How to clean in-ear earphones and when to replace the ear tips

IEMs sit inside the ear, so they collect wax and dust. When the nozzle mesh gets clogged, that side sounds quieter, and many people think the earphone is broken. Cleaning it is almost always enough. It takes five minutes.

What you need

• A soft, lint-free cloth.
• A small soft-bristle brush. A clean, dry toothbrush will do.
• Lukewarm water and mild soap, only for the silicone ear tips.

Step by step

1. Remove the ear tips. Unplug the earphones and pull each ear tip off with a gentle twist.
2. Wash the silicone ones. With lukewarm water and mild soap. Rinse them and let them dry completely.
3. Clean the mesh dry. Run the brush over the nozzle while holding the earpiece with the mesh facing down, so the dirt falls out.
4. Wipe the shell. With the cloth, dry or barely damp.
5. Clean the cable. With the cloth, without wetting the plug or the 2-pin connectors.
6. Put everything back. When everything is dry, push each ear tip all the way onto the nozzle.

Foam ear tips are a separate case

Foam is not washed like silicone: do not soak it or use soap. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth. It wears out with use, which is why it is sold in packs of several pairs. Replace it when it stops recovering its shape, tears or no longer seals.

What not to do

• Put the earphones in water or hold them under the tap.
• Use abrasive products or solvents.
• Poke at the mesh with pins or sharp objects: they push the dirt further in and can damage it.
• Blow compressed air at the mesh.
• Store them with the ear tips still damp.

How often

It depends on use. As a guide: a quick wipe with the cloth when you put them away, and a full clean every week or two if you use them daily. If one side starts to sound quieter, clean it before assuming a fault.

When to replace the ear tips

• If the silicone is torn or misshapen, or comes off the nozzle.
• If they no longer seal: you notice less bass or the earpiece moves.
• If the size has never fitted you well: you may need a different one.

Silicone ear tips come in S, M and L; foam ones seal better and block more noise. How to choose the size: how to wear in-ear earphones properly.

How to store them

Coil the cable loosely and store them dry. Most KZ earphones come without a case; a hard case stops the cable from kinking and the earphones from getting knocked about in your bag or pocket.

Frequently asked questions

Keep reading

Which KZ earphones to buy: the complete guide by use and budgetHow to wear in-ear earphones properly and choose the right ear tipIn-ear earphone glossary: terms explained

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