How to Clean AirPods Max Cushions and Headband
AirPods Max combine removable fabric-covered memory-foam cushions, a knit-mesh headband, anodized ear cups, microphones, and charging electronics. Apple permits a measured laundry-detergent solution on the cushions and headband, but the ear cups and openings need much drier treatment. Holding the headphones upside down while cleaning the headband prevents liquid from running into its attachment points, and Apple's full drying period matters before the cushions are reattached.
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Primary reference: Apple official AirPods Max cleaning instructions. Always check the manual for your exact model.
Quick reference
- Official mixture
- 1 teaspoon liquid laundry detergent in 1 cup water.
- Cushions
- Remove, rub gently for about one minute each, wipe with fresh water, and dry separately.
- Headband
- Hold AirPods Max upside down and clean with a thoroughly wrung cloth.
- Drying
- Wait at least 24 hours and until fabric and foam are dry throughout.
- Avoid
- Soaking, bleach, peroxide, solvents, sprays, compressed air, heat drying, and early reassembly.
What you will need
- Apple's current AirPods Max cleaning instructions
- One clean container
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) liquid laundry detergent
- 1 cup (250 mL) clean water
- Two or more soft, lint-free cloths
- A dry cotton swab for accessible port edges
- A ventilated drying area for at least 24 hours
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Disconnect and prepare the headphones
Remove AirPods Max from their charging cable and Smart Case, stop playback, and place them on a clean towel. Do not clean while connected to power. Remove the magnetic ear cushions by lifting them straight away from the cups. Keep the charging port, speaker openings, microphones, Digital Crown, noise-control button, and headband attachment points away from free liquid.
Step 2: Mix Apple's measured cleaning solution
In a clean container, mix 1 teaspoon, or 5 milliliters, of liquid laundry detergent into 1 cup, or 250 milliliters, of water. Do not make the solution stronger. Apple specifies this mixture for the cushions and headband—not for soaking the ear cups. Avoid bleach, hydrogen peroxide, solvents, abrasive cleaners, aerosol sprays, and household disinfectants on the fabric.
Step 3: Clean each removable cushion
Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution and wring it until damp rather than dripping. Rub each cushion gently for about one minute, working across the fabric without compressing or saturating the memory foam. Use a fresh section of cloth as soil transfers. Do not submerge the cushion or twist it, because retained moisture can take much longer to leave the foam.
Step 4: Clean the headband upside down
Hold AirPods Max upside down so the ear cups remain above the headband attachment points. This orientation is an explicit Apple precaution against liquid flowing into those joints. With the same well-wrung cloth, rub the headband gently for about one minute. Support the mesh from below and avoid stretching, scrubbing, or pressing liquid through it.
Step 5: Remove detergent residue
Dampen a second lint-free cloth with fresh water and wring it thoroughly. Wipe the cushions and headband to lift remaining detergent, again holding the headphones upside down during headband work. Do not rinse either part under a faucet. Blot with a dry cloth until no surface moisture transfers, but do not squeeze the cushion foam or deform the canopy.
Step 6: Wipe the ear cups and controls
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth on the aluminum ear cups, yokes, buttons, and Digital Crown. For an exterior mark that will not lift, use only a barely damp cloth where Apple's general care guidance allows, making certain nothing enters an opening. Do not polish with metal cleaner or spray a product directly onto the headphones.
Step 7: Clean the microphones and charging port dry
Inspect microphone grilles and the charging-port entrance under good light. Lift loose exterior dust with a dry, soft brush or cotton swab without pushing into a grille or port. Do not use compressed air, a metal pick, putty, or liquid in these openings. Persistent charging trouble after the accessible edge is clean may require service rather than deeper probing.
Step 8: Air-dry for at least 24 hours
Lay the cushions separately and leave the headband exposed in a ventilated room for at least 24 hours and until every fabric and foam layer is dry. Do not use a hair dryer, radiator, direct sun, tumble dryer, or oven. Moisture can remain inside a cushion after its exterior feels dry, so extend the wait in humid conditions.
Step 9: Reassemble and check operation
When completely dry, align each cushion with its cup and let the magnets seat it evenly. Check that no fabric edge is folded and reconnect power only after the port is dry. Test the Crown, buttons, microphones, and both channels at moderate volume. If sound is muffled, remove the cushions and continue drying rather than repeatedly operating the headphones.
Specific cleaning questions
Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.