Headphones are a must-have piece of technology. With the rise of listening to music via phones, most people have one device that can play music.
However, not everyone has a pair of headphones so they can listen in private. Plus, they are great for working out, sleep, and other activities!
With the increase in use, headphone hygiene is becoming a bigger problem. People are reporting an increase in ear infections due to the lack of cleaning and drying of headphones.
How do you know if your headphones are clean? They have a mild plastic smell after being washed and dried properly!
To help you prevent headphone infection or bad smells, here is how to thoroughly clean your headphones. We will be using wireless over-the-ear headphones as an example, but this tip can be used for any type of headphones.
Put headphones in water and add cleaning product
If your headphones are in serious need of a cleaning, you can put them in water to do so. You will want to make sure the water is warm or cool, as hot water can potentially damage the components inside the headphones.
Then, add a small amount of cleaning solution to the inside of the headphones. Make sure to rub it in and around all parts that get dirty. Let them sit for a few hours or even overnight to fully dissolve and clean them.
Dry them off with a towel and let them sit for 24 hours before using them again. This is important to make sure they are fully dried out and do not have any lingering smells or germs.
This process can be done weekly or monthly depending on how often you use your headphones.
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Shake off water
If your headphones get wet, the first step is to shake off any water. You do this by pulling one earpiece off and shaking it like a towel.
Water will get into the inside part of the headphone, so more water needs to be shaken out. You can do this by holding one side and shaking it or pulling one side off and shaking it like a shoe.
If there is too much water, then let them dry for a few days before trying to use them again. The longer they dry, the less likely you are to get rid of the mold.
This is because mold grows in moisture, so letting them dry out gets rid of some of the moisture inside. Less moisture means less opportunity for mold to grow.
Dry them as much as possible before putting them in a bag or storage box with other things. This will help prevent getting other things wet.
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Dry gently with towel
Once you have washed your headphones, you will need to dry them. You can do this in a few ways, but the best way is with a towel.
Wrap your headphones in a damp towel and press out as much water as possible. Then, let them dry on their own or dry them with a hair dryer on a low heat setting.
If you are in a hurry, you can put them in the sun to speed up the drying process. Do not put them in the dryer, however!
This is why it is important to wash your headphones with soap or cleaning solution- so that they look and sound clean, and are more hygienic. Soap breaks down dirt and grime, making your headphones look and feel cleaner.
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Let dry completely before using again
Once you have washed your headphones, you must let them dry before using them again. You do not want wet materials sticking to your devices, so letting them dry completely is important.
The headphones can dry on a flat surface, or you can lay them across a towel to dry in the open air. A towel will also help to speed up the drying process.
Some people suggest placing dried headphones in the sun, but this is not recommended unless your headphones are waterproof. If they are not waterproof, the sunlight may damage the internal parts.
If you are unsure if your headphones are waterproof or not, check with the manufacturer to see if they offer water protection for use with your device.
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Use a dry paper towel to remove any dirt
Once you have removed the earpieces, you can take a dry paper towel or headphone cleaning cloth and wipe down the interior and exterior of the headphones.
Make sure to wipe down the wires as well as the inside of the casing that houses the wires. Pay special attention to any crevices where dirt and sweat may build up.
Pro tip: If your headphones are wireless, make sure to also clean the battery case and where the two pieces connect.
Dirt can also build up in these areas, so make sure to check them. TIP: Do not wash your headphones in water unless they are water-proof or water-resistant.
Apply a gentle soap or shampoo to the headphones and rub gently with your fingers
Soaps and shampoos are designed to clean hard surfaces like your headphones. Most people have access to soap or shampoo, so this is an easy product to acquire.
Most soaps and shampoos have a glycerin base that would stick to your headphones. This would not damage the headset, but it would be hard to rinse off.
The problem with rinsing soap off of headphones is that it may leave a film on the plastic or rubber. This would then create a new smell or texture on the headphone which is not desired.
It is important to be gentle when cleaning your headphones with soap as well. If you scrub them too hard, you may break the internal wires or dislodge parts of the device.
Rince properly and let air dry
Even if you thoroughly brush your headphones, they will still have some buildup. You can see this in the earpieces and around the wires.
To make sure your headphones look and feel like new, you need to clean them properly. You can do this by washing them or wiping them down. Either way, you want to make sure they are fully dried.
Wet headphones can lead to serious damage that is not easily repaired. The internal parts can rust and the plastic can break down more easily. This is not what you want!
So, how do you dry your headphones properly? Two easy ways! One, hang them up to dry. Two, lay them out on a paper towel to dry. This way all of the little bits of water can run off of them.
Store properly when not in use
Although it is simple to do, many people do not practice the art of headphone storage. If you do not have a dedicated place to store your headphones, try keeping them with your other music devices- laptop, phone, music player.
A quick way to ruin your headphones is to leave them tangled up. This can cause the wires inside to break or come out at the plug end.
To prevent this, every time you use them, take a few minutes to organize and store them in a safe place. A box, bag, or even a drawer will do!
If you do not have enough space for an extra drawer or box, then try hanging them on a hook or hanging them around your neck when not in use.
Another tip for storing headphones is to keep both earbuds together with a rubber band or string. This will prevent them from getting tangled with each other.
