How to Clean Airpods Case Stains [6 Steps]

For most stains, dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently rub the case area for 30 seconds. Adhesive residue can be lifted by pressing on blu tack then peeling it off. Be extra gentle around openings, taking care no moisture enters inside. Fast fixes restore case shine!

Over time, your AirPods charging case can accumulate dirt, grease, makeup, ink, food residue, and other tough stains that are unsightly and difficult to remove. But don’t worry – with a few household items and some elbow grease, you can get clean your AirPods case looking freshly new!

In this comprehensive cleaning guide, you’ll learn simple techniques and solutions for banishing all types of stubborn stains from your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max case.

We’ll cover:

• Identifying common AirPods case stains
• Assembling the best cleaning materials
• Step-by-step directions to lift dirt, grease, glue, makeup, pen marks, and sticky residue
• Special tips for sanitizing after deep cleaning
• Preventing future case staining and damage

With minimal effort, you can restore the pristine white sheen to your AirPods case. Let’s get started!

Examine Case Exterior

Before scrubbing away, take a close look at the outside of clean your AirPods case to identify problem areas:  

• Scan entire surface for stains  
• Check crevices for sticky debris
• Inspect charging port for packed-in dirt
• Detect faint marks in bright light

Pinpointing stain locations first allows you to tailor cleaning techniques. Make notes on stubborn marks needing extra effort too.

Assemble Cleaning Toolkit

To lift various soils, our cleaning arsenal will utilize:

• Distilled white vinegar (cuts grease, disinfects)
• 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Cotton swabs & soft toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth & terry towels
• Blu Tack or poster putty
• Toothpicks and delicate cleaning picks
• Small soft-bristle detail brush
• Lint-free camera lens wipes

Avoid harsh chemicals that could react with the case’s oleophobic coating. Also skip abrasive scrub pads that risk scratching. How to Clean Airpods Case Stains?

Now let’s get that case sparkling!

Step 1: Lift Surface Dirt

For light dust and dirt maintenance cleaning:

• Dampen microfiber slightly with distilled vinegar
• Gently wipe down entire case exterior
• Fold cloth and repeat motions until dirt lifted
• Buff gently with dry microfiber

The mild acidity in vinegar cleans without adding moisture that could damage case electronics.

For set-in grime in crevices, dip the edge of a toothpick, delicate pick, or soft-bristle brush in vinegar and lightly agitate debris to dissolve and lift. Remove any packed-in pocket lint around the edges too.

Step 2: Remove Grease & Oil

Oily fingerprints, makeup, and residues often plague AirPods cases. Tackle these organics by:

• Dabbing cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol
• Gently rubbing stained area for 30 seconds
• Using multiple swabs if needed to prevent spreading grease
• Lifting any softened residue with dry swab edge  

The alcohol solvent breaks down lipids and lifts pigmented makeup very effectively. Take special care around decals.

For tougher grease, spray a microfiber with an alcohol-vinegar mix instead for extra dissolving power on marks.

Step 3: Eliminate Sticky Residue

Adhesives from stickers and tape can annoyingly remain behind even after you remove them. To erase tacky adhesive without damaging the case:

• Mold blu tack into a small flattened surface
• Lightly dab blu tack onto glue for 10 seconds  
• Peel slowly straight up to pull residue off case
• Repeat dabbing and removing until no residue left

The blu tack provides just enough gentle traction to remove stubborn sticky spots without hassle or scrubbing.

An alcohol-soaked cotton tip alternated with blu tack pressing can also effectively loosen glue.

Step 4: Remove Ink, Paint & Pigment

To lift stubborn makeup stains, pen marks, paint drips, permanent marker, nail polish spills, and other pigments:

• Spot test rubbing alcohol on small case area first  
• Dip cotton tip in alcohol and gently rub stain for 1 minute
• Check swab tip – ink should transfer from case to cotton  
• Repeat with clean swabs until no more color lifts
• Rinse with water if needed to control smearing

Isopropyl alcohol is highly effective at breaking down pigments. Take care around paperwork inserts or decals during this stain removal as alcohol can cause running ink or damage if overapplied.

For tough acrylic nail polish, apply 100% pure acetone with a cotton tip instead, testing carefully first. The harsh solvent power requires extra caution but dissolves nail products very well.

Step 5: Clean Tricky Case Areas

Use specialty tools from your cleaning kit when tackling tight case spots:

Charging Port: Carefully wipe a cotton swab soaked in alcohol or vinegar around the entire recessed port perimeter to clean.

Hinge crevices: Use a toothpick, delicate pick, or soft-bristle brush dipped in alcohol to gently swab out and lift debris packed into narrow hinge grooves.

Mesh grille: For original AirPods cases, gently sweep thru grille openings with a small brush to displace dirt.

Microphone & speaker holes: Use lint-free camera lens wipes dampened slightly with solution to swab holes clean. Avoid liquid pooling near any openings!

Take it slow and gentle on all ports, vents, and perforations. Compressed air can also help blow out case dust between cleanings.

If moisture gets inside though, dry out the case for 24 hours with help from an external fan or desiccant pack before attempting to charge again.

Step 6: Sanitize Case

For bonus protection against germs after an intensive cleaning session:

• Disinfect a microfiber cloth with a 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol wipe
• Thoroughly wipe down the entire case exterior, handles, and crevices
• Allow 1 minute contact time before gently buffing dry

To sanitize without alcohol, dilute 5 tablespoons of bleach into 1 gallon water instead and apply with a disinfectant spray, waiting 5 minutes before drying.

Take proper safety precautions when using either sanitizer. This kills any lingering bacteria for peace of mind!

Prevent Future Staining

To curb recurring AirPods case stains after restoring to glory:

• Use an electronics-safe UV sanitizer regularly
• Apply a clear matte case skin for stain protection
• Install a decal catch ring around charging case lips
• Avoid tossing case loose into messy bags or purses
• Clean immediately after any spills or stains occur
• Wipe down weekly or biweekly in high-traffic environments  

An ounce of prevention now saves you from intensive cleaning headaches down the road!

Additional Readings:

How to Clean Airpods for Better Sound.

How to Clean Airpod Max Ear Cups.

When To Replace Your Case

If the previous cleaning suggestions cannot resuscitate your AirPods case cosmetically, or if cracks, chips, or electronic damage occur, replacing the case may become necessary.

Thankfully, direct case replacements are fairly affordable from Apple starting at $99. And take heart – all your AirPods components will seamlessly transfer over into a fresh new housing!

Closing Thoughts

How to Clean Airpods Case Stains? I hope this AirPods case cleaning guide empowers you to spruce up dirty cases plagued by all types of ugly stains! Together we walked through practical solutions and cleaning best practices.   

Stay vigilant against future case contamination by handling carefully, wiping diligently after exposure to liquids and grime, and regularly disinfecting. But when stains inevitably strike, remember these cleaning tips – no mess is too stubborn to tackle!

Let me know if you have any other AirPods cleaning challenges I can help advise on. Happy stain fighting!