Many people are familiar with the problem, but hardly anyone has the solution – we're talking about the inaccessible openings on your phone and AirPods. Dirt and grime tend to build up here. But cleaning them is incredibly difficult. Unfortunately, simply ignoring them isn't an option either. This usually leads to the headphones no longer working properly. Or, the phone won't charge because of the clogged charging port. In this blog post, we'll share tips and tricks you can use to clean your AirPods and charging port easily and efficiently.
Why regular cleaning is important
Clean the microphone and speaker of the AirPods
How to clean your AirPods charging case
Remove dirt and dust from the phone charging port
Why you should clean your headphones and phone openings regularly
Dirty AirPods aren't just unsightly, they're also downright unhygienic. These little companions provide the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, which in the worst case can lead to painful ear infections. This makes it all the more important that you clean your in-ear headphones regularly. The same applies to the small charging port and speaker openings on your phone. If left unattended for a long time, they become traps for dirt.
Fortunately, you can easily avoid all of these scenarios with regular cleaning. We'll tell you how!
How to best clean your AirPods
Small and practical, but difficult to clean – all characteristics that apply to AirPods. Even though these trendy white gadgets look stylish, thorough cleaning seems complicated and is therefore often neglected. So, how do you clean AirPods properly?
Clean the microphone and speaker of the AirPods
First, start by removing any coarse dirt from the AirPods. This is relatively easy with a simple microfiber cloth. Next, clean inaccessible areas like the microphone and speaker. With a small brush, like our SMARTA cleaning brush , you can easily clean the grilles in front of the microphone and speaker without leaving any dust or dirt behind. Avoid using water or special cleaning agents, as these can, in the worst case, penetrate the interior of the AirPods and cause damage.

The rubber on the AirPods Pro is easy to clean under running water—without the use of soap or detergent. Remove the rubber first.
In general, it is important to proceed carefully throughout the cleaning process to avoid damaging the delicate parts of the AirPods.
How to clean your AirPods charging case
You should also keep the AirPods charging case in mind when cleaning. You can clean the case's exterior – similar to the AirPods – with a simple microfiber cloth. Use a brush on the Lightning connector at the bottom of the case to ensure the metal contacts aren't damaged. The same applies to the inside of the charging case: There are also sensitive metal contacts here, which you can safely clean with the SMARTA brush . And now the Apple AirPods case is CLEAN again!
By the way: You can easily clean your SMARTA cleaning brush in the dishwasher or in the washing machine using laundry bags. The brush can withstand temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius. Give it a try!
Remove dirt and dust from the phone charging port

Who hasn't experienced this: After extended use, your phone no longer charges properly? This is often due to a dirty charging port. Dust particles, textile lint, and dirt can clog the small openings in your Lightning or USB-C ports – thus blocking the charging process. To prevent this from happening, you should clean your phone and tablet ports regularly. The easiest way to remove dust and dirt from the charging port is with our practical SMARTA cleaning brush . The fine brush at the end of the brush makes this quick and effortless. This way, nothing stands in the way of charging your electronic devices.
Speaking of electrical devices: For optimal charging, sockets should also be cleaned regularly. In our blog post "Cleaning Sockets – How to Do It Properly?" we share helpful tips.