Wireless earbuds have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the disappearance of headphone jacks on smartphones. Along with their popularity, prices have become more affordable. There are many quality wireless earbuds available at lower prices in the market. If you own earbuds or plan to buy them soon, keeping them clean and caring for their batteries to extend their lifespan is important. This prevents them from ending up in the trash and helps reduce electronic waste. We know you don’t want to damage your beloved earbuds while cleaning them. So we’ve summarized the following tips to help you clean and maintain your earbuds properly.
Before Cleaning Wireless Earbuds
Before cleaning wireless earbuds, it’s important to know what not to do during the cleaning process. One wrong step is enough to ruin your earphones forever. Here are some tips to remember:
- Do not wash the earbuds under running water even if they are waterproof or have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. You will damage them forever.
- Never let the charging points come into contact with liquids.
- Remove the ear tips and clean them separately for best results.
- Do not wash them in a washing machine.
- Never use a dryer or similar machine to dry the earbuds or ear tips.
- Avoid using alcohol to clean the earbuds, earplugs, or charging case.
- Make sure the earbuds are completely dry before placing them in the charging case.
It’s important to follow these tips. Earbuds can be sensitive, so using the wrong method can easily damage them. You will keep your earbuds in prime condition if you use the right method.
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How to Clean Wireless Earbuds
The best way to remove all dirt and dust from wireless earbuds is to clean them thoroughly using a damp microfiber cloth. You don’t need to use special liquids or soap solutions to moisten the cloth. Plain tap water can be used.
Before cleaning the ear tips, remove them from the earbuds. To do this, follow these steps:
- Hold the left or right earbud in your hand.
- Flip the outer skin of the ear tip.
- Gently pull the outer skin away from the earbud to release it.
- Repeat the same steps for the other earbud.
- Clean the ear tips by rinsing them under running water or using a soap solution. This will remove all dust and dirt from the ear tips.
- Wipe the earbuds with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Do not use a cleaning solution or soap. Do not overly wet the microfiber cloth.
- Allow the ear tips to dry completely before reattaching them to the wireless earphones.
And you’re done! You can use wet cotton swabs to clean areas that require more precision.
Earbuds that sit deep in the ear like the Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro (yes, you can use AirPods with an Android phone) can accumulate a lot of earwax that can muffle and reduce their sound output.
So, cleaning areas like the audio output holes on the earbuds is crucial. A damp cloth or cotton swab remains the best choice here. You can use a toothpick, but only for hard plastic earbuds.
You can also use an air blaster or air spray commonly used to clean camera lenses to remove earwax and dirt from hard-to-reach areas. However, both of these tools will not work to clean dirt that sticks to the ear tips.
For a more thorough cleaning, consider purchasing an earbud cleaning pen. They are usually inexpensive and contain tools that can remove stubborn dirt and grime. This includes a soft-bristled brush to clean the charging points on the earbud case.
Warning
Do not spray compressed air from too close or at an angle. If there is too much pressure, it can indirectly damage the earbuds.
Cleaning the earbud case is easier than cleaning the earbuds. You can clean the outer part with a damp microfiber cloth. For the inner part, depending on the design of the charging case, use a microfiber cloth or cotton. Gently clean the contact points, and do not use sharp metal objects to clean them.
If you live in a dusty environment or use earphones while running or exercising, it is best to clean the earphones every few weeks. Ideally, wipe the earbuds after each workout to ensure they are not too dirty.
Store the earphones in a backpack or pocket to keep them clean while traveling. Also, avoid placing the earphones in environments that are too hot or too cold, as this is not good for the earphone battery. Black earphones are always easier to clean than white ones. So if you’re considering buying a pair of earbuds usually promoted in white, like the Google Pixel Buds Pro, consider getting them in a darker color.
How to Extend the Battery Life of Earbuds
If you have a pair of premium earbuds that you use frequently, chances are the battery will die after one or two years of use. Even if that doesn’t happen, the earbuds’ runtime will significantly decrease. Battery replacement is not an option with modern earbuds because non-removable batteries allow manufacturers to pack so much technology into such a small space. Unlike smartphones, most wireless earphones do not have sophisticated software-based algorithms to extend battery life.
Never fully deplete the earbud battery. Given how lithium-ion batteries are designed and work. Instead of waiting for the earbud battery to run out, recharge it regularly. Also, avoid leaving it connected to power for a long time after the battery is fully charged because it is not good for the battery. So, don’t charge the earphones continuously overnight.
If you don’t use the earbuds often, it is recommended to store them with a minimum of 50% charge. This helps extend the life of lithium-based batteries. Similarly, do not store them in temperatures that are too hot or too cold as it will cause loss of capacity.
The lithium-ion battery inside the earphones will lose capacity over time, and its runtime will decrease even after you’ve tried your best. By following the tips above, at least you can extend their lifespan for a few months before you need to upgrade them.
How to Dispose of Old Wireless Earbuds
Although you’ve tried your best, eventually, you’ll have to dispose of your wireless earbuds. The battery inside the earbuds will stop charging or functioning at some point in the future. Whatever the issue, when the time comes, and you have to buy new earbuds, you need to dispose of the earbuds you’re currently using properly.
Do not throw them in the trash, as the earbuds will end up in a landfill, which will be more harmful than beneficial. Instead, place the earbuds in a recycling bin. Or if the earbuds work fine but cannot hold a charge for long, donate them to charity or give them to someone in need.
Take Care of Earbuds to Make Them Last Longer
You can make your earbuds last longer and keep them clean by following the tips above. If you’re not satisfied with their sound quality or are looking for a replacement, you can give them to a friend or family member. That’s always better than throwing them away. Then, you can consider buying one of the best wireless earbuds on the market that provide outstanding sound quality and noise cancellation.
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