Cleaning your headphones seems like a simple task in theory, but it can be stressful in practice. Many people count their headphones among their most prized possessions, and the idea of damaging them with harsh solvents or excess moisture is simply too much to bear.

But cleaning headphones is actually easy. You can start by getting in the habit of wiping them down daily with a clean, lint-free cloth. For tough smudges and lingering odours, a simple cleaning solution with water and mild soap should do the trick.

What you need to clean headphones

Cleaning your headphones does not require an extensive (or expensive) list of supplies. Chances are, you already have everything you need at home:

• Water. Tap water should work fine in most places, though you may want to use distilled water if you only have access to hard tap water, which may leave behind mineral deposits if you let your headphones air dry.
• A small amount of washing-up liquid. Opt for a mild washing-up liquid and avoid any soaps that contain dyes or fragrances, as these are more likely to damage your headphones (or leave behind a lingering smell of pine or citrus).
• A soft, dry, lint-free cloth. This can be a normal flannel, a microfibre cloth, or any other type of soft and non-abrasive material. Just make sure it’s clean and avoid materials that may scratch up your headphones or leave behind residue.

And… that’s it! You don’t need any special soaps or cleaning supplies. You certainly do not need harsh chemicals or solvents like isopropyl alcohol or paint thinner, and you should in fact steer clear of these at all costs. Not only are they unnecessary, but they may well ruin your headphones’ finish.

How to clean headphones: A step-by-step guide

Still nervous about cleaning your headphones? We get it. But if you follow these five simple steps, you’ll have a sparkling pair of headphones before you know it.

We’ve designed these steps with our Sonos Ace headphones in mind, but they should apply to any pair of over-ear or on-ear headphones. (To clean in-ear earbuds, refer to your earbuds’ user manual, as they may contain detachable silicon or foam components that are not safe to disinfect with alcohol.)

1. Turn off and/or unplug your headphones

Electricity and water — even just a little water, like the amount we’re using — do not mix. You can avoid unnecessary damage or short circuits by turning off and unplugging your headphones prior to every cleaning session.

2. Mix your cleaning solution

Now it’s time to mix your water and mild soap to create a cleaning solution. For a mild solution that’s still effective, the right ratio is something like:

• 1 cup of water
• ¼ teaspoon of mild washing-up liquid

Don’t worry if your measurements aren’t exact — the point is that you really don’t need much soap to mix an effective solution. Just a few drops should do the trick. On a related note, you shouldn’t need more than one cup of water for a single pair of headphones.

3. Wipe down non-fabric surfaces

A typical pair of headphones has different types of surfaces you’ll need to contend with while cleaning. The hard and non-porous external surfaces (plastic, metal, etc.) are the most straightforward to clean. Start by wiping these surfaces down with a dry, clean cloth. To remove tough smudges, you can dampen the cloth with your mild soap solution.

By “dampen”, we don’t mean “soak.” Your cloth should be damp enough to clean effectively, but not so wet that it leaves droplets of water behind. In any case, take care to avoid any openings or electrical inputs as you clean. If you see a crumb or piece of lint stuck in an input, try to remove it with a soft brush. Just be careful, as you may risk pushing it further in.

4. Remove and clean the ear cushions

Next, remove the ear cushions. This allows you to clean them thoroughly, without risk of damaging the underlying headphone speakers.

You can clean the ear cushions with the same solution and method you used for the non-fabric surfaces. Just keep in mind that they may be constructed from material that’s a bit more delicate, so go a bit easier on them. The ear cushions on Sonos Ace are made from memory foam and wrapped in plush leather, which won’t get damaged by a bit of soap and water.

5. Let dry and reassemble

Before reassembling your headphones, leave the ear cushions off to dry separately, if needed. Some fabrics can soak up water, and it’s best to keep these away from your headphones’ electrical components until they’re totally dry. Air drying is fine, though you can pat lightly with a towel to speed things along a bit.

Once your cushions are dry, pop them back on and enjoy!

How to replace headphone ear cushions

Even with proper cleaning, ear cushions will eventually show signs of wear and tear. In fact, cushions are often the first headphones component to break down, as they’re generally constructed from softer fabric and experience regular friction with the ear.

This is an annoyance you simply have to live with if you own a pair of headphones that doesn’t come with replaceable cushions. But as avid headphone wearers ourselves, we designed Sonos Ace with replaceable cushions that easily attach with magnets. So, if this was ever a sticking point in your quest to choose the right pair of headphones, consider giving Sonos Ace a try.

Things to avoid when cleaning headphones

The biggest issues often arise when people really want their headphones clean and take things a bit too far. When cleaning your headphones, avoid the following at all costs:

• Harsh chemicals and alcohol-based solvents. These are unnecessary and may damage the finish on your headphones.
• Excess moisture. Yes, this includes submerging your headphones in water. Don’t use any more water than you need, as it may get into the electrical components and affect performance.
• Vacuuming microphones. This only applies to headphones with built-in microphones, which can be damaged by applying too much air pressure.

Experience clean sound with Sonos Ace

We’ve always designed Sonos products with audio quality in mind. But with Sonos Ace, we also considered the day-to-day aspects of wearing your favourite pair of headphones. With features like Active Noise Cancellation, 30-hour battery life and pillow-soft ear cushions, you may never want to take them off. Other highlights include:

• A custom-designed driver takes full advantage of the over-ear footprint to deliver spatial audio in a hyperrealistic, three-dimensional soundstage
• An extendable headband for a bespoke fit
• Effortlessly swap TV audio with a compatible Sonos soundbar

Add it all up, and you’re left with the cleanest sound you’ve ever experienced in a pair of headphones — no soap or water required.