YOU LOVE YOUR EARBUDS. LEARN HOW TO LOOK AFTER THEM.

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Don't leave your earbuds looking like the inside of your ears.

Everybody has their best buds. The kind who you feel really close to. The kind who are there for you, no matter what. The kind who nestle in your ear canal and deliver beautiful sound on-the-go.

OK, yeah … we’re talking about earbuds. But think about it. Earbuds are a fun, reliable presence in your day-to-day life—just like your IRL buds. They just happen to play high-fidelity audio, anywhere and anytime.

And here’s the thing about buds: they look after each other. So it’s time to start really looking out for your earbuds. Because the more you do for them, the more they can do for you.

But the best thing you can do for your earbuds is something you probably DON’T do for your IRL buds. (Not that we judge!)

Cleaning them.

Regular upkeep and cleaning of your earbuds is one of the best ways to help them sound great and last longer. Our earbuds stay close to us—and that closeness has beautiful consequences—like immersive audio. But it can also lead to issues that may affect the quality of your sound or the longevity of your products.

Here’s how to treat your buds right.

PREFER TO WATCH?

Here’s a play-by-play to get your buds squeaky clean.

Gather your cleaning supplies.

All you need are a few familiar household items to bring that fresh-out-the-box feel to your dirty buds. We recommend cotton swabs (pointed ones work best, but regular ones are fine), a soft, lint-free cloth, and a little fresh water. Skip using sharp metal objects like scissors, screwdrivers, or knives, which can damage your earbuds.

CLEAN THE SURFACES

Remove the earbuds from the case. Lightly dampen a soft cloth with water (make sure to squeeze out any excess), and gently wipe the exterior of your earbuds and the outside of your charging case.

Clean the  charging pins.

If your earbuds aren’t charging properly, dirt on the charging contacts may be the culprit. Use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the contacts on both the earbuds and the case. If needed, you can lightly dampen the swab with water—again, just remember to squeeze out all the excess first. Repeat the process until the charging points are clean, and make sure everything is completely dry before using or charging again.

CLEAN THE MESH.

First, take off the ear tips if possible and hold the earbuds so the mesh faces downward. (That way, dirt falls out, not in). Then, use a clean, dry cotton swab to sweep away any debris. If they’re still dirty, you can lightly dampen the swab—but (we’re going to say this a lot)—squeeze out any excess water, and make sure your buds are 100% dry before using them.

Clean the ear tips and fins.

Remove the ear tips and fins, and start with a dry cotton swab to brush away dirt. You know the drill—if you need to, dampen your swab. Just be sure to squeeze out excess water. Finally, let those buds dry off.

Clean the filters in the ear tips.

Our latest earbuds have filters inside the ear tips to help protect against dirt buildup. To clean them, remove the tips and use a dry swab first. If they’re still dirty, dampen the swab slightly and repeat. Once they’re dry, you’re good to go.

Put it all back together.

Once everything is fully dry, reassemble your earbuds, tips, and fins, and pop them back in their freshly cleaned case. Voilà! Your best buds are now smoother than a Quincy Jones production. We recommend repeating this process regularly to prevent muffled sound or charging issues.

Do that, and we know you two will be buds for life. Or until you upgrade to a new pair.

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