024).

What do IPX4 and IP54 ratings mean?

• IPX4: This rating means that the earbuds are protected against water splashes or sprays from any direction, making them suitable for use during strenuous exercise or in humid weather conditions like light rain. The "X" indicates no specific data for dust resistance. Medium (2024), Shokz (2024).
• IP54: This rating provides better protection against dust (the digit 5 indicates that the device is protected against dust in quantities that will not affect its operation), in addition to resistance to water splashes from all directions (the digit 4). SoundGuys (2025), What Hi-Fi? (2024).

2. Cleaning the Earbud Charging Case

After removing the earbuds, inspect the charging case for any visible residue. To remove accumulated earwax, dirt, or dust inside the case, use a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton swab. The tool can be slightly dampened to carefully clean the interior, taking extreme care to avoid damaging the sensitive metal charging connectors. Ensure the case is completely dry before placing the earbuds back inside.

How to Clean Over-Ear Headphones

Tools Required: Your headphones, mild soap, warm water, a soft microfiber cloth, a soft-bristled toothbrush, or a paper towel.

1. Removing Ear Pads (If Possible)

Some headphones feature magnetic ear pads that can be easily removed, while others require more effort. If you are concerned about damaging the pads when attempting to remove them, it's best to leave them in place, but ensure no liquid leaks into the earcups. (Example: The inner part of the right earcup of Bose QuietComfort headphones. Avoid liquid reaching this sensitive area.)

2. Cleaning Only Hard Plastic and Soft Leather Surfaces

Dampen your cleaning tool with the mild soap and water solution. Unlike earbuds, most over-ear headphones are not officially tested for water ingress resistance. To avoid damaging the internal audio components, be careful not to wet the inside of the earcups. Use the dampened tool to carefully and precisely wipe the ear pads and headband. If you removed the ear pads, allow them to air dry completely before reattaching them. If they were not removed, ensure they are completely dry before using the headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Headphone and Earbud Hygiene

Why is Cleaning Headphones and Earbuds Necessary?

Your ears have a self-cleaning ability, but maintaining the cleanliness of your earbuds, headphones, and hearing aids is crucial to prevent the introduction of dirt and harmful bacteria.

According to Dr. Lachelle Lazarus, an audiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, regular use of earbuds doesn't pose a significant risk. However, she recommends keeping them clean, especially with daily use: "We advise patients to keep their earbuds and hearing aids clean to prevent any bacterial growth on the device they will reinsert into their ear. Extensive use throughout the day doesn't pose a major health risk, but we recommend wiping earbuds daily." Lachelle Lazarus, AuD, Audiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Earbuds inserted into the ear canal can create a warm and moist environment, encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria and leading to irritation. Reinserting old earwax can also cause blockages in the ear and trap moisture, leading to health problems.

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones do not touch the inside of your ear. However, shampoo residue, sunscreen, sweat, and natural skin oils can accumulate on the ear pads, causing skin irritation around your ears, so regular cleaning is recommended.

According to Dr. J. Ryan Smolarz, an otolaryngology specialist, some materials used to manufacture headphones and earbuds can cause irritation to the ears and surrounding skin. He also points out that headphones constantly come into contact with your bags, pockets, dirty hands, and other surfaces, exposing them to germs. J. Ryan Smolarz, MD, MBA, Otolaryngology Specialist.

As important as cleaning your headphones and ears from debris is, it's also essential to regularly rest your ears.