How to Clean Your AirPods Without Damaging Them

AirPods sit in your ears every day, which means they pick up earwax, sweat, and grime faster than most people realize. If sound has started feeling muffled or one AirPod seems quieter than the other, buildup in the speaker mesh is usually the culprit — and it’s fixable in a few minutes with the right approach.

This guide covers exactly how to clean every part of your AirPods safely, plus the mistakes that damage them.

Before You Start: What NOT to Do

A few common cleaning habits actually cause more harm than the dirt itself:

• Never run AirPods under water — they’re water-resistant, not waterproof. Water can reach internal components and cause permanent damage
• Don’t use sharp objects (pins, needles, paperclips) to dig out earwax — this scratches the casing or tears the speaker mesh
• Skip compressed air — the pressure can push debris deeper into the speaker or damage sensitive internals
• Avoid bleach or hydrogen peroxide — these are too harsh and can corrode the surface finish
• Don’t submerge or soak any part of your AirPods in liquid, even briefly

What You’ll Need

• A soft, lint-free microfiber cloth
• Dry cotton swabs
• A soft-bristled brush (an unused, soft toothbrush works well)
• 70% isopropyl alcohol (for the exterior only — never the mesh)

Step 1: Wipe Down the Exterior

Start with a dry microfiber cloth and wipe the entire surface of each AirPod — the stem, the body, and the case. This removes surface oils and loose dust before you move to more detailed cleaning, which prevents you from accidentally pushing grime deeper in later steps.

For areas with more buildup, lightly dampen the cloth with water — just barely damp, not wet — and wipe again. Dry immediately with a separate dry cloth.

Step 2: Clean the Speaker Mesh Carefully

This is the step that actually restores sound quality, and it needs the gentlest touch on the whole device.

1. Take a dry, soft-bristled brush
2. Gently brush the speaker mesh in small circular motions
3. Never press hard — the mesh is thin and can tear
4. A dry cotton swab can help reach small crevices around the mesh, but avoid pushing it directly into the holes

If wax is stuck and won’t brush away, try breathing lightly on the mesh first — the small amount of moisture from your breath can help loosen debris without introducing enough water to cause damage. Then brush again.

Step 3: Clean the Charging Case

The case collects lint and dust just as easily as the AirPods themselves, especially around the charging contacts.

1. Use a dry cotton swab to clean the inner rim where each AirPod sits
2. Gently clean around the metal charging contacts — avoid scrubbing, as these are delicate
3. Wipe the exterior with a lightly damp microfiber cloth, then dry immediately
4. For the charging port, a dry, soft brush works better than any liquid

Step 4: Clean the Ear Tips (AirPods Pro Only)

If you have AirPods Pro, the silicone ear tips can be removed for a more thorough clean:

1. Gently pull off each ear tip
2. Rinse with water only — no soap
3. Dry completely with a lint-free cloth
4. Let them air dry fully before reattaching — this can take a few hours

AirPods Max: A Slightly Different Process

Since AirPods Max have much more surface area (headband, ear cushions, mesh speakers), they need a bit more attention:

1. Wipe the headband and body with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, then dry
2. Remove the ear cushions if they’re detachable
3. Clean the cushions separately with a small amount of mild soap mixed in water, using a soft cloth — never soak them
4. Let cushions air dry completely before reattaching

Quick Reference Table

How Often Should You Clean Them?

For most people, a quick exterior wipe-down weekly and a deeper mesh cleaning every 2-3 weeks keeps sound quality consistent. If you exercise regularly or use AirPods in humid conditions, cleaning more frequently helps prevent buildup from affecting sound.

Prevention tip: Always store AirPods in their case when not in use, rather than loose in a pocket or bag — this alone significantly reduces how often deep cleaning is needed.

Still Sounds Muffled After Cleaning?

If you’ve cleaned the mesh thoroughly and sound is still muffled or one AirPod is noticeably quieter, the cause might not be dirt — it could be moisture trapped inside from sweat or accidental water exposure (rain, a splash, or humidity during a workout).

In that case, a manual cleaning won’t fully resolve it since the moisture is inside the speaker chamber, not just on the surface. MySpeakerFix.com uses calibrated sound frequencies to help eject trapped moisture from small speakers — while it’s built primarily for phone speakers, the same underlying principle of vibration-based water ejection applies to any small speaker dealing with trapped moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean AirPods with alcohol wipes? Yes, but only on the exterior surfaces — never on the speaker mesh or ear cushions, as alcohol can damage these more delicate materials.

Why does one AirPod sound quieter than the other? This is almost always caused by wax or debris buildup in one speaker mesh more than the other. Clean both meshes gently with a dry brush, and sound should even out.

Is it safe to clean AirPods every day? Daily deep cleaning isn’t necessary and can add unnecessary wear. A quick exterior wipe is fine daily if needed, but save mesh cleaning for every couple of weeks.

Can water damage fixed with sound wave tools work on AirPods too? The same principle (using vibration to push out trapped moisture) applies to small speakers generally, though tools built specifically for phone speakers may not be perfectly calibrated for AirPods’ smaller drivers. Manual drying and time are the safest first approach for AirPods specifically.

Final Thoughts

Most muffled or reduced AirPods sound comes down to simple wax and dust buildup — not a hardware problem. A gentle weekly wipe and occasional mesh cleaning with a dry brush keeps them sounding sharp for years. Just remember: no water submersion, no sharp tools, and always let anything damp dry fully before use.

Dealing with muffled sound on your phone too? Check out our guide on removing water from your phone speaker for the same kind of fix, built specifically for phones.