How to clean your gross AirPods, headphones and earbuds

Ever since the days of the groundbreaking Sony Walkman, when disco ruled the Earth and phrases like “boogie-down,” “cool beans,” and “jive-talking” were a thing, people have loved to wear headphones. And while the term morphed into earbuds in the 1980s, we’re still talking about the same thing, listening devices for an audience of one. Obviously, earbuds go in your ears, sometimes for hours at a time, and often when you’re doing other things, from housework to working-out, to traveling. And all that sweat, hair, dead skin, dust, and ear wax that your ears can accumulate during your daily activities mean your earbuds get dirty!

How dirty are your earbuds?

Basically, your earbuds are party central for dirt, germs, and bacteria. In a study measuring the volume of microorganisms on various surfaces, the earbuds they tested averaged almost 120,000 CFU’s, which are Colony Forming Units. So, in layman’s terms, they were gross!

• The study found that earbuds had 2,700 times the number of bacteria found on a kitchen cutting board.
• 330 times more bacteria than a kitchen countertop.
• 6 times more bacteria than a faucet

Of course, not all earbuds are created equal, and the level of contamination did vary with the design of the headphones. But the takeaway is that earbuds need cleaning, not least of all because dirty earbuds can lead to ear infections by literally forcing germs into your ear canal.

Reviewed-approved tech

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Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of tech experts test everything from Apple AirPods to wireless headphones so you can shop for the best of the best. 

1. Best wireless earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro
2. Editors’ Choice wireless headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones
3. Budget-friendly earbuds: Skullcandy Sesh Evo True Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds
4. Top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger
5. Best gaming headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro High Fidelity Gaming Headset
6. The best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus
7. Noise canceling earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
8. Best lightning cable: Anker 6 ft Premium Double-Braided Nylon Lightning Cable

How to clean your earbuds

Ridding your earbuds of gunk and germs is a three-fold operation.

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