Maintenance Time: How to Avoid and Clean That Headphone Smell

During the weekends, I normally clean up. This time, I decided to go through my tech closet. As I cleaned up, I stumbled upon my old HyperX headphones. I remembered they worked perfectly fine before I stored them, and true enough, they still were when I plugged them in. But… alongside the working audio came something else, a smell that I can only describe as the “oh no” scent. 

Yeah, I know. Gross. But the truth of the matter is that anyone with a pair of headphones would encounter this problem. It’s a distinct combo of dust, sweat, and time that haunts your audio peripheral. And that got me thinking, how do we properly clean our headphones? 

From Nanalan’ official GIPHY

First things first, know that the smell doesn’t come out of nowhere. Know that earphones are basically sweat sponges—yes, very gross. As long as they are worn, they are constantly absorbing moisture and oils from your skin. The easiest fix? Regular wipe-downs. What I mean from that is that you should always clean and wipe it down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Note to avoid alcohol-based cleaners, especially if your headset has leather earcups as they’ll wear out faster. If your pads are removable, you can soak them in lukewarm water with a very very mild detergent, give them a gentle rub, and rinse thoroughly. 

From Xbox official GIPHY

An underrated tip is to give them air. Don’t just return them back into their drawer or case after its use. Let them dry out on a stand or a hook to prevent moisture build-up. If you’re really into maintenance, silica gel packets work wonders inside storage spaces or cases. Since we are in the Philippines, the insane humidity doesn’t help. There are cases where even unused headphones can pick up modly scents just being in a warm spot for too long. So yes, location matters. 

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

Trust me, if you’ve ever taken a deep whiff of your old headphones and regretted it, you’re not alone. Keeping them clean doesn’t just preserve their lifespan—it makes sure your ears don’t suffer in the process.

Now, if your headset has gone too far and needs a replacement, I can suggest the Fifine Ampligame H9 as a budget-friendly option that meets all your audio needs. Don't fret, there are others available in our Next Upgrade Shop!