Dirty AirPods are more than a cosmetic problem. Earwax and debris clog the speaker mesh, muffle audio quality, and can even cause one AirPod to sound quieter than the other. A 10-minute cleaning session restores sound clarity and extends the life of a $170–$249 device.
This guide covers how to clean every model — AirPods 1st/2nd/3rd gen, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max — plus the charging case, without damaging any components.
What You Need Before You Start
You don't need any special products. Everything required is likely already at home:
- Dry lint-free cloth (microfiber works best)
- Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
- Soft-bristle toothbrush (an old one is fine)
- Isopropyl alcohol 70% (optional — for stubborn grime on the case exterior)
- Blu-Tack / sticky putty (optional — excellent for pulling wax from mesh)
- Toothpick (optional — for stuck debris in crevices)
What NOT to use:
- Running water or submerging in liquid (even the water-resistant Pro models)
- Compressed air blown directly into speaker mesh (can push wax deeper)
- Hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or any abrasive cleaner
- Sharp metal objects near the mesh grilles
How to Clean AirPods (Standard — 1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen)
Standard AirPods have a speaker mesh at the top and a microphone mesh lower on the stem. Both collect debris over time.
Step 1: Wipe Down the Body
Use a dry lint-free cloth and wipe the entire body of each AirPod. Get the stem, the smooth plastic body, and around the speaker opening at the top. Avoid pressing fabric into the mesh opening.
Step 2: Clean the Speaker Mesh
This is where earwax accumulates. Do NOT use a wet cotton swab here — moisture and speaker components don't mix.
Best method: Take a small piece of Blu-Tack or sticky putty, press it gently against the speaker mesh, then peel it away. It lifts wax out of the mesh without pushing it deeper. Repeat until the mesh looks clear.
Alternative: Use a clean, dry soft-bristle toothbrush to brush the mesh in light circular strokes. This loosens debris without introducing moisture.
Step 3: Clean the Microphone Mesh
The microphone opening is the smaller mesh on the stem. Use the same dry brush technique — light strokes, no liquid. A toothpick can carefully dislodge any visible debris around the edges, but don't poke into the mesh itself.
Step 4: Clean the Stem and Sensor
Wipe down the stem with your lint-free cloth. The optical sensor (the small dark window on the inner side of the stem) can be gently wiped with a dry cloth — don't use any liquid near it.
How to Clean AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro have removable silicone ear tips, which makes deep cleaning easier and more important — wax accumulates both on the tip and in the speaker mesh underneath.
Step 1: Remove the Ear Tips
Pull the silicone ear tips straight off. They grip the speaker housing with a click — pull firmly but straight, not at an angle.
Step 2: Wash the Ear Tips
Rinse the removed silicone tips under fresh water only — no soap, no alcohol. Use your fingers to gently rub away any wax or debris. Dry them completely with a lint-free cloth and leave them to air dry for at least 30 minutes before reattaching. Never reattach wet ear tips.
Step 3: Clean the Speaker Mesh (With Tips Removed)
With the ear tips off, you have clear access to the speaker mesh. Use the Blu-Tack method: press lightly onto the mesh, pull away. Repeat. This removes wax that has passed through the tip and reached the mesh.
Do not use water on the speaker mesh. Do not blow into it.
Step 4: Clean the Body and Microphones
Follow the same steps as standard AirPods — dry lint-free cloth on the body, dry soft brush on the microphone meshes on the stem.
Step 5: Reattach the Ear Tips
Press the ear tip back on straight until it clicks into place. Make sure the oval shape aligns with the speaker housing.
How to Clean AirPods Max
AirPods Max have a different design — over-ear cushions, a mesh headband, and much larger ear cups. Apple provides specific guidance for these.
Ear Cushions
The ear cushions are magnetic and detach by pressing the cushion inward and rotating. Remove them before cleaning.
Wipe the cushions with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with fresh water. For stubborn stains, use a cloth dampened with a small amount of dish soap diluted in water. Wipe down, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth, then dry.
Let the cushions air dry completely before reattaching.
Headband
The mesh headband cannot be removed. Clean it with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water. For stains, you can use a very small amount of isopropyl alcohol 70% on the cloth — not applied directly to the headband.
Ear Cup Surfaces
Wipe the exterior plastic and metal surfaces with a dry lint-free cloth. Use a soft brush for the speaker grille areas on the inside of the ear cups.
How to Clean the AirPods Charging Case
The case gets dirtier than most people realize — pocket lint, dust, and skin oils accumulate inside the charging wells and around the hinge.
Step 1: Clean the Interior Wells
Use a dry cotton swab to wipe inside the charging wells where each AirPod sits. These wells have charging contacts at the bottom — wipe carefully around them but don't bend or scratch the metal contacts.
A soft-bristle toothbrush works well for the recessed areas that a cotton swab can't reach.
Step 2: Clean the Charging Contacts
The metal contacts (two small gold dots in each well) transfer charge to the AirPods. If they look grimy, wipe them very gently with a dry cotton swab. Don't apply any liquid to the contacts.
Step 3: Clean the Exterior
Wipe the outside of the case with a lint-free cloth. For scuffs or stuck grime on the plastic or MagSafe exterior, a cloth lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol works well. Apply alcohol to the cloth, not directly to the case.
Step 4: Clean the Hinge and Lightning/USB-C Port
Use a dry toothpick to carefully clear any lint from the charging port. Don't insert anything metallic. For the hinge, a dry soft-bristle toothbrush removes dust from the crevices.
Why One AirPod Sounds Quieter Than the Other
This is almost always a wax clog in the speaker mesh. Before booking a repair or replacement:
- Remove the ear tip (Pro models) and clean the mesh thoroughly with the Blu-Tack method
- For standard AirPods, press a small piece of Blu-Tack onto the speaker mesh, pull away — you'll often see wax on the putty after a single press
- Repeat 3–5 times until the mesh looks clear
In most cases, this fully restores equal audio balance between both AirPods. If the volume difference persists after cleaning, check your device's audio balance setting: Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual → Balance.
How Often Should You Clean AirPods?
| Usage | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Daily use, long sessions | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Casual use (few hours/week) | Once a month |
| Gym / sweaty workouts | After every session |
| Shared AirPods | Before and after each use |
The charging case can be cleaned monthly or whenever you notice lint buildup in the wells.
Quick Reference: What's Safe and What Isn't
| ✅ Safe | ❌ Avoid |
|---|---|
| Dry lint-free cloth | Running water on AirPods body |
| Dry soft-bristle toothbrush | Compressed air into mesh |
| Blu-Tack / sticky putty on mesh | Soap, bleach, or abrasive cleaners |
| 70% isopropyl alcohol on case exterior | Alcohol near speaker or mic mesh |
| Fresh water rinse on silicone ear tips only | Metal tools near mesh grilles |
| Dry cotton swab on charging wells | Wet swab near speaker or contacts |
Clean AirPods last longer, sound better, and stay hygienic. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and needs no special equipment. For more tech how-to guides, browse the Humbaa AI tools directory or read our guide on how to delete your Google history.