How often do you clean it too?

One of my bluetooth earphones fell on a footpath, as I was trying to put it back into its case.
Now I’m thinking about the germs that may have gotten on it n all. Generally, I use some sanitizer to clean it from time to time.

Looking to see how others would clean their earphones in such a situation too

  • monovergent 🛠️
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    18 hours ago
    1. Separate rubber pieces from earbuds
    2. Plug drain in sink and wash rubber pieces in soapy water, then let dry
    3. Fold a sheet of tissue paper over and saturate with 70% isopropyl alcohol from a dropper bottle
    4. Wipe earbuds thoroughly with the saturated tissue and let dry
    5. Reassemble and repeat once every 1 to 2 weeks
  • Polysics
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    219 hours ago

    I know this might sound like overkill but I have ear issues so it’s necessary for me.

    Tips go in a little dish of 99% iso alcohol. Don’t have to worry about the whole evaporation to water ratio that is often mentioned. Then if there is visible crud I will use a soft textured toothbrush (like for kids, the extra soft kind) and let them air dry (which is very fast because alcohol)

    For the rest, a cotton swab dry to remove crud, and then all the parts go into a UV sterilization box (open the lid of the case to make sure the UV gets in there too)

    It’s a whole ritual but it keeps me from getting irritated ears.

    And yes I have over the ear headphones but I can’t lug those around everywhere all the time like earbuds.

    And never ever use soap because it can and will break water surface tension and penetrate barriers like the speaker and microphone grills.

  • @[email protected]
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    219 hours ago

    I clean the earwax off/out of them when I see it or the sound is affected (I wear deep insertion IEMs with tri-flange silicone tips), but otherwise just replace the tips when they wear out a couple times a year.

  • guy
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    51 day ago

    Feeling worried about germs after dropping it on the ground for a short time is probably not healthy behaviour mate :)
    You have a shit ton of unpleasant germs on your hands which touch them all the time and that works out fine yeah?

    Anyway, a toothpick from time to time, maybe alcohol if the gunk is really set.

  • Scratch
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    152 days ago

    80% isopropyl alcohol. Use a soft brush wet with some of the alcohol. Brush around the affected areas. Let it dry and that’s all for me.

    I wouldn’t recommend dousing electronics in less than 90%. Feels sketchy. But I have nothing to back that up besides “electronics cleaner” being 99% iso.

    • Prehensile_cloaca
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      142 days ago

      70% iso is actually more effective for killing bacteria, as the additional water helps to penetrate the cell wall. Higher concentration iso is better for dissolving crud off a bong tho.

      • @[email protected]
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        42 days ago

        If you use 70% the remaining 30% are typically water. And water and electronics aren’t necessarily best friends.

        • @venusaur
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          52 days ago

          This is true but if the water used to create alcohol is distilled, which I think it is, I think it’s okay because it’s the minerals in the water that are the real problem.

          • @[email protected]
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            51 day ago

            That’s true but the electronics are not as clean and the water will pick up the residue and become conductive again.

            • @venusaur
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              21 day ago

              I think in a 70% solution the alcohol disrupts polarity of of the water molecules enough to stop it from picking up the residue. Only one way to find out. pours 70% alcohol onto computer while power is on

        • @[email protected]
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          12 days ago

          Also, the reason for that is that the water conducts electricity, which only matters when the electronics are on at the time. 70% is still going to evaporate before you turn it on (given that you’re not fully submerging the thing and getting liquid deep in crevasses).
          Also maybe look out for charged capacitors and batteries.

  • ⓝⓞ🅞🅝🅔
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    11 day ago

    Do you mean earbud style? Generally, never…

    What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, you know?

    But if I do drop them and dirt or something, you can remove the rubber and clean it with soap, water, and qtip. You need to be very mindful of the actual speaker portion. A toothpick can be helpful for removing debris, but I wouldn’t apply any liquids to the face of the speaker. There’s usually a piece of fabric that’s glued on and you don’t want to lose that or get it gunked up.

  • Billegh
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    92 days ago

    I just pop mine in my mouth every now and then.

  • @[email protected]
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    62 days ago

    You can buy a big box of alcohol wipes for cheap. They’re great for cleaning small things like earbuds and the case.

  • Cruxifux
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    42 days ago

    I just clean out the earwax with whatever I have on hand when I notice the buildup. Usually a nail or screw or splinter of wood, seeing as how im a carpenter and all and that’s what’s usually nearby.

  • Mayor Poopington
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    32 days ago

    A quick wipe on my shirt and back in the ear it goes. I’ll do an occasional wipe with alcohol if they get extra gunky but that’s about it.

    I may or may not be a gremlin.

  • @[email protected]
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    22 days ago

    I use an old toothbrush to get all the bits of crud out, then wipe down with disinfectant hand wipes.