Whether you are within the confines of your home, trapped in traffic while driving, or on the road, many spend a lot of time listening to music through their headphones. In Nigeria, the in-ear variety is commonly used as they are a cheaper option – you can get it as low as ₦200 from street vendors. Also, they are much more portable than the full-size headphones.
The in-ear headphones, however, require maintenance. Aside from the fact that it can transmit bacteria from person to person if shared, and in some cases can cause ear infections, it requires regular cleaning for it to function properly and last for a long time. The sealed design increases the heat in the ear canal and leads to more ear wax and oils accumulating on the bud. The earwax, dust and debris can get trapped in the earphone nozzles and impact the sound quality of your headphones negatively.
If you have noticed a drop in the sound level of your earphones there are chances that you need to clean them. Obviously, you cannot just dunk them in soapy water and shake them around. This article highlights techniques on how to keep your earphones clean.
Step 1:
Detach the earphones from the device. Ensure you do not clean your phone ear buds when they are still connected to your gadgets.
Step 2:
Separate the earphones. Most ear buds come with removable (and replaceable) silicone covers. It is important to take them apart and clean them separately.
Step 3:
Make a mix of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Ensure the mix is light and not too soapy or too hot. Too much soap could leave residues in the ear buds.
Step 4:
Use a gentle cloth with just a small amount of the soap mixture to clean the earphones. A cotton bud stick would be preferable. Remember not to soak in too much water, as that may damage the earphones.
Step 5:
For the metal part of the earphones, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide (maximum concentration, 3%) to dislodge the dust and remove the wax. Do allow excess hydrogen peroxide to enter the open port on the ear bud.
Step 6:
Once the headphones are cleaned, gently shake out any excess liquid and debris, and dry the ear bud with a soft cloth, or allow them to air dry. Once completely dry, put the parts back together and it is ready to be used again.
