How To Clean Smelly Headphones?

If you are stuck with a smelly headphones and want to know how to clean smelly headphones, read the blog.

Posted by ProdHut Team

The Methods to Clean Smelly Headphones

We all use headphones regularly. Whether we are sleeping, eating, or even working, we cannot think about a moment when we are not using those headphones. 

But, when it comes to cleaning, we often forget to clean the headphones. After using the headphone, we often forget to store them properly and leave them in an open area. The result is getting stuck with smelly headphones that we cannot take out of the bag confidently in public.

In this blog, I will share some simple steps to clean the headphones in no time so that you can enjoy the melody or your favorite podcast the next time you are on public transport.

First of all, let us know a little about why we should clean our headphones. It is about feeling embarrassed about smelly headphones when you are outside and for your own sake. The moment you insert those plugs in your ears, you are putting your health at risk. The dirt and sweat accumulated on those earpads can irritate your ears and even cause infection. 

Now, let us know about the methods.

Cleaning The Mesh

Things you will need:

  1. A sharp-edged tool, preferably a safety pin or bobby pin.
  2. A clean piece of cloth
  3. Mild liquid soap
  4. Water
  5. Hydrogen Peroxide 
  6. A container

Step One

  • Disassemble the detachable parts of your headphone. It will make the cleaning process easier. Separate the earpads. Then, check out if there are other parts that you can detach or not. If the parts are not detachable, then you have to clean them like this.

Step Two 

  • Put the earpads separately and start with the mesh of your headphones. Usually, this part is the toughest part to clean. Because the dirt and ear wax get stuck in the tiny holes, and if you have not cleaned it earlier, you will have a hard time cleaning it.
  • Take a safety pin or bobby pin and scrape out the dirt from the area surrounding the mesh. Collect as much earwax and dirt as possible. 
  • Now take a clean cloth and wipe the area with it once.
  • Take the bobby pin again and start to take the dirt out of the mesh. Be very careful because you do not want to damage the mechanism.
  • Once you are done, take a container and pour some water into it. 
  • Now, take a mild liquid soap, add two drops to the water, and mix it well with the water.
  • Soak the headphone in the solution for two to three minutes and then take them out. You will see that the headphones are cleaner now.
  • Take another container and pour water into it. Add a few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide to it and mix them well.
  • Dip the headphone in the solution and after one minute, take them out of the water. With the help of a clean cloth, wipe off the excess water. Let it dry naturally.

Cleaning The Earpads

Things that you need:

  1. A small bowl
  2. Mild liquid soap
  3. Lukewarm water
  4. Tissue paper

The Process:

  • Take a container and pour water into it.
  • Start boiling the water and when it is lukewarm, turn the flame off.
  • Add a few drops of mild liquid soap to it and mix it well.
  • Dip the earpads in it. Let them soak for ten minutes.
  • Take them out of the water and wipe them off with tissue paper.

Cleaning The Wire

Things that you need:

  1. A cotton ball
  2. Cleaning solution

The Process:

  • You do not have to make any cleaning solution because you have already made it. Instead, use the soapy water that you made for cleaning the mesh.
  • Take the cotton ball and soak it in soapy water.
  • Squeeze the excess water out and wipe the wire and the plugs with it.
  • Take a clean and dry cotton ball and wipe them to ensure there is no water left on the wire.

Additional Tips

It is not possible to follow these steps regularly. But you can not afford to get your headphones dirty again, right? So, here is the quick tip that will help you clean your headphones and keep the sweat odor at bay.

Things you will need:

  1.  Cotton ball
  2. Hand sanitizer

 The Process: 

 Whenever you come home from outside, follow this step. You can also clean your headphones following this step daily.

  • Take a cotton ball and add a few drops of hand sanitizer to it.
  • Wipe the earpads and the area surrounding the mesh with them. You can also wipe the wire with it. The alcohol in hand sanitizer will keep any wetness at bay and kill germs and bacteria. Also, it will eliminate any bad odor.