Have you ever really scrutinized your headphones? If yes, then you must have observed unsightly dirt and a pungent stench hanging onto the earpads. The odor is typically given off from long-standing sweat accumulated in the leather earpads of your over-ear headphones. Fortunately, you don't have to discard the device just yet; all you have to do is give them a thorough cleaning!
Wireless headphones are an everyday part of your life, and they should be kept hygienic just like other personal items you use frequently. Aside from the stink emanating from the device, the accumulated dirt can reduce sound quality and ultimately shorten their lifespan.
This is especially degrading if they are gaming headphones or music headphones, as the poor sound spoils your music and gaming experience.
Are you convinced that your headphones need a thorough cleaning now? If yes, read on for a step-by-step guide to keeping your headphones clean and long-lasting.
Important Tools
- Soap
- Water
- Non-abrasive or microfiber cloth
- Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
- Cotton buds
- Adhesive
Method
Whether you own luxurious or cheap wireless headphones, these four simple steps will not only make them clean but will also restore them to optimum function.
1.Disassemble the Headphones Ear Pads
Start by separating the ear pads from the rest of the equipment. Don't worry; this is easy to do. The technique is universal, i.e., it can be applied to various kinds of headphones, including, but not limited to, studio headphones, PS5 headphones or Xbox One headphones.
2.Remove the ear pads and set them aside.
Mix some warm water and skin-friendly dish soap in a bowl.
Wring out as much water as possible from the cloth, then use it to wipe the outer surface of the device.
When you're fully satisfied that you've reached all the important corners, wipe away any wetness and let the headphone sit out to dry fully.
3.Disinfect the Exterior Components
The next step is to remove microbes that might have grown in the dirty environs that are your headphones. To do this:
- Wet a small cloth with some disinfectant. You may substitute with hand sanitizer or other alcohol based products if you don't have a disinfectant.
- Gently clean the outer surfaces of the ear pads and the entire body of the device.
- Next, dip a cotton bud into the disinfectant and then use it to clean hard-to-reach corners of the ear pads.
Although these three easy steps are all you'd have to do for normal headphones, keep in mind that special types like wired headphones with mic and wired over-ear headphones may require further attention, i.e., wiping down their respective attachments.
4.Remove Caked-on Dirt
Pour more rubbing alcohol or disinfectant on the foam mesh of the headphones and rub together to remove caked-on dirt and germs. Let the earpads air out and completely dry before reassembling them.
5.Use a Vacuum Cleaner For A Deep Clean
If you still observe dirt in the headphones after doing all of the above, try a hearing aid vacuum. The handy tool is a vacuum system for hearing aids, but they can also efficiently draw out longstanding earwax and dirt.
There you have the perfect cleaning routine for your headphones in 4 easy steps. However, in addition to frequent cleanup, there are a few other steps that you must do to keep your headphones in tip-top shape for a very long time. Some of them are:
- After cleaning, ensure that you wipe the headphones so that they are completely dry. If the moisture sits for too long, it may damage the device.
- Don't apply harsh chemicals to your device, and only use skin-friendly soap to avoid irritating the skin of your ears.
- Keep your wireless headphones on a headphone stand. They are cheap and will keep your beloved device away from materials like water that may damage it.
- Keep the headphones in a case when they're not in use to prevent the accumulation of dust.
- Keep your ears if you want to cut back on frequently cleaning your headphones.
Conclusion
Don't let those good earphones go to waste. Instead, give them a deep cleaning using the simplified guide above, and you'll be amazed at how they sound like new again.
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