I will teach you how to clean earphones and headphones wisely. Repel sebum and earwax from AirPods etc.

Headphones and earphones tend to get dirty. There are many things that cause dirt, such as sebum, earwax, and cosmetics. If you leave it alone and it becomes sticky, more things will adhere from it.

There seems to be information on the net that you should smoke AirPods with your mouth to clean it, but that is a mistake. There is a high possibility that the screwdriver, mesh part, electronic part, etc. will be damaged (it is usually dirty in the first place). There are other easy ways to clean it, so I'll introduce it. It's good for you, and it's good for the person you lend or borrow.

What you need to clean earphones and headphones

・ Water with detergent: Dishwashing liquid is recommended because it has stronger detergency than hand soap (hand soap often contains moisturizers or dyes). Seventh Generation Dish Liquid is recommended for Wirecutter.

・ Cleaning cloth: It is best to use a smartphone screen or wipe glasses to prevent scratches.

-Cleaning tool for earphones: An item made for cleaning the earpiece. It removes the accumulated garbage.

-Silica gel pack: It absorbs moisture in the gym bag or on damp weather days and keeps the headphones and earphones clean.

-Rubbing alcohol: Disinfects the silicon and plastic parts of the eartips. However, since it is alcohol, please be careful when using it.

What is the optimal cleaning frequency?

There is no such rule as to how often to clean, and it depends on how often you use it, the circumstances in which you use it, and the climate of your place of residence.

For example, if you use it every day and keep it on your desk, you can clean it once a week, and if you use it in the gym, you should wipe it clean after each use. Especially when you sweat a lot, please do it carefully.

The easiest way to keep it clean is to wipe it off as soon as you get earwax, debris, fingerprints, grease, or sweat. If you leave it alone, it will be terrible.

How to clean earphones and headphones such as AirPods

First, wipe the dirty part of the earphone with a slightly damp cloth. Don't forget to make sure it's turned off and disconnected from other devices.

Immediately wipe off any water with a cleaning cloth. Do not use alcohol here as it can cause discoloration and damage to the skin and cloth. It can be removed cleanly with just water and soap.

Next is how to remove the earwax that has accumulated in the earphones. If you leave it unattended, the sound will be muffled, so be careful. Cheap ones are OK, so be sure to buy a cleaning tool for earphones (some expensive headphones come with it).

First, remove the eartips from the earphones and gently remove the earwax with the metal part of the cleaning tool. If you do not remove the eartips from the earphones, the earwax will be pushed all the way in and it will hurt the driver, so be careful.

Then use a brush to remove any debris from the earphones. When working, be sure to turn the open part toward the ground so that the small dust that has been removed does not get inside.

Finally, wipe the eartips with a wet sheet containing detergent, dry them thoroughly, and then reattach them to the earphones to complete the process.

Clean the charging case and battery connector properly.

For AirPods that are charged in a case, it is also necessary to clean the case and connector.

In particular, small pins and connectors for charging are easily clogged with earwax and dust, and if they are clogged, charging will not be possible, so be careful.

Apple recommends wiping both the case and the body with a dry cloth, but a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol to the extent that it doesn't drip is a great way to clean the pins and earpiece connectors inside the case. is.

This method can also be used when the charging port of the headphones is not working. The special cleaning brush is very convenient even when the USB-C or micro USB port is clogged with lint, so please try it.

If you use earphones or headphones while exercising, let them dry thoroughly before charging.

Even waterproof headphones and earphones should not be left wet for long periods of time, as water can get inside the battery or earphones. The life of the equipment will be shortened and the driver will be damaged.

For fully wireless earphones, be sure to dry them before putting them in the case (even for swimming). At this time, be careful not to let moisture get into the ear cups of the headphones or the nozzle part of the earphones.

If you take off your headphones while you're running, or if you don't have time to dry them out after using them in the gym, shake them gently to drain them. In addition, turn off the power before carrying it in a case or zip lock. If you leave it in a waterproof bag and put it in your gym wear pocket or sports bra, it may cause a malfunction.

Headphones do not dry out because moisture tends to accumulate in gym wear and sports bras. Therefore, when you go home, it is recommended that you wipe off the water on the earphones and dry them as described above before returning.

How to store headphones and earphones for a long time

Put it in a bag or case when not in use

It protects you from dirt and scratches. This is also recommended if you do not have the attached case. Don't forget to make sure it's the right size for your earphones before you buy.

Do not place it in a place that is extremely cold or hot

Do not place headphones or earphones in the sauna or car carrier. Especially those with a built-in battery. Also, do not store waterproof headphones in a humid place. You can remove water more effectively by using a silica gel pack.

Don't leave the charging port or battery supplies in place after charging

No matter how clean the headphones are, if the charging port and battery supplies are left unprotected, dust and other debris will invade through them. If your headphones only have a micro USB or USB-C port for charging, try cleaning the port as described above.

Also, if you use your headphones in the rain, make sure there is no water in the port before charging.

Don't wrap the wire around the body with it connected

If you wrap the wire around your cell phone while it is still connected, the outlet will bend at a steep angle and eventually come off the main unit. The correct way to wind the cable is to wrap it around your finger while making a circle without pulling it forcibly. If you don't like getting entangled, I think you should fix it with a fastener with a wire. If you don't have a fastener, a velcro cable tie is also useful.

When unplugging the earphones or charger, be sure to grab the outlet or the end of the cable.

If you pull the cable when you unplug the headphones / earphones from the device, the cable itself will be damaged and its life will be shortened. The same is true when you pull the wire earphones out of your ears, so don't pull on the cables. Especially if it is in a sealed state, the ears will be in a vacuum state, so pulling the cable and pulling it out will put a load on the ears. Instead, grab the earpiece and twist it outwards to remove it.

Please follow these guidelines and use your precious headphones and earphones for a long time.

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