How often do you clean it too?

One of my bluetooth earphones fell on a footpath, as I was trying to put it back into its case.
Now I’m thinking about the germs that may have gotten on it n all. Generally, I use some sanitizer to clean it from time to time.

Looking to see how others would clean their earphones in such a situation too

  • Scratch@sh.itjust.works
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    7 days ago

    80% isopropyl alcohol. Use a soft brush wet with some of the alcohol. Brush around the affected areas. Let it dry and that’s all for me.

    I wouldn’t recommend dousing electronics in less than 90%. Feels sketchy. But I have nothing to back that up besides “electronics cleaner” being 99% iso.

    • Prehensile_cloaca @lemm.ee
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      7 days ago

      70% iso is actually more effective for killing bacteria, as the additional water helps to penetrate the cell wall. Higher concentration iso is better for dissolving crud off a bong tho.

      • rbn@sopuli.xyz
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        7 days ago

        If you use 70% the remaining 30% are typically water. And water and electronics aren’t necessarily best friends.

        • caseyweederman@lemmy.ca
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          6 days ago

          Also, the reason for that is that the water conducts electricity, which only matters when the electronics are on at the time. 70% is still going to evaporate before you turn it on (given that you’re not fully submerging the thing and getting liquid deep in crevasses).
          Also maybe look out for charged capacitors and batteries.

  • monovergent 🛠️@lemmy.ml
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    6 days ago
    1. Separate rubber pieces from earbuds
    2. Plug drain in sink and wash rubber pieces in soapy water, then let dry
    3. Fold a sheet of tissue paper over and saturate with 70% isopropyl alcohol from a dropper bottle
    4. Wipe earbuds thoroughly with the saturated tissue and let dry
    5. Reassemble and repeat once every 1 to 2 weeks
  • stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca
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    6 days ago

    I clean the earwax off/out of them when I see it or the sound is affected (I wear deep insertion IEMs with tri-flange silicone tips), but otherwise just replace the tips when they wear out a couple times a year.

  • guy@piefed.social
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    6 days ago

    Feeling worried about germs after dropping it on the ground for a short time is probably not healthy behaviour mate :)
    You have a shit ton of unpleasant germs on your hands which touch them all the time and that works out fine yeah?

    Anyway, a toothpick from time to time, maybe alcohol if the gunk is really set.

  • ⓝⓞ🅞🅝🅔@lemmy.ca
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    6 days ago

    Do you mean earbud style? Generally, never…

    What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, you know?

    But if I do drop them and dirt or something, you can remove the rubber and clean it with soap, water, and qtip. You need to be very mindful of the actual speaker portion. A toothpick can be helpful for removing debris, but I wouldn’t apply any liquids to the face of the speaker. There’s usually a piece of fabric that’s glued on and you don’t want to lose that or get it gunked up.

  • Cruxifux@feddit.nl
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    7 days ago

    I just clean out the earwax with whatever I have on hand when I notice the buildup. Usually a nail or screw or splinter of wood, seeing as how im a carpenter and all and that’s what’s usually nearby.