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Cleaning your personal electronics is rarely fun, especially when it requires specialized tools and precise handiwork. Devices that you use every day — like your keyboard, mouse, and phone — are the ones that require the most TLC. But if you’re anything like us, you probably haven’t taken a brush or soap to your earbuds or headphones recently. So we’re here to show you some tips and tricks to get all the gunk out of those tiny holes. Given the effort that it takes to specially clean your electronic devices, it’s only natural to wonder if you really have to do it. Sadly, the experts are unambiguous on this point.“Anything that comes into contact with skin is going to collect a combination of oils, dead skin, and microbes,” says Jason Tetro, microbiologist and author of The Germ Files. He explains that most microorganisms on headphones or earbuds will be skin bacteria, but others can attach themselves and cause problems. “Studies have found species such as Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections; Malassezia, which can cause dandruff; Aspergillus, which can infect the lungs; and even E. coli and Proteus, which are both found in feces,” says Tetro. “Yes, fecal bacteria can end up on earbuds and headphones.”Let’s start with the good news: It’s likely that you already have everything you need to give your earbuds a good scrub in your home already. That said, if you really want to do a thorough job, you can buy some special gear to help with the process, which we’ll detail later.What You’ll NeedGather the following cleaning supplies before you start. You'll need the following:A clean, well-lit space or surface to workCotton swabs, such as Q-tipsA picking tool to really get into those crevices. We recommend an old toothbrush or specialized small cleaning brushesMicrofiber cloths, paper towels, or some other form of absorptive clothDishwashing liquid (dish soap)Isopropyl alcoholWhen choosing the right tool for the job, we strongly recommend packing a few cotton swabs, as they’re the perfect tool for getting at surface germs and blemishes. When it comes to your picking tool of choice, we recommend this hearing aid cleaning set from Amazon. Personally, we like to use this straw cleaner brush set that we purchased to deep-clean a fancy water bottle. If you have something like that laying around, give it a try.As for the cleaning liquids, we recommend using dish soap because it lacks additives that you often find in hand soap, such as coloring agents or moisturizers.While Tetro says that using wipes dampened with isopropyl alcohol is the best way to reduce bacterial contamination on most surfaces, you need to be careful before you use it on your headphones and earbuds. The solution can potentially damage the finish of your devices if not used carefully, so only use it where directed below.How to Clean Your EarbudsIn-ear earbuds like AirPods are the most difficult audio devices to clean out there, but don’t fret: The process is still very straightforward.Step 1: DisassembleIn-ear earbuds generally feature silicon ear caps or fittings that you can pry off with a little effort. Take them off and put them to the side.Step 2: Dry BrushYou can make a good start on cleaning your earbuds without even using liquid. Use your brush to scrape at the wire mesh (i.e. usually where the sound comes out), making sure to keep the part you’re rubbing facing down so the bits of debris and dirt fall away from the device. (It needs to be at least slightly tilted, as shown in the photo above, or even upside down.)Step 3: Wipe or SoakIf you want to be really thorough, you can place the removable parts of the earbud in a water bath with a few drops of dish soap for 5 minutes. If you’d prefer to expedite the process, you can wet a cotton swab with warm soapy water and rub in and around the removable parts instead. Regardless of which path you choose, you should then let those parts air-dry for at least an hour on a paper towel or cloth.Step 4: Deep CleanUsing a cotton swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol, wipe down the mesh and wire components of each earbud. You can also do the same to the other parts, or use a microfiber cloth instead.Step 5: Dry ThoroughlyAir-dry all components on an absorptive surface like a paper towel or unused microfiber cloth.How to Clean Your Earbuds CaseTetro suggests that earbuds cases are hotbeds for bacteria, and many of us forget to clean them. Here’s how to make that happen. However, before you do this, it’s important to check with your earbuds’ manufacturer to see if they have a recommended cleaning routine, as these cases have complex electrical components that need to dry out before you can use them again.Step 1: Clean the OutsideLightly dampen a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol and wipe the exterior of the case, especially any blemishes or seemingly “greasy” spots.Step 2: Clean the InsideThis is where it gets a bit dicey. Apply a drop or two or isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab and dredge the inside of your earbuds case, taking great care to avoid getting the charging ports damp. Be sure to swab the inside of the top cover as well. If the cotton swab isn’t getting the job done, use a dry brush to tackle particularly grotty zones.Step 3: Dry ThoroughlyLeave the case open on an absorptive surface for several hours to allow the inside to dry.How to Clean Your HeadphonesCleaning a traditional over-the-ear set of headphones is a lot easier than in-ear earbuds, but it still takes a bit of preparation.Step 1: Dry BrushTake a look at your headphones and note any areas that look discolored or shiny, paying particular attention to crevices, corners, and mesh holes. Use your preferred picking tool (usually a brush) to release particles or debris, making sure that the debris falls away from the device and onto your cleaning surface.Step 2: WipeWipe down the exterior of the headphones with a microfiber cloth dampened with diluted dish soap. If your headphones have any removable, non-electronic parts (perhaps a cover or a plush earring), remove and soak them in the cleaning solution for 5 minutes.Step 3: DryDry all components with a paper towel, then leave them to air-dry on a clean absorptive surface.