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Writer's pictureNizel Adams

How to clean earbuds (low or no volume fix)




A dirty white earbud full of wax & grime
A dirty earbud

It's always annoying when you spend your hard earned money on things and they fail on you. One of the pains of owning earbuds is that they get filled with gunk and there's not much you can do in regards to cleaning them. This guide will help you give a professional grade cleaning that will hopefully restore your earbud/headphones/airpods’ volume. There is a risk with these techniques and we assume no responsibility for any damage caused to devices of those that follow this guide. Before any of these steps are taken make sure your devices (phone, PC, earbuds, etc.) are all on the latest firmware.


Items you’ll need:


  • 2x Microfiber Cloths

  • Jewelry Cleaner

  • Heavy Duty Jewelry Degreaser is optional)

  • 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

  • A Small Cap (can use the cap from the cleaners)

  • Toothbrush with stiff bristles or wire cleaning brush (preferred and can be purchased from us directly)

  • Awareness of your earbud/airpod’s IP rating (waterproofing)

  • Patience



Part 1 - Perform a standard cleaning


Step 1: Remove the tips

Step 2: Use a wire brush or stiff bristled toothbrush to brush away any debris from the grills of the ear buds. Continue scrubbing for 2 minutes

Step 3: Place a microfiber cloth onto a flat, solid surface 

Step 4: Gently tap the ear buds onto the cloth, making sure the each grill makes contact with the surface on every tap in-order to release any debris

Step 5: Reassemble the earbuds and test the speakers and microphone. Continue on to part 2 if there are still issues


Part 2 - Clean using 99% Isopropyl Alcohol


Step 1: Remove the tips

Step 2: Fill a small cap or dish with 99% isopropyl alcohol

Step 3: Take part of the brush and dip it a bit of it in the alcohol then gently apply it to the exposed earbud filter

Step 4: Place the earbud along the edge of the cap or dish so that the filter end soaks in the alcohol without being fully engulfed (see picture)


earbud in cap
Earbud in cap

Step 5: Let it soak for 30 minutes

Step 6: After 30 minutes take out the earbud and lightly brush it to aggravate the debris

Step 7: Gently tap the ear buds onto the cloth, making sure the each grill makes contact with the surface on every tap in-order to release any debris

Step 8: Reassemble the earbuds and test the speakers and microphone. Continue on to part 3 if there are still issues



Part 3 - Clean using heavy duty supersonic jewelry degreaser 

ALWAYS USE GLOVES, A MASK & EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING CHEMICALS


Step 1: Remove the tips

Step 2: Fill a small cap or dish with heavy duty supersonic jewelry degreaser

Step 3: Take part of the brush and dip it a bit of it in the degreaser then gently apply it to the exposed earbud filter

Step 4: Place the earbud along the edge of the cap or dish so that the filter end soaks in the degreaser without being fully engulfed (see picture)

Step 5: Let it soak for a maximum of 4 hours

Step 6: After the allotted time take out the earbud and lightly brush it to aggravate the debris

Step 7: Gently tap the ear buds onto the cloth, making sure the each grill makes contact with the surface on every tap in-order to release any debris

Step 8: Wipe down the earbud with 99% isopropyl alcohol and let it rest for at least 24 hours before handling again

Step 9: Wipe down the earbud with isopropyl alcohol again before reassembling it

Step 10: Test the speakers and microphone. If issues persist it is a mechanical failure and needs to be either repaired or replaced entirely. Contact the manufacturer for assistance in this process











*Nizel Corporation and its associates assume no responsibility for any damage caused to devices of those that follow this guide. Use at your own risk


 

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