How to Clean Your High-End Headphones

High-end headphones are a significant investment, and proper care is crucial to maintaining their flawless condition and optimal performance over time. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to clean and care for your valuable audio equipment.

Before you begin the cleaning process, it is important to familiarise yourself with the specific design and materials of your headphones. Different headphone models may require slightly different cleaning methods.

Common Headphone Components:

• Earpads: These can be made of various materials, often including leather, imitation leather or velour.
• Headband: Often made from materials such as leather, textile, plastic, metal or a combination of these materials.
• Ear cups: Typically made of plastic, metal or wood, they house the sensitive drivers.
• Cable: Can be detachable or fixed, and it is important to keep it tangle-free and protected to avoid kinks.

Cleaning Your Headphones: A Step-by-Step Guide

What you need

• Soft, lint-free cloths (microfibre is ideal)
• Cotton buds
• Mild cleaning solution (e.g. dish soap diluted with water)
• Soft brush with bristles

Cleaning the Earpads

• Regular cleaning:
  • Carefully wipe the ear pads with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove surface dirt and deposits.
  • For more stubborn stains, dampen the cloth slightly. If this is not enough, you can use a mild cleaning solution (water and pH-neutral soap).
  • Avoid excessive moisture as this can damage the materials. Particularly with fabric surfaces, moisture can penetrate the outer layer and damage the material.
    
• Deep cleaning:
  • If the earpads are removable, take them off and clean them separately.
  • Use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris.
  • For leather or vegan leather earpads, apply a small amount of leather care product and rub in gently with a clean cloth.
  • For velour or memory foam ear pads, use a slightly damp cloth.
  • Allow the ear pads to air dry completely before reattaching them.

Cleaning the Headband

• Regular cleaning:
  • Wipe the headband with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.
  • For leather headphones, use a leather conditioner to keep them soft and protected.
    
• Deep cleaning:
  • Use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris.
  • For leather, clean with a leather cleaner and conditioner.
  • For metal and plastic, use a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth.

Cleaning the Cups

• Regular cleaning:
  • Wipe the ear cups with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  • For stubborn stains, use a slightly damp cloth with a mild cleaning solution.
    
• Deep cleaning:
  • Remove dirt and debris from the crevices using a soft bristle brush.
  • For plastic ear cups, use a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth.
  • For metal ear cups, use a metal polish or a mild cleaning solution.
  • For open wooden surfaces, do not use cleaners that penetrate the pores. A light wood oil can restore the look. Treat lacquered surfaces in the same way as plastic.

Cleaning the Cable

• Regular cleaning:
  • Carefully wipe the cable with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and debris.
  • Avoid excessive bending or twisting, as this can damage the inner wires and cause permanent kinks.
    
• Deep cleaning:
  • If the cable is very dirty, use a slightly damp cloth with a mild cleaning solution.
  • Allow the cable to air dry completely before using it again.
  • Do not use alcohol or solvents, as these can attack the sheathing.

Storage and Care Tips

• Correct storage:
  • Store your headphones in a dry place at a normal temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
  • If possible, use a headphone stand to ensure good ventilation after use.
  • Use a hard case or padded bag to protect the headphones during transport.
    
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme heat or cold can damage the materials and components of your headphones.
• Avoid moisture: Keep your headphones away from moisture as this can lead to mold and corrosion.
• Regular cleaning: Clean your headphones regularly to avoid dirt and debris build-up.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your high-end headphones remain in excellent condition for a long time. Nevertheless, the earpads should be replaced with new ones after a certain period of time. The surface of leather and artificial leather can become brittle and lose its suppleness over time due to sweat and other substances.

Pro-Tip:

Make sure that you do not place headphones with the pads directly on a table or other smooth surfaces (such as on/near a laptop in a rucksack). Particularly with closed-back headphones, this can easily create excess pressure inside the cups, which can damage the driver if pressure is exerted on the cups.