Technology

Don’t miss out on how to clean your over-ear headphones for a pristine sound experience

To ensure the longevity and optimal sound quality of your headphones, it is essential to regularly clean the ear cups. This simple task removes dirt, sweat, and, most importantly, any hidden bacteria that could pose a risk to your ear health. By incorporating this easy step into your headphone maintenance routine, you not only extend the lifespan of your device but also continue to enjoy the fullest, high-quality audio experience.

Administrator

26 November, 2023

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For those who regularly listen to music, play games, or want to experience personal audio without being affected by external noise, over-ear headphones are an essential device. With their wrap-around design and modern technology, over-ear headphones ensure that the sound is enclosed, giving you a complete experience without disturbing others around you.

However, after prolonged use, the headphone pads and speaker surface are inevitably exposed to dirt, sweat, or earwax. If not cleaned properly, they can cause ear-related problems and affect the quality of your headphones. In this article, let’s find out the most standard way to clean over-ear headphones so that your device is always as clean as new.

Why it’s important to clean over-ear headphones regularly?

Cleaning over-ear headphones helps users remove accumulated dirt, clean sweat, or earwax on the cushion pads, speaker surfaces, or outer parts. This helps reduce the risk of ear problems such as itching, inflammation, or fungus infections.
Your over-ear headphones will always be clean and beautiful like new, avoiding the yellowing and mold that can affect aesthetics.
Regularly cleaning over-ear headphones is also a simple way to extend their lifespan. By cleaning the built-up dirt on the protective mesh on the back of the speaker membrane after long-term use, you will have a more complete sound experience.

Guide to cleaning over-ear headphones correctly

Cleaning over-ear headphones is quite simple, and you can do it regularly at home following the instructions below.

Step 1: Cleaning the outside of the headphones

This is the easiest part to clean on over-ear headphones. First, carefully remove the cushion pads from both sides of the headphones and set them aside.

Use a microfiber or soft, lint-free cloth moistened with warm water and wring it out. Then, wipe the entire outer surface of the headphones. Wipe again with a dry cloth.

Step 2: Cleaning the headphone pads

The pad is the part that directly contacts the user’s ears and is most prone to dirt and sweat buildup, so it needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

Leather cushion: To clean over-ear headphones with leather cushion, use a soft brush and gently brush off the dirt on the cushion. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface of the cushion and let it dry naturally or use a low heat setting if using a dryer. You can also expose the cushion to gentle sunlight to dry it faster and eliminate any remaining bacteria on this part.
Fabric cushion: Users can gently wash the fabric cushion with water, sun-dry or thoroughly dry it before reinstalling it on the headphones.

Note: Never use soap or strong detergents to clean the headphone pads.

Step 3: Cleaning the speaker surfaces of the headphones

This is the most difficult part to clean on over-ear headphones, so you need to be careful not to affect the quality of the device during the cleaning process.

After removing the cushion pads, you will see the plastic mesh protection layer for the headphone speakers. To clean it, use a moist cloth to wipe the surface, and use a cotton swab to clean the smaller holes and crevices on the screen.

Some tips for keeping your headphones durable

Properly store your headphones: When not in use, store your headphones in a dedicated box or keep them in a drawer to avoid dust.
Avoid using headphones when sweating: To prevent sweat from sticking to the headphones, causing dirt, mold, or damage, stop using over-ear headphones when the weather is too hot and causes excessive sweating. This also prevents your ears from becoming hot and avoids inflammation, itching, or ear fungus.
Replace the cushion pads: If the leather cushion has peeled off or is too old, consider replacing it to ensure a better experience.
Regularly clean the headphones: Regularly cleaning your over-ear headphones properly helps keep them clean and durable.

Conclusion

Above is a guide on how to clean over-ear headphones correctly and simply that anyone can do at home.