If you are an audiophile then you are very likely to own a pair or more of in-ear or over-ear headphones. The 
headphones tend to get dirty due to build-up of sweat, ear wax, and dirt. In fact, headphones are often found to be a store-house of various types of germs and bacteria which makes it risky for your ears in the long run. So, it is necessary for you to make sure that you clean your headphones regularly. A clean pair of headphones will not expose you to health risks and they will remain in excellent condition too.
Steps to Clean Over-Ear or Around-Ear Headphones
When you have to clean a set of over-ear or around-ear headphones, you have to make sure that you first follow the manufacturers’ instructions because some brands might have a list of special ingredients that you need to use in order to clean out the headphones without causing any kind of permanent damage.
You will have to buy the following supplies if you have to clean your over-ear or around-ear headphones:
- Cleaning spray (alcohol-based)
- Rubbing alcohol or Isopropyl alcohol (with 70% or more alcohol)
- Clean and soft pieces of cloth or rag
- Q-tips
- Water (in room temperature)
Before you start your work, you can do a bit of patch testing by using a bit of rubbing alcohol or cleaning spray on a selected spot to check for color fading or fabric damage.
Step 1: Remove the ear cups from the headphones as this will make the mesh underneath more easily accessible.
Step 2: Dampen one piece of cloth in a little bit of water so that it is moist but not dripping. Now rub throughout vigorously on the ear cups as well as on the main unit to remove accumulated dirt and grime.
Step 3: Dampen a second fresh piece of cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and then clean the whole surface of the ear cups and the main headphone unit using this piece of rag. This step is very important as it properly disinfects your headphone and gets it rid of any bacteria or germs.
Step 4: Now take some rubbing alcohol on the Q-tip and clean out the nooks and corners. Make sure that you are reaching every crevice on the ear-cups and the headphone unit.
Step 5: Soak another piece of cloth in rubbing alcohol, stretch out the headphones to maximum size, and give a good rub. Be careful to apply adequate pressure but do not go overboard so as to break the set.
Step 6: Take another Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the mesh on the speaker with utmost care. Clean the microphone and the adjustable arm as well with this Q-tip if your headphone has one.
Step 7: Put some cleaning spray on another cloth pad and give your entire headphone set a final thorough cleaning with it.
Step 8: Leave the parts in a cool and dry place for some time to dry them out naturally. Then assemble the pieces and you have gotten yourself a clean and sparkling headphone set which is as good as new.
Steps to Clean In-Ear Headphones
If you own a set of in-ear headphones, you are in greater risk of getting an ear infection. The earphones sit inside your ears, often sealing out external air circulation. Though the sound quality might be amazing, the chances of 
germs and bacteria build-up increases and you have to take proper care to make sure that the headphones are clean and hygienic for you to use.
You will have to buy the following supplies if you have to clean your in-ear headphones:
- Cleaning spray (alcohol-based)
- Rubbing alcohol or Isopropyl alcohol (with 70% or more alcohol)
- Clean and soft pieces of cloth or rag
- Q-tips
- Water (in room temperature)
- Toothpick made of wood
- Adhesive like Blu-Tack
- Warm soapy water
Some earphones have silicone ear-tips. If you own a headphone set that is equipped with silicone ear-tips then you have to remove them and clean them separately with warm soapy water. Be careful to not tear the silicone tips while you clean and rinse them. Let them air-dry.
Step 1: If your earphones come with foam pads which are removable then take them off and wash them with soapy water and rinse in warm water. You can also dab some rubbing alcohol to disinfect it.
Step 2: Dampen one piece of cloth in a little bit of water so that it is moist but not dripping. Now rub throughout vigorously on the entire unit to remove accumulated dirt and grime.
Step 3: Remove the ear wax or any other kind of build-up from the wire mesh using the wooden
toothpick but take care to not damage the mesh.
Step 4: Take some Blu-Tack adhesive pad and warm it in your hands. Press it gently onto the wire mesh and pull it out to remove sticky dirt and grime. Repeat this step a few times to get a completely clean speaker mesh.
Step 5: Dampen a second fresh piece of cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and then clean the whole surface of the earphone unit using this piece of rag. This step is very important as it properly disinfects your headphone and gets it rid of any bacteria or germs.
Step 6: Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and use it to disinfect the speaker mesh. This will get rid of any remaining grime.
Step 7: Put some cleaning spray on another cloth pad and give your entire headphone set a final thorough cleaning with it.
Step 8: Leave the parts in a cool and dry place for some time to dry them out. Then assemble the pieces and you have gotten yourself a clean and sparkling in-ear headphone set which is as good as new.
You will know that you have done proper cleaning of your headphones when it looks clean, smells good, and does not show any streaks or residue of cleaning agent. A good cleaning routine will ensure that your headphones stay in a hygienic condition and also last you for a long time.