Last Updated: on December 4, 2023 by Jack
No one wants to smell sweat or bad odours, especially from themselves. If you have headphones that you’ve used frequently for a while, they’re likely starting to smell a bit.
If you’re using them for exercise or the gym, cleaning them is even more essential to avoid having to wear embarrassingly unhygienic headphones.
Headphones, earphones or earbuds can accumulate bacterial buildup from sweat, dirt and earwax, leading to nasty smells.
Check out our steps for effectively eliminating sweat and bad odours from your headphones below.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Headphones
Keeping your headphones clean is essential to maintain optimal audio quality. Accumulated dirt, sweat stains and earwax can block sound waves and affect the clarity of your music or podcast.
It’s not only about performance – hygiene plays a significant role. Long-term use of dirty headphones might lead to potential ear infections due to bacteria building up on grime and sweat.
Regular cleaning extends the longevity of headphones, maintaining their physical appearance while ensuring durability. Damaged cables or unwanted odours often stem from laziness and a lack of a cleaning routine.
Whether wired, wireless, over-the-ear or in-ear models, proper care prevents damage and saves money.
Keeping your headphones free from filth enhances the user experience while protecting one’s health without compromising audio quality. Furthermore, it mitigates problems like sun damage or mould that evolves into mildew as moisture remains unaddressed within parts such as headphone pads or earbud tips.
How To Remove Sweat or Odour Smell from Headphones
Prepare your headphones by gathering the necessary cleaning supplies. Then, remove the padded inserts from your headphones to clean them separately.
Use hydrogen peroxide to eliminate odours, and scrub the headphone pads with detergent and water. Finish by wiping the headphones with wet wipes for a fresh, clean scent.
1. Prepare Them for Cleaning
Ensure your headphones are disconnected from any power sources. This crucial step prevents potential damage to electronic components and safeguards against electrical shocks.
In removing sweat and odour from headphones, categorise each part of material type: plastic elements, metal mesh areas, leather or foam pads – everything has its own requirement for safe cleaning.
To promote effective results without causing harm to different parts of your headphones, separate the removable parts where possible.
Silicone ear tips often harbour dirt residues due to prolonged contact with ears and should be detached if possible in preparation for a deep clean. Any visible surface dirt on cables or wires can be loosened off gently using a soft toothbrush before applying any liquid solutions.
2. Remove The Padded Inserts
Grasp the padded inserts gently between your fingers and apply slight force to dislodge them from their position, ensuring you do not damage any parts. For stubborn padding, check if they twist off instead of popping off directly.
Cleaning these intimate parts can significantly reduce sweat stains and bad smells from frequent use.
3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Get Rid of Odours
Hydrogen peroxide is a potent solution in the battle against persistent odours. Its natural disinfectant properties make it extremely effective for this particular task. Dab hydrogen peroxide onto a cotton swab and gently clean your headphone’s surface, focusing on the inner parts.
Make sure to allow them to air dry completely before using them again. Using hydrogen peroxide eliminates unpleasant smells and goes a step further by killing bacteria causing these odours.
4. Scrub The Pads With Detergent and Water
The cleaning process requires a mixture of warm water and a tiny amount of mild detergent. Dunk an old toothbrush or other soft-bristle brush into this solution. Carefully clean the headphone pads, not letting any liquid drip into the headphones themselves.
Rub gently in circular motions for thorough removal of sweat stains and odours. Rinse them under lukewarm running water until all soap suds disappear, ensuring no water gets inside parts of the headphones.
Lay your headphones flat on a dry towel afterwards, away from direct sun exposure, as it can cause discolouration or leather damage to certain materials.
5. Wipe Them With Wet Wipes
Unleash the power of wet wipes to clean your headphones. Wet wipes are not just for babies; they can work wonders on dirty headphones too. Best suited for interior cleaning, wet wipes efficiently remove sweat or any lingering odours from your device without causing damage.
Taking a simple wet wipe, gently rub it over the surface area of your headphones.
For optimal results, once you have wiped down with a wet wipe, follow up with a pass-over using a microfiber cloth. This ensures complete drying and adds extra shine to your squeaky-clean headphones.
So grab those handy wet wipes and breathe new life into those smelly old headphones.
Tips to Keep Your Headphones Fresh
To keep your headphones fresh, remember to store them properly to prevent odours. Dust them after each use to prevent sweat buildup, use a carrying case for storage, and consider using silica gel to absorb moisture.
Store Them Correctly
Correct storage of your headphones acts as a preventative measure against odours. Always ensure they are dry before putting them away, as moisture can lead to unwanted smells. Using a breathable carrying case or bag allows airflow and prevents dampness from being trapped.
To further enhance the smell elimination process, consider adding silica gel packets to your headphone’s storage case, effectively absorbing any left-over moisture. These small steps maintain the freshness of your headphones and increase their longevity by stopping the build-up of sweat stains or earwax that contribute to odour issues over time.
Dust Them After Each Use
Regularly dusting your headphones can make a significant difference in maintaining their cleanliness. Each use of your headphones inevitably leaves traces of sweat, especially during exercises or hot days.
This sweat accumulates over time and, if left unchecked, transforms into unwanted odours and even mould or mildew. The buildup affects your headphones’ physical appearance, sound quality, and durability.
Use a soft microfiber cloth after each use to wipe off surface dirt and leftover sweat stains from the headphone pads before they can set in. Beyond aesthetics, it also safeguards against potential ear infections, preserving both the health of your ears and the lifespan of your listening device.
Consistent dusting is an easy yet effective solution for preventing sweaty filth and grime from settling.
Use A Carry Case
Storing your headphones in a carrying case is essential for keeping them clean and safe. A carrying case acts as protection against dust, sun damage, and other external factors that can affect the quality of your headphones.
Not only does it prevent physical damage, but it also helps maintain the freshness of your headphones by preventing sweat and odour smells from seeping into the materials. You can avoid harsh smells and stains that may develop over time by simply placing your headphones in a carrying case when not in use.
To keep them fresh while stored, wipe down your headphones with hand sanitiser, rubbing alcohol or wet wipes before putting them away.
Use Silica Gel to Absorb Moisture
Silica gel is an effective method for preventing moisture buildup and eliminating unwanted odours. This small, white, granular substance absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment, keeping your headphones dry and fresh.
By placing silica gel packets or sachets inside your headphone case or storage bag, you can ensure that any lingering sweat or moisture absorbs before it has a chance to cause damage or produce unpleasant odours.
Silica gel is widely available and easy to use, making it an excellent solution for maintaining the quality and longevity of your headphones.
Conclusion
Maintaining clean and fresh-smelling headphones is essential for optimal audio quality and hygiene. You don’t want people pointing you out for smelling foul because your headphones smell like they’ve come straight out of the bin. It’s also embarrassing if people see lots of wax and nasty dirt inside them.
A simple cleaning and storage routine effectively deals with sweat, odour and dirt. All it takes is a simple wipe-down of headphones every so often and storing them away correctly to improve their cleanliness.
Following the steps and advice above should hopefully save you from having to buy a new pair of headphones, earphones or earbuds.