How to Clean an Aux Cord

Aux cords can get dirty over time and form a crackly or muted connection with a device. It's important to keep your aux cord clean so you can continue to hear your favorite music and videos. Fortunately, aux cords are super easy to keep...

Wiping the Plug Clean

Unplug the aux cord from the jack if it's connected to a power source. Make sure there isn't any electricity flowing through the cord so you don't accidentally shock yourself while you're cleaning it. Grab hold of the end of the aux cord where it's plugged into the device and gently pull it out.^{[1] X Research source}
1. Avoid yanking the cord when you disconnect it or you could damage the plug or the audio jack on the device.
Wipe the plug with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt. Take a clean microfiber cloth and give the end of the plug a really good wipedown to get rid of any dust, dirt, or grime on the surface. Work the cloth into the ridges to pick up as much dust and dirt as you can.^{[2] X Research source}
1. A microfiber cloth won't scratch or damage the surface of the plug.
Dip a clean cloth into 99% isopropyl alcohol to cut through grime. Take a dry, clean cloth and add a small amount of strong isopropyl alcohol to a section of it. Rub the plug of the aux cord with the damp cloth to cut through stubborn grime or buildup on the surface and clean it thoroughly.^{[3] X Research source}
1. Use 99% isopropyl alcohol, which safely breaks up dirt and grime on metal better than other cleaning solutions. You can find it at hardware stores, department stores, cleaning supply stores, and by ordering it online.
Rub the plug with a pencil eraser if there's tarnish. If the plug of your aux cord has rust or tarnish collected on the plug, take a clean pencil eraser and gently rub the entire surface of the plug to remove it. Avoid applying too much pressure so you don't bend the plug. Pay extra attention to the ridges and creases on the plug, where rust and tarnish like to collect.^{[4] X Research source}
1. Avoid using a liquid tarnish remover, which may strip the plug and damage it.
Alternative: If you don't have a pencil eraser, use a large art gum eraser to remove tarnish from the plug.
Make sure the plug is dry before you put it into an audio jack. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, but if the surface of the plug is still damp, take a dry cloth or use a dry section of the cloth you already used and run it over the plug to pick up any moisture from the surface. Check the plug with your finger to make sure it's dry before you plug it in.^{[5] X Research source}

Removing Dirt and Debris from the Jack

Power off the device before you clean the jack. Before you start cleaning or sticking anything into the audio jack, unplug the aux cord, and make sure the device is completely turned off so you don't accidentally shock yourself. If the device is plugged into a wall outlet, unplug it.^{[6] X Research source}
Blow 3-4 short bursts of compressed air into the jack. Take a can of air duster and hold the end near the opening of the jack. Use short bursts of compressed air to blow dust, dirt, and debris out of it.^{[7] X Research source}
1. 3-4 short bursts should do the trick.
2. You can find compressed air dusters at electronics stores and department stores, or by ordering it online.
Insert a cotton swab into the jack to wipe down the inside. Take a clean, dry cotton swab and gently swirl it around inside of the jack to remove dust, dirt, and grime built up on the surface. When you're finished, remove the cotton swab and check for any fibers that you left behind. If there are fibers or threads stuck in the jack, use compressed air to blow them out.^{[8] X Research source}
1. Don't use a damp or an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or you could damage the jack.
Alternative: If you can't use a cotton swab, try using a pipe cleaner instead.
Wrap tape around a paperclip and use it to pull out debris stuck in the jack. Take a standard paperclip and unbend it until it's a straight wire. Then, take a small strip of clear tape and wrap it around the end of the paperclip so the sticky side is facing out. Gently insert the end of the paperclip with the sticky clear tape until it touches the back end of the jack. Roll the tape around inside of the jack to collect any stubborn bits of dust and debris from the surface. Then, remove the paperclip from the jack and dispose of the dirty tape.^{[9] X Research source}
1. Don't use duct tape or electrical tape, which may leave a sticky residue inside of the jack.