How to Fully Clean an AirPods Case Without Damaging Them

Keeping your AirPods case clean can help your Apple gear look and perform like new. A quick, thorough cleaning of your AirPods case will extend the life of your gear, get rid of stuck debris, and eliminate bacterial growth. This can easily be done at home. This wikiHow will show you how to properly clean the inside and outside of your AirPods case.

Things You Should Know

Use a soft and dry microfiber cloth to clean the outside of the case. For stubborn dirt, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol.
A toothbrush can be used to clean the Lightning port, and cotton swabs can give you more accuracy.
Never insert anything into the charging port of the case; this can damage the metal contacts needed for charging.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Inside of the Case

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Keeping these grooves clean will keep your case looking new. Dampen your swab with a little isopropyl alcohol, as necessary. Don’t use enough to soak the cotton, as you do not want drips falling into the electronics of the case. You can gently work wax and dust from these difficult areas with a swab that is only lightly dampened.
2
Use a toothpick to work on more stubborn grime. This is where bacteria can really get a foothold. A plastic or wooden toothpick should really help you to clean out the cracks and fissures in the case, especially around the lid. Patiently work the waxy buildup free gradually without applying too much force. Here are a few other useful tools that will help you keep your AirPods case looking and charging like new:
- Tape or 'tack. Use either one to pull dirt, lint, and wax buildup free; if you’re using tape, use a good-quality product that will not leave behind adhesive. Press the piece of tape or lump of tack firmly into grooves to pull wax and general buildup from the cracks on the lid and top of the case.
- A soft eraser. Use it to rub stubborn stains and dirt away.
- A soft toothbrush. Only use soft or extra-soft, and put it to work gently scrubbing dirt, dust, and lint from crevices and the Lightning connector.^{[1]
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3
Use a dry, soft-bristled brush to clean the Lightning port. Brush the Lightning port with the brush with gentle movements. Avoid putting too much pressure; this could lodge dirt and wax further into the port.
- Avoid putting anything in the charging ports; this can damage the metal contacts below.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Outside of the Case

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1
Give the case general cleaning. Start by using a soft and dry microfiber cloth for a general rub-down and preliminary cleaning. Wipe down the exterior of the case, and get rid of any easy-to-remove lint, dirt, and wax.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- Avoid using any abrasive materials as these can scratch the case.
- Dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol if necessary. For more difficult grime, dampen the cloth using a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. Gently rub at the debris while avoiding the charging port. Allow the case to dry completely before using it.^{[3]
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A swab gives you more accuracy and lets you muscle through the gunk. If necessary, dampen the swab with isopropyl alcohol to loosen stubborn dirt and wax.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finishing the Cleaning

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Your AirPods case should be looking almost new by now. The last step is a quick finishing polish using a dry microfiber cloth. Rub the case down gently and firmly, giving it a last going over to complete the cleaning process.
2
Clean the AirPods. Wipe down each AirPod carefully. If there's debris in the grilles, gently brush it away with a toothbrush. You can use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab for dried-on wax, but be very careful not to get it near the grilles and speaker elements.
- Keeping the AirPods clean can help if they constantly fall out of your ear.
They’ll be ready for their next usage.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Why does the inside of my AirPod case get so dirty?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

The inside of your case has some pins at the bottom that are kind of hard to reach. When you put your AirPods back over and over again, dirt can build up down there pretty easily.

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Question

What's the easiest way to clean out the inside of the case?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Buy one of those little hearing aid cleaning kits. They're like 4-5 dollars online, and they come with a bunch of little brushes and tools that make it a lot easier to get inside of the case and clean the gunk out.

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Question

How do I fix the pins inside of the case if they're bent?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, there isn't really anything you can do to fix those parts. I hate to say it, but you've either got to live with the bent pins, or buy a new case.

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Warnings

Do not use abrasives or aerosol cleansers to clean your AirPods or their storage case. Also avoid solvents other than 70% isopropyl alcohol. Any harsh or heavy-duty cleanser will likely affect the glossy finish of your AirPods and case and could damage your ear.

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