Preserving the water resistance feature of AirPods is crucial for maintaining their functionality and also extending their lifespan. If your devices like your AirPods are water resistant this means that you’re able to use them in various settings from workouts to rainy commutes, giving you peace of mind that your devices won’t be damaged from minor splashes of water.
However, maintaining this feature requires knowledge about AirPods’ water resistance capabilities and common factors that can compromise their integrity. We’ll also go on to discuss practical advice on how to care for and protect your AirPods against water damage.
What Water Resistance Ratings Mean
Be careful not to get the term waterproof confused with water-resistant. AirPods are water-resistant and not waterproof and therefore come with an IPX4 rating meaning they are protected against splashing water from any direction. This rating means that your AirPods can withstand minor water exposure such as sweat during a workout or from light rain. For a deeper understanding of the IPX4 standard and what it entails, Trusted Reviews provides an in-depth look at the water resistance rating.
Factors That Compromise Water Resistance
So how do we maintain the water resistance capabilities of our AirPods? First, let’s dive into how certain factors can compromise this protective feature. Understanding these risks will enable you to take preventative measures to ensure your AirPods water resistance feature remains intact. Below is the list of key factors that can negatively affect the water-resistance of your AirPods:
Exposure to Harsh Environments
Be cautious of extreme temperatures, high humidity, and prolonged exposure to sunlight as this can accelerate the deterioration of water-resistant seals and materials.
Chemical Damage from Improper Cleaning Products
Sometimes we aren’t mindful of what cleaning agents we use to clean our AirPods. Apple recommends not using such chemicals as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or any abrasive cleaners as this can damage the water-resistant seals of AirPods. Sticking to Apple’s cleaning guidelines provided by the manufacturer will help you avoid chemical erosion of protective coatings.
Mechanical Damage from Drops or Impacts
Accidental drops or impacts can cause damage by cracking or dislodging the seals that maintain water resistance. Even small damages can increase your chances of moisture penetrating the internal components of the AirPods, leading to potential water damage.
Preventive Measures to Maintain Water Resistance
Now that we’ve discussed what compromises water resistance on your AirPods let's get into what preventative measures you can take to ensure you preserve the water resistance capabilities of your earbud devices.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to clean your AirPods regularly. Avoid the use of liquid or wet cleaning agents on the AirPods themselves. Where there is stubborn debris, go ahead and use a dry cotton swab around the microphone and speaker meshes.
If you want to use a cleaning agent to disinfect your AirPods, Apple recommends using 70% isopropyl alcohol. Refer to Apple’s guidelines for specific cleaning instructions.
Suitable Cleaning Products and Methods
There are certain products that contain ingredients that might wear down the water-resistant capabilities of your AirPods. To ensure longevity of your AirPods’ water resistance, we recommend to avoid the following:
- Soaps and Detergents
These products often contain harsh chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which can hugely impact and damage the protective coatings as well as the water-resistant seals of your AirPods. While SLS is effective for cleaning oil and grease on other surfaces, its use on your AirPods can lead to deterioration of the silicone or rubber seals and strip away the specialized water-resistant coatings designed to protect your internal electronic components.
- Abrasive Cleaners
Avoid dish scrubs or certain wipes with textured rough surfaces as these can cause microscopic scratches on the surfaces of your AirPods. These not only affect the appearance of your earbud device but also wear down the water-resistant coating, making your device more susceptible to water damage.
- Solvents
Avoid using common household items like alcohol-based hand sanitizers, window or glass cleaners, and nail polish remover to clean your AirPods. While it may be tempting to use these readily available products for disinfection their high concentration of alcohol, ammonia, and acetone can strip the protective coatings and dissolve the adhesives. This damage then leads to high susceptibility to moisture damage.
Enhance Device Maintenance with Hybuds Pen
Looking for a non-chemical cleaning solution for your AirPods? Try our very own innovative tool the Hybuds Pen. It employs a mechanical cleaning process that safely preserves the water-resistant coating of your earbud devices. Featuring a metal tip for speaker mesh cleansing, a soft brush, and a flocking sponge, the Hybuds Pen will thoroughly clean your AirPods and their charging case. Discover the benefits of precision cleaning with this compact tool.
