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.

I just pop mine in my mouth every now and then.

You can buy a big box of alcohol wipes for cheap. They're great for cleaning small things like earbuds and the case.

😛

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.

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.

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

A quick wipe on my shirt and back in the ear it goes. I'll do an occasional wipe with alcohol if they get extra gunky but that's about it.

I may or may not be a gremlin.

Toothpick

I know this might sound like overkill but I have ear issues so it's necessary for me.

Tips go in a little dish of 99% iso alcohol. Don't have to worry about the whole evaporation to water ratio that is often mentioned. Then if there is visible crud I will use a soft textured toothbrush (like for kids, the extra soft kind) and let them air dry (which is very fast because alcohol)

For the rest, a cotton swab dry to remove crud, and then all the parts go into a UV sterilization box (open the lid of the case to make sure the UV gets in there too)

It's a whole ritual but it keeps me from getting irritated ears.

And yes I have over the ear headphones but I can't lug those around everywhere all the time like earbuds.

And never ever use soap because it can and will break water surface tension and penetrate barriers like the speaker and microphone grills.

i dip it in piss. nothing survives in that

I use an old toothbrush to get all the bits of crud out, then wipe down with disinfectant hand wipes.

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.

does the 30 second rule count?

big trouble if people can't count to 30.

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.

give it a good rinse in acetone