How to clean AirPods: Your simple guide

Why you can trust our guide on how to clean AirPods 

A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of tech cleaning hacks. However, we hate to break it to you, but the internet is overflowing with bad advice, especially when it comes to how to clean AirPods. Some articles will tell you to clean your AirPods with toothpaste – please don’t – while others will urge you to stick needles into the speaker grill – also not a good idea.  

At Back Market, we’ve seen it all and fixed the damage in our refurbishing department, so we know the dos and don’ts of how to clean your AirPods safely. Our tech professionals spend countless hours refurbishing Apple AirPods, which means we’ve learned the safest and most effective ways to clean them. 

Our team handles everything from earbud sanitising to case deep-cleaning with tools that won’t destroy delicate components. So, whether you’re cleaning for hygiene, resale value, or just because you’re tired of your AirPods looking gross, we’re here to help with tried-and-tested advice that actually works. 

How to clean your AirPods so they look shiny and new  

Cleaning your Apple AirPods isn’t as hard as you might think. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process before you attempt this task yourself: 

1. Use a soft, dry brush on the speaker mesh. 

2. Then, you’ll wipe down the outside with a microfiber cloth. 

3. With the AirPods cleaned, it's time to clean the case separately and with extra care. 

Along with these tips, it’s also important to avoid getting liquids inside any ports or speaker openings and avoid compressed air and sharp tools. Otherwise, you’re ready to get started. Our team has designed each step to help you maintain the performance and cleanliness of your AirPods without risking damage. 

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your AirPods 

If you want to clean your AirPods without risking breaking them, it's best to follow the instructions given by tech experts like us at Back Market. Below, we’ve put together four simple steps detailing how to clean AirPods without breaking them or incurring unnecessary expenses.  

1. Use a soft, dry brush to clean the speaker mesh

For the first step, you’ll need a soft, dry brush, like a soft-bristled toothbrush. With this brush, you'll need to gently brush across the speaker mesh in small circles. When doing this, it's essential not to press down but instead to lightly brush across the mesh in a circular motion to dislodge any buildup.  

After lightly brushing the mesh, if there appears to still be buildup, flip the AirPods upside down and tap them gently to release any loose debris.  

Pro tip: When brushing the mesh, it can be tempting to poke it with needles, toothpicks, or paper clips, but this is a big no-no. Not only can you push the wax or debris further into the AirPods, but you also risk puncturing and damaging the mesh.  

2. Wipe down the AirPods with a microfiber cloth 

Once you have cleaned the mesh, which is honestly the most challenging part, you can then use a microfiber cloth to wipe down and clean the outside of the AirPods. This type of cloth prevents scratches and is gentle on your headphones.  

If you encounter sticky parts or smudges, you can wet the corner of the microfiber cloth with water and wipe the residue off, but just be careful not to get the speaker area wet. You also must make sure you dry the AirPods thoroughly with a clean, dry section of the cloth so that no moisture is left behind when you put them back in their case.  

Tip: Avoid compressed air and sharp tools 

We get it – it's tempting to take the easy way out when it comes to cleaning your AirPods, blasting away dust and debris with compressed air or scraping out the last bit of wax with a sharp object, but don’t do it. 

This is a surefire way to damage your AirPods since compressed air can damage the sensitive internals, and sharp tools can permanently scratch the casing or rip the speaker mesh. So, stick to soft tools, and you’ll be okay.  

Tip: Disinfect gently using isopropyl alcohol (optional) 

Sometimes, a simple wipe down with a bit of water isn’t enough to make it feel like AirPods have been cleaned properly. In these cases, you can take it a step further. This is optional: you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol on a slightly dampened cotton pad to wipe the plastic surfaces of your AirPods.  

However, it's important that you never touch the speaker grills or charging contacts with this solution, as it can damage the device. Even though alcohol dries quickly, it can damage the internals if it seeps into the wrong place.  

Pro tip: Clean your AirPods once a week for better results, especially after workouts or travel days. Cleaner earbuds equal clearer sound and fewer germs. 

Step-by-step: How to clean your AirPods case 

Now that you know how to clean your AirPods, it's a good idea to understand how to clean the casing, as well. Below are a few simple steps you’ll need to follow:  

1. Wipe the exterior: Use the same microfiber cloth you used before, but a different section of it, and lightly dampen it with water. Then, wipe the outer casing to remove grime, but dry it off immediately.  

2. Clean the inside: Use a dry cotton swab or a soft brush like the one you used earlier to remove debris from the inner rim and charging bay. Be gentle around the metal charging contacts, and do not scrub or swipe too vigorously.  

3. Disinfect without soaking: If you want to ensure the case is disinfected, you can take your cleaning routine a step further by applying 70% isopropyl alcohol to a cloth (not directly to the case) and wiping the outer shell. If you decide to do this, try to avoid dripping any liquid near the lid hinge or port openings.  

4. Remove lint from the charging ports: If the case has pocket lint, gently (and gently is the key word here) use a toothpick or antistatic brush to clean it out. But make sure you don’t dig too deep and never use metal. 

How to keep AirPods clean longer

In our opinion, preventing dirt buildup is easier than scrubbing it off. Here’s how to keep your AirPods fresh and clean: 

• Store them in their case whenever they’re not in use. 

• Avoid tossing them unprotected into pockets or bags. 

• Clean your ears (yes, we went there). 

• Wipe them quickly with a dry cloth after each use. 

• Don’t use them for sweaty workouts unless you have covers or waterproof alternatives. 

When clean just isn’t clean enough, invest in refurbished AirPods 

Based on varying reports, Apple AirPods last between two and three years on average, and if you take good care of them, maybe longer. However, if you’ve been caring for your AirPods and they just don't seem to be clean enough, or if cleaning them made you realise it's time for something new, it might be time to invest in a refurbished set.  

At Back Market, we sell quality refurbished Apple AirPods of every type, so you’ll be spoiled for choice if you choose refurbished. You can also rest assured that your AirPods will meet high-quality standards since we test, clean, and repair every set before it's sold to ensure it's in premium working condition.  

In addition, we provide a one-year warranty and a 30-day guarantee on our AirPods. And do you know what makes the deal even sweeter? You’ll pay much less for a refurbished set than you would for a brand-new pair.  

Thinking of upgrading your AirPods? Trade in and trade up 

If cleaning your AirPods helped – but not enough – it might be time to trade them in for a newer pair. No matter what your reason for trading up, whether your battery life is fading or you're eyeing features like noise cancellation and spatial audio, Back Market makes it easy to upgrade without tossing your old tech. 

With our trade-in program, you can turn your used AirPods into cash or credit toward something refurbished and new to you.  

When you choose our trade-in program, you’ll get: 

• Fast online estimates. 

• Free-of-charge, hassle-free shipping. 

• Up to £800.00 in trade-in credit (depending on device). 

With our trade-in program, you can upgrade without experiencing any stress, whether you’re eyeing AirPods Pro, AirPods 3rd Gen, or another brand entirely. 

Price table 

If you’ve decided to buy a pair of AirPods to replace the ones you have now, the price table below might help you in your search. You’ll notice that Back Market has the best prices with its refurbished tech:  

*prices are subject to change 

Final thoughts  

Keeping your set of AirPods clean isn’t just about their appearance. It’s also about the sound quality you enjoy, hygiene, and longevity. After all, the cleaner you keep your AirPods, the longer they will last. A weekly wipe-down and quick mesh brushing go a long way.  

However, if your AirPods are still struggling after a deep clean, consider trading them in for a professionally refurbished pair from Back Market. With a set of AirPods from Back Market, you’ll save money, reduce e-waste (have a look at our commitment to the environment).