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It turns out you need to clean your earbuds regularly to prevent bacteria growth – and I’ve found a gadget to help you do just that. it earbud cleaning tool It costs just $6, and will help get your AirPods working like new.
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Other than being optimistic that it would work better than Q-tips, I’m not sure what compelled me to buy this little thing last year, but I’m glad I did. And now my knowledge is your knowledge. This AirPods cleaner tool has a 4.5/5 star rating and over 11,000 reviews, so others agree with me.
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It’s dual-ended, with a soft bristle tool on one side, and a sharp scraper and small brush combo on the other. It does its job and is useful.
While ZDNET audio expert Jada Jones says you don’t need a dedicated tool to clean your headphones or earbuds, I like to have this nice tool on hand. This makes it easier for me to clean my AirPods regularly, because with this easy-to-use gadget I have no excuse not to do so.
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In his October 2025 article, Jones reports that Lachel LazarusAudy, an audiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, recommends cleaning your earbuds regularly, especially if you use them daily (which I do).
“We recommend patients keep the earbuds (and) hearing aids clean to prevent any bacteria growth on the device they reinsert into their ears. Extensive use throughout the day does not pose a significant health risk, but we would recommend wiping the earbuds daily,” Lazarus Jones says in the article.
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So if you’ve been wanting to try out a useful gadget to help you clean your AirPods, now’s your chance. grab the tool I use for $6.
Why do I recommend this product?
It’s cheap, easy, and functional, so for me it’s worth it. It also makes the experience of cleaning the AirPods faster, making me more likely to attend to doing so regularly.
