How to Clean the Headphone Jack

Use a compressed air spray

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Buy a compressed air sprayer. You can buy compressed air sprays at technology stores or on e-commerce platforms. Compressed air spray cans are also used to clean dust from computer parts, so look for them at places that sell computer parts. Compressed air is less likely to damage the jack because you're essentially just putting air in there.

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Aim the spray nozzle at the headphone jack. Spray air into the hole located right next to the jack. Some types also come with a small spray nozzle right on the bottle mouth. You will easily insert the spray nozzle into the jack and direct the airflow into this small hole.

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Start spraying. Press the button at the top of the compressed air bottle to start spraying. You only need to spray once or twice, and the debris inside the jack will fall out.

Clean with a cotton swab

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Buy cotton swabs. You can find it at department stores or places that sell health and beauty products. Choose one with a less ruffled tip so the cotton fibers don't get stuck inside the jack. A small tip cotton swab will easily go inside the jack and clean more effectively.

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Remove some cotton from the tip of the toothpick. Tear or trim the tip of the stick so that the cotton ball is as close to the toothpick as possible. Thus, the tip of the toothpick will fit into the headphone jack.

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Swab a cotton swab in the jack. Be careful to avoid jamming the cotton tip in the jack. You need to gently push the tip of the cotton swab into the hole until the tip is deep in the jack. Rotate the toothpick to clean nooks and crannies inside the jack. After you pull out the cotton swab, most of the dirt will fall out.

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Use rubbing alcohol. For stubborn debris, you can apply a little rubbing alcohol to the tip of a cotton ball. You need to dip the cotton swab so that it is just damp, not soaking wet or dripping. Remember to squeeze the cotton wool to drain it, then put the tip of the cotton swab back into the jack and rotate.

Rubbing alcohol can corrode metal, so use sparingly.

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Dry the jack with a clean cotton swab. Rubbing alcohol will dry quickly. However, you should soak up any remaining moisture to minimize surface contact with the solution. Insert a clean cotton swab into the jack, let it sit for a moment, then rotate it back and forth to absorb the alcohol.

Use a straight paper clip

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Bend a paper clip straight. Once the paperclip is straightened, you can use it to remove debris from the jack. However, metal can still scratch the inside surface of the jack.

You can also use a toothpick, but the sharp tip will still scratch the inside surface of the jack.

Needles are also useful for reaching lint and large debris, but the sharp metal tip can easily scratch the jack so you should only use it in cases where there is no other way.

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Wrap tape around the end of the paperclip. You need to use stationery grade tape (small size). Wrap the tape tightly around the end of the paper clip that you straightened. Before use, check to make sure the tape is tightly wound and has not come loose.

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Gently insert the end of the tape into the jack. Slowly slide the tape into place and approach any debris you see. Note: do not press too deeply. The tape now acts as a dust roller, you will be able to remove debris and lint stuck inside the jack.

Micah Soto

Update 08 November 2023