How to Take Care of Your Earphones Properly
Earphones are more than just speakers. Like the smartphone, they have become a daily companion.
Whether Bluetooth or wired, earphones help make music more immersive and videos more entertaining, they provide a little more privacy in stressful everyday life and have even become somewhat of a fashion statement; it’s, therefore, important to take care of them properly to help extend their lifetime and ensure the audio quality remains high.
The fact that many of us wear earphones for several hours a day means their complex electronic system is regularly exposed to potentially damaging elements such as dust, moisture, and earwax. However, whether through regular cleaning or adequate storage, following a few simple guidelines could help keep your earbuds in top condition so that you can make the most of them for years to come.
How to Clean Earphones
To ensure that your earphones last as long as possible, it is advisable to thoroughly clean them at least once a week - not only to maintain high-quality audio output but for hygienic reasons too.
To effectively remove dirt, sweat, dust and earwax from your earphones, you first need to make sure you have the right tools. For the silicone plugs that come standard with the newer models, lukewarm soapy water or simply lukewarm water is sufficient. For heavy soiling, cotton swabs are also recommended. A standard towel is also required for drying. Superficial dirt on the outside of the earbuds can be removed with a hairdryer or a fine brush. For stubborn dirt on the surface, cotton swabs are used again. To remove dirt that has stuck to or got inside the protective grill, you will need either a standard adhesive tape or, preferably, a sticky and malleable mass that fits snugly into small openings, such as adhesive tack. To disinfect the earbuds after cleaning, we also recommend a disinfecting cloth.
Step 1: Cleaning the Silicone Plugs
Carefully remove the silicone plugs from the earphones and either hold them under lukewarm water or place them in lukewarm soapy water and carefully remove the surface dirt by hand. The inside can be cleaned either with a strong water jet or by carefully inserting cotton swabs; take care not to exert too much pressure to prevent damage. Then, wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth and wait at least two hours before putting the plugs back on the earphones to ensure they are fully dry. Optionally, you can also wipe the plugs with a disinfecting cloth to remove any residual bacteria; again, remember to let the plugs dry before putting them back on the earbuds.
Step 2: Cleaning the Earphones
Unlike silicone plugs, earphones are electronic products, so contact with water should be completely avoided. To remove fine dirt such as dust particles from the outside of the earbuds, it is usually sufficient to simply blow or use a hairdryer on a low, cold setting.
The second step is to remove any dirt or earwax that has accumulated outside the protective grill. The easiest way to do this is with a fine brush or cotton swab. The cotton swab can be slightly moistened, but it is important to ensure that no moisture gets inside the earphones so always err on the side of caution when it comes to the amount of water you use. If unsure, check the instructions that came with your specific in-ear headphones if you still have them.
Step3: Cleaning the Protective Grill
This step is the most complicated, as the protective grill has tiny holes that ensure optimum sound output while simultaneously preventing dirt from getting into the earbuds. Carefully dab the protective grill with a strip of tape so that dirt and particles stick to the strip; repeat until no more dirt sticks to the adhesive strip. Better yet, adhesive tack penetrates even deeper into the fine openings of the protective grid, so if you have access to it, use this instead. After removing the dirt from the protective grill, you should also carefully wipe the earphones with a disinfecting cloth. Again, remember to let your earphones fully dry before using them.
How to Avoid Damaging Your Earphones While Using Them
Apart from cleaning your earphones regularly, it is equally important to take care of your them during use to prolong their life.
Keep earphones away from moisture
Everyone knows that moisture and electronics don't mix well, but many people still make mistakes in this regard. For example, some earphones should not be worn in heavy rain, as water can make its way into them and damage the electronic components. Drops of sweat can also get into the earphones while exercising at the gym or playing sports. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to buy earphones that meet IPX4 standards or higher, such as the Panasonic S500W true wireless earbuds, as they protect against water droplets from any direction. Always check what water resistance level your earphones have before exposing them to moisture.
Don’t carry your earphones around loose
If you carry your earphones loosely in your pockets or rucksack, you can expect dust particles and other dirt to not only clog the protective grill but also get inside the device itself. If you have wired earphones, tangled cabling is an age-old issue we are well aware of. Not only do tangled cables delay you delving into your music while you untangle them, but they can also lead to damage if the cable gets caught in other objects.
With both wired and wireless earphones alike, it’s always best to carry them around in a protective case to shield them from dirt and knocks. If you have wired earphones, make sure you always carefully wrap them in a figure-eight shape before putting away to reduce the risk of them getting damaged and so that they are ready to use when you next need them.
Pull the plug, not the cable
As with most other wired electronic products, earphone cables are susceptible to damage. Pulling and tugging on the cable while disconnecting from devices can damage the connection and quickly make your earphones unusable, significantly reducing their lifespan. Remember to always remove earphones carefully from the device they are connected to and avoid pulling and tugging on the cable.
Do not go to sleep with earphones on
As tempting as it may be to be drift off into peaceful slumber listening to your favourite band or audiobook with your earphones on, you could potentially damage them unintentionally while asleep. Particularly with wired earphones, sudden movements during sleep can cause the cable to break or even tear the cable completely.
How to Store Earphones
Last but not least, it is important to store your earphones safely so that they are protected from dust and other potential negative factors, such as temperature extremes.
So, what is the best way to store your earphones safely? High-quality models, such as the Panasonic S300W and S500W true wireless earbuds, are usually supplied with cases as standard and you should make use of these. If you have wired earphones, it is also important not to simply put them in the case in a knot, but to roll them up properly. To do this, it is advisable to wind up the cable gently in a figure of eight and never knot it tightly, as in the worst-case scenario this could break the cable. If the supplied case is not enough, you can opt for cases with a hard shell. Those not only provide more protection but also usually offer more space so that the cable can be easily and safely put in and taken out again.
And there you have it; our simple guide to taking care of your earphones. Follow these tips and you’ll find that your earbuds could last much longer.
