How do I get ear wax out of the earbud mesh?

Brush the mesh with a dry, soft toothbrush while holding it facing down so loosened wax falls out. Never push anything through the mesh.

How to Clean Earbuds Safely (Without Damaging Them)

Q: Can I clean earbuds with sanitiser?

No. Gel sanitisers leave residue. Use a cloth lightly dampened with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.

September 21, 2026

How to clean earbuds and charging case safely

Updated: September 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer: Remove the silicone tips and wash them in soapy water. Brush the speaker mesh with a dry, soft toothbrush while holding the mesh facing down. Wipe the buds and charging contacts with a lightly alcohol-dampened cotton bud. Dry everything fully before the buds go back in the case. Do this every two weeks.

Why it matters

Sound. Wax on the mesh is the top reason earbuds get quieter or lose bass on one side.
Charging. A film of sweat on the contacts stops buds from charging.
Hygiene. Ear tips sit inside the ear canal and collect oil and bacteria, more so in Indian heat and humidity.

What you need

A soft dry toothbrush, cotton buds, a microfibre cloth, mild soap, a wooden toothpick, and optionally 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Step by step

Ear tips. Pull them off. Wash in warm soapy water, rinse, and leave to dry completely. A wet tip pushed back on will send moisture into the driver.
Speaker mesh. Hold the bud with the mesh facing the floor so loosened wax falls out, not in. Brush lightly in one direction. For stuck wax, use the toothpick tip around the edge only. Never poke through the mesh.
Body and mic holes. Wipe with a cloth very lightly dampened with alcohol. Brush the mic holes; do not push anything into them.
Charging contacts. Rub the metal dots on each bud with a dry cotton bud until they shine.
Case. Use a dry cotton bud for the wells and pins. Clear the Type-C port with a toothpick. Wipe the outside with the cloth.
Dry. Leave everything open for 10 minutes before reassembling.

Never do this

Rinse the buds under a tap, even if they are IPX5. Ratings cover sweat and splashes, not washing.
Use pins, needles or compressed air on the mesh.
Use sanitiser gel, bleach, or household cleaners.
Put damp buds in the case. Moisture plus charging current corrodes contacts.

How often

Use	Clean
Daily commute and calls	Every 2 weeks
Gym or running	Quick wipe after each session, full clean weekly
Occasional	Monthly

When to replace ear tips

Silicone tips harden, tear and lose their seal after 6 to 12 months. A poor seal means weak bass and weaker noise isolation. Replacement tips are inexpensive and make old earbuds feel new.