How to Clean Your Wireless Headphones and Earpads

Earpads on headphones aren't just about comfort; they play a vital role in sound delivery. If neglected, the accumulated dirt can degrade the performance of your headphones, which could affect your overall listening experience. In a particularly humid climate, lack of proper care and cleaning can even lead to your earpads peeling. Proper care and cleaning aren't merely for cosmetic purposes; they are essential in helping keep your headphones in optimum condition, preserving both their appearance and functionality.

Tools Needed to Clean Your Headphones

Fortunately, cleaning your headphones doesn't require specialised equipment; you should be able to find everything you need around your house. The tools you’ll need to include a soft cloth, gentle soap, a small brush, cotton buds, paper towels, and an alcohol cleaning solution. 

Here’s how to clean in-ear and over-ear headphones:

How to Clean In-Ear Headphones and Earbuds

1. Wipe the Exterior: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior. For more stubborn dirt or earwax, use a gentle cleaning solution.
2. Remove Tips: Remove the silicone tips from your in-ear headphones. Use a cotton bud to wipe away any loose dirt or wax.
3. Rinse and Dry: Rinse the tips well with warm water and let them air dry on paper towels.
4. Clean the Mesh Cover: Use a soft, dry toothbrush to brush away any visible wax on the mesh cover gently.
5. Reattach the Ear Tips: For proper care, ensure that the silicone tips are completely dry before reattaching them. Any residual moisture could affect performance.

How to Clean Over-Ear Headphones

1. Wipe the Earpads: Start by wiping the earpads with a dry cloth to remove any surface dirt or debris.
2. Remove and Clean the Earpads: For a more thorough cleaning, remove the earpads and clean them with a damp cloth soaked in a mild soap solution. You may use cotton buds to clean the nooks and crevices.
3. Sanitise the Foam Mesh: Dab alcohol over the surface of the foam mesh and gently rub to dislodge dirt or grime.
4. Air Dry the Earpads: Leave the earpads to air dry completely on some paper towels.
5. Reattach the Earpads: Carefully reattach the earpads to your over-ear headphones, ensuring they are securely in place.

Storing your headphones carefully is as vital as cleaning them, especially if you want to keep them in top-notch condition. By shielding them from sunlight and placing them in a cool, dry place, you can prevent the earpads from peeling, a common issue caused by humid climates. For added protection against moisture, consider keeping them in a pouch with silica gel. By practising these care measures, you can significantly prolong your wireless headphones' life and performance.

Regular maintenance and proper care can go a long way in prolonging the life of your headphones, ensuring they provide the quality sound you love. However, if your current headphones are past their prime, it might be time for a much-needed upgrade. JBL's innovative true wireless Bluetooth headphones can help. Dive into audio nirvana with our latest launch — the JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds and JBL Tour One M2 headphones, both of which boast adaptive noise-cancelling and spatial audio features you’ll love.