How to Clean Your Headphones and Earbuds
Building up a collection of music should be a joy, NOT a chore, and this includes doing the regular cleaning of your headphones. Because remember: Music is Good For You! So let’s make sure your gear is right for you too.
I spend A LOT of time on planes, trains, and automobiles (usually in economy class) and as a result I have spent thousands of hours listening to my headphones. I have used pretty much all headphone types over the years, and I have found that a good pair of headphones is essential for my job, but they are also necessary for my overall health. The Best Headphones for Audiophiles are often the most overlooked.
There are many reasons why headphones are essential to me and you will find many of the benefits below, but the number one reason that I will always come back to is that music is a fantastic tool for healing. Music has been used as a healing tool since time immemorial, and scientific studies have shown that music affects our brain chemistry in many positive ways. That being said, our brain chemistry is fragile and we need to take care of it. So let’s get started and clean your headphones!
How do you know if your headphones need to be cleaned
First, how do you know if your headphones need to be cleaned? You can tell if your headphones need to be cleaned by the smell the first time that you put them on. If you have a constant headache, ear pain, or if you just have a weird feeling in your head after wearing your headphones, then you know that they are dirty. If they smell like smoke, pets, or even worse, mold, then I would recommend a deep clean.
The most important thing to remember when cleaning your headphones is that you can’t clean what you can’t see. If you have ever had mold grow in your home then you know that it is invisible to the naked eye. The same holds true for your headphones, so get out a flashlight and make sure that you get in between all of the cracks and crevices on your headphones.
Now that we have covered the basics of cleaning your headphones let’s get to the nitty gritty…
Why Clean Your Headphones?
There are a number of reasons why you should clean your headphones. The most important reason is that they will last longer. When you take good care of your headphones, they will last for years and not months.
The second reason is that you will get more out of them. If your headphones are clean, then you will be able to listen more effectively and you will enjoy it more.
The third reason is that cleaning your headphones will help the environment. We all know the impact that disposable plastics have on our environment and by cleaning your headphones more often, we can all do our part.
The fourth reason is that you will be protecting yourself from harmful germs and bacteria. If your headphones are dirty, then they are going to give you a headache or ear pain. If they are too dirty then you could even suffer from an infection in your ear canal from bacteria or mold!
The fifth reason is that it is easier to maintain a good pair of headphones than it is to replace them. It seems like every time I buy a new pair of headphones, I regret it. I always find that I wish that I had taken better care of my old headphones.
The point is, don’t throw out your old headphones. Clean them and keep them!
How do you Clean Over-the-Ear Headphones?
Before you start: You will need a bottle of rubbing alcohol, several clean rags or paper towels, and a small container. I also recommend wearing gloves when cleaning your headphones with alcohol.
- ✓ Step 1: Unplug all of the cords from the back of the ear cups and set them aside.
- ✓ Step 2: Remove the ear cushions from the ear cups and set them aside.
- ✓ Step 3: Spray the alcohol on a rag or paper towel and wipe the ear cup clean. Hold your finger over one of the holes in the ear cup to let any excess alcohol drain.
- ✓ Step 4: Wipe the ear cushion with a clean rag or paper towel.
- ✓ Step 5: Reassemble your headphones and wipe the inside of the case with a clean rag or paper towel. You can also add a few drops of alcohol to the inside of the case to make sure that it is clean.
How do you Clean In-Ear Headphones?
Before you start: You will need a bottle of rubbing alcohol, several clean rags or paper towels, and a small container. I also recommend wearing gloves when cleaning your headphones with alcohol.
- ✓ Step 1: Unplug all of the cords from the back of the earbuds and set them aside.
- ✓ Step 2: Remove the earbuds from the case and set them aside.
- ✓ Step 3: Spray the alcohol on a rag or paper towel and wipe the earbuds clean. Hold your finger over one of the holes in the ear bud to let any excess alcohol drain.
- ✓ Step 4: Wipe the earbuds with a clean rag or paper towel. Make sure that every part is completely dry before reassembling them in their case. If they are not dry, then they could mold and really stink up your ears! Be sure to dry out every part in between every crevice on your headphones.
How do you Clean the Case?
Before you start: You will need a bottle of rubbing alcohol, several clean rags or paper towels, and a small container. I also recommend wearing gloves when cleaning your headphones with alcohol.
- ✓ Step 1: Remove the ear cushions from the case and set them aside.
- ✓ Step 2: Spray the alcohol on a rag or paper towel and wipe the case clean. Hold your finger over one of the holes in the case to let any excess alcohol drain.
- ✓ Step 3: Wipe the ear cushions with a clean rag or paper towel.
- ✓ Step 4: Reassemble your headphones and wipe the inside of the case with a clean rag or paper towel. You can also add a few drops of alcohol to the inside of the case to make sure that it is clean.
Hygiene tips for wearing headphones
The most important part of cleaning your headphones is cleaning, but there are some general hygiene precautions that you should take when using your headphones.
Make sure that your ears are completely dry before using your headphones. I always wait at least 5 minutes before putting my earphones in my ears after taking a shower. If you are not completely dry, then your earphones could get wet and mold.
When you are done with your headphones, wipe them off with a clean rag and leave them out to dry for at least 15 minutes before putting them away.
Make sure that your headphones are completely dry before you put them away in their case. If you put them out while they are still wet, then mold will grow inside of the case and ruin them!
If you will not be using your headphones for a while, then I would recommend that you remove the ear cushions from the ear cups and store them separately, making sure that they do not get mold or mildew.
If you are on an airplane, then I would recommend that you remove your earbuds from the case and put them in a separate plastic bag, preventing them from getting wet if there is a leak in the plane.
Think about what you are using on your headphones. If you put on perfume or cologne before you use your headphones, then you could transfer the scent to your ears and cause an allergic reaction. I recommend that you wash your hands before you put on your headphones to make sure that they are clean.
If you have a cold or any illness that causes congestion, then I would recommend that you do not use your headphones until your ears are ultimately better.
After reading this article, I now hope you now know how to clean your headphones and how to keep your headphones in perfect condition with a constant high quality.