How to Clean Your AirPods Pro: One-Stop Guide

Check out these tips to clean your AirPods Pro and keep them gunk-free.

The AirPods Pro are distinguished from other AirPods models by their signature silicone ear tips.

Unfortunately, these additional ear tips make them even more prone to getting dirty because they must be pushed deeper into the ear canal.

Read on as we walk you through some tried-and-tested ways to clean your AirPods Pro and charging case.

What You Need When Cleaning AirPods Pro

Apple advises against using sharp objects or abrasive materials for cleaning, so it’s best to gather the correct supplies to avoid damaging your AirPods Pro. The recommended supplies include:

• Cotton swabs
• Dry lint-free cloth
• Soft toothbrush
• Isopropyl alcohol (preferably 70% alcohol)
• Warm water (for the ear tips)

How to Clean AirPods Pro Ear Tips

The best way to clean your AirPods Pro’s ear tips is to remove them from the AirPods and clean them separately.

Follow these steps to clean your AirPods Pro ear tips effectively:

1. Hold the base of each ear tip, and firmly but gently pull on it until it’s separated.
2. You can use a cotton swab that has been dampened with alcohol to remove any stubborn dirt.
3. Soak the removed ear tips in warm water for at least 1 minute.
4. Remove the ear tips from the water and wipe them dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Make sure to allow the ear tips to dry before placing them back on. While waiting, you can continue cleaning the other parts of your AirPods Pro.

How to Clean AirPods Pro: Earbuds & Mesh

Cleaning earwax and other debris off the earbuds and mesh of your AirPods Pro follows similar steps as cleaning standard AirPods, especially when the silicone tips are removed.

Here’s what to do:

1. Wipe your AirPods Pro with a clean, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Get a cotton swab and wet the tip with isopropyl alcohol. Use this to clean the gunk in the AirPods Pro’s earbuds and mesh.
   You can use a wooden toothpick to remove dirt from the crevices of your AirPods Pro that are harder to reach. However, be careful when using a toothpick, as it can tear the speaker mesh if used with force.
3. Use a soft toothbrush to reach the finer, more stubborn dirt or debris from each earbud. Remember to use this gently to avoid damaging the mesh.
4. Wipe your AirPods Pro dry with a lint-free cloth.

How to Clean AirPods Pro Case

Cleaning your AirPods Pro case helps prevent problems associated with debris blocking the contact points or the charging port, such as charging and resetting issues.

Follow these steps to clean your AirPods Pro case:

1. Wipe the outside of the charging case with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Use a cotton swab to remove dirt from inside the case. If this doesn’t work, lightly soak the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol to remove stubborn debris.
   Be cautious when cleaning near the case’s charging port to prevent any liquid from entering. You should also avoid blowing the dirt out, as this may introduce saliva particles that can wet the metal contact points.
3. Use a toothpick to reach the finer dirt stuck in the case’s crevices when you can’t remove it with a cloth. You may also use a soft toothbrush. However, be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the case.
4. Wipe the case dry with a lint-free cloth.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Your AirPods Pro

There are a few things you should avoid using when cleaning your AirPods Pro, as they can cause irreversible damage to your AirPods Pro and case.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do when cleaning your AirPods Pro:

• Use adhesive putty: Adhesive putty, such as Blu Tack, can push dirt and earwax deeper into your AirPods Pro instead of removing them. Blu Tacks can also break apart and get stuck inside the speaker mesh, creating a more stubborn blockade to clean off.
• Wash the AirPods with water: Your AirPods Pro are water-resistant, not waterproof. This means water can still get inside your AirPods Pro and damage the electronic components. Instead, it’s better to use alcohol for cleaning your AirPods Pro, as it evaporates faster and doesn’t leave traces of oil.

• Use abrasive materials: Pointy tools, especially metal ones, can easily scratch your AirPods Pro and damage their components. Harsh cleaning agents, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and strong alcohols, must also be avoided as they can degrade plastics.

3 Tips for Keeping Your AirPods Pro Clean

Keeping your AirPods Pro clean can prevent a variety of potential problems. Here are some tips to ensure your AirPods Pros are dirt-free:

• Regularly clean your AirPods Pro: Wiping your AirPods Pro and case after every use helps remove dirt before it builds up further. However, this cannot reverse the discoloration of your AirPods Pro and case. You should deep clean your AirPods Pro every 72 hours of accumulated use time to prevent staining.
• Observe proper ear hygiene: Keeping your ears clean prevents earwax buildup. The best way to do this is by putting a drop of earwax removal oil and letting it stay in each ear for around 4 minutes. Do this for two consecutive days, and you’ll notice less wax buildup the next time you use your AirPods Pro.
• Avoid sharing: Unfortunately, bacteria can hide in earwax, which tends to get stuck to the crevices of your AirPods Pro. Thus, sharing your AirPods Pro can also lead to sharing bacteria, leading to ear infections.
  If sharing AirPods is inevitable, ensure you disinfect your AirPods Pro before using them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can earwax ruin AirPods?
• What happens if I wash my AirPods?
• How often should I clean my AirPod Pro?

Can earwax ruin AirPods?

If left uncleaned, earwax debris can accumulate in the speaker mesh, which can muffle sound or make one side sound quieter. Additionally, earwax and other debris can clog the charging port or block the contact points in the case, thus causing issues with charging and resetting.

What happens if I wash my AirPods?

Your AirPod Pro only have an IP rating of IPX4. This means they can withstand sweat and splashes of water but they cannot survive being submerged underwater.

Nonetheless, you can still save your AirPods Pro when they get washed. You should use a lint-free cloth to dry the AirPods immediately and utilize the AirPods Pro’s water eject shortcut to push out water that may have gotten inside them.

How often should I clean my AirPod Pro?

You should deep clean your AirPods Pro every 72 hours of total use. This includes cleaning the ear tips, the speaker mesh and earbuds, and even the charging case. Doing so prevents dirt, earwax buildup, and potential staining or yellowing of the case and earbuds.