If your AirPods have picked up dirt, dust, or other debris over time, it’s worth giving them a proper clean. Keeping the microphone and speaker openings clear directly affects how clear your calls and audio sound, and can even help resolve issues like muffled mic sound if debris is part of the problem.
This guide covers how to safely clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and EarPods, along with what to know about their water resistance.
How to Clean AirPods
- Never run your AirPods under water
- Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth for general cleaning
- If your AirPods come into contact with something that could stain or damage them, like soap, lotion, perfume, solvents, acidic foods, insect repellent, sunscreen, oil, or hair dye, wipe them with a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water, then dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth before using them again
- Don’t let any liquid get into the openings
- Avoid sharp objects or abrasive materials when cleaning
Clean the Case of Your AirPods
Clean the charging case with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, you can lightly dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Let the case dry fully afterward, and avoid abrasive materials that could scratch or damage it.
Clean Your AirPods Max and AirPods Pro
- Never run AirPods Max or AirPods Pro under water
- Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth for regular cleaning
- If exposed to anything that could cause staining or damage, wipe with a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water, then dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth, and let them fully dry before placing them back in the charging case
- Don’t let liquid get into the openings
- Clean the microphone and speaker mesh with a dry cotton swab
- Avoid sharp objects or abrasive materials
Clean the Case of Your AirPods Max or AirPods Pro
Clean the charging case with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol if needed. Let it dry fully afterward, and make sure no liquid gets into the charging ports.
A few more tips for the case specifically:
- Remove debris from the Lightning connector using a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush
- Avoid abrasive materials on the case
- Don’t insert anything into the charging ports, since this can damage the metal contacts
Clean the Ear Tips of Your AirPods Pro
- If water has collected in an ear tip, tap the AirPod against a soft, dry, lint-free cloth with the opening facing down to help it drain
- Remove the ear tips from each AirPod and rinse them with water only, avoiding soap or other household cleaners
- Wipe the ear tips with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, making sure they’re completely dry before reattaching
- Click the ear tips back into place, lining up the oval shape correctly before securing them
Keeping accessories like this clean matters for other microphone gear too, including a pop filter if you also use a dedicated recording mic.
Clean Your EarPods
- Never run EarPods under water
- Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth for cleaning
- Don’t let liquid get into the openings
- Gently clean the microphone and speaker mesh with a dry cotton swab, and remove debris with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush
- Avoid sharp objects or abrasive materials
AirPods Sweat and Water Resistance
The AirPods Pro, AirPods (3rd generation), and the MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation) are sweat and water resistant, but not waterproof. The MagSafe and Wireless Charging Cases for AirPods Pro are not water resistant at all, so be careful to keep moisture away from them. If a case comes into contact with liquid, dry it by placing it upside down with the lid open.
AirPods (1st and 2nd generation), their charging case, AirPods Max, and the AirPods Max Smart Case are not waterproof or water resistant in any capacity, so avoid getting moisture into any openings. If your AirPods come into contact with liquid, including sweat from a workout, wipe them down promptly with a dry microfiber cloth, and dry the case the same way, upside down with the lid open.
If your AirPods are damaged after exposure to liquid, a replacement may be available through Apple, either under warranty coverage or for an out-of-warranty fee depending on your specific situation. If a different microphone of yours gets wet rather than your AirPods, our guide on how to dry out a wet microphone covers safe drying methods.
Conclusion
AirPods are a worthwhile investment, but they do need occasional cleaning to maintain clear sound and reliable performance. Cleaning the microphone and case only takes a few minutes, and following the steps above should keep your AirPods working well for a long time.
For more on related microphone care and troubleshooting, see our guides on how to clean a microphone pop filter and how to test microphone on Windows 10.
