How to Clean AirPods

Cleaning Off Dirt and Dust

1. 
   Wipe down your AirPods with a microfiber cloth. Don't use a regular cloth or rag or you could damage the polish on your AirPods.^[1] Microfiber cloths are also better at picking up small particles than regular cloths.^[2] Hold the microfiber cloth in your hand and gently bring it over the entire surface of each AirPod.
2. 
   Use a cotton swab to wipe off hard-to-reach areas. Hold the cotton swab in your hand and gently rub the soft end through the small cracks and crevices on your AirPods. Carefully wipe over the speaker grills to remove any dust or wax that's built up on them. Don't push too hard on the speaker grills or you could damage them.^[3]
3. 
   Rub away dirt and grime spots with a pencil eraser. Place the eraser on the spot you want to remove and gently rub the eraser back and forth. Once the spot is gone, wipe off any leftover eraser shavings with the microfiber cloth.^[4]
4. 
   Brush the speaker grills with an anti-static brush. If you don't have an anti-static brush, you can use the bristles on a clean, dry toothbrush instead. Use the bristles on the anti-static brush to brush away dust, dirt, or wax that's stuck in the speaker grills. Use a gentle brushing motion so you don't damage the grills.^[5]
5. 
   Use a damp microfiber cloth as a last resort. If your AirPods haven't been cleaned in a while, you may need to use a little bit of water to remove tough dirt and grime spots. Add a drop or two of distilled water onto a microfiber cloth so that it's barely wet. Then, rub the damp part of the cloth over the surface of your AirPods. Don't let the wet part of the cloth make contact with the speaker grills or moisture could get inside of them.^[6]

   1. Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water has minerals that can damage the polish on your AirPods.