Most accessories fail early for boring reasons: earwax packed into the mesh, sweat left on the charging contacts, a cable bent at the same spot every night, a leather strap soaked once too often. A few minutes of care prevents most of that, and it also keeps you on the right side of the warranty, because liquid damage, drops and home repairs are among the most common warranty exclusions. Always check your own model's manual first; the steps below come from the makers' own care pages.
Earbuds and headphones
Gentle and dry is the common rule. Samsung's US support page tells Galaxy Buds owners to use a dry cotton swab and a dry brush on the ear tip and mesh, a soft dry cloth for earwax, never a metal or wire brush, and not to hold the bud upright while cleaning so debris does not fall inside. Sony's care page for its WF-1000XM4 earbuds says to wipe off moisture with a soft dry cloth, not to wash the ear tips or use wet wipes, and not to use compressed air, which can push dust into the microphones. Apple says never to run AirPods under water or clean them with sharp or abrasive tools.
Brands disagree about liquids and alcohol, so follow your own brand:
| Brand care page | Water | Alcohol and cleaners | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods | A cloth slightly dampened with fresh water if they meet soap, lotion or similar; never under running water | A little isopropyl alcohol on a cloth, for the charging case only | Sharp or abrasive tools; anything pushed into the ports |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds | No liquids on the earbuds | No alcohol or soapy water | Metal or wire brushes |