How to Remove Yellow Stains from Airpods

Mix baking soda and water into a paste. Gently scrub stained areas using a soft toothbrush. Let sit briefly, then rinse under water. The abrasive texture lifts stains safely. Dry thoroughly before use. For tough stains, seek professional cleaning services like PodSwap.

AirPods are susceptible to discoloration and yellow stains over time from regular use, earwax buildup, and exposure to dirt and oils. Removing these stubborn stains can seem daunting for AirPods users, but is absolutely achievable with the right techniques and cleaning solutions about How to Remove Yellow Stains from Airpods.

This comprehensive guide will provide easy, practical solutions to get your AirPods looking clean and white again. We’ll cover common causes of yellowing, step-by-step cleaning methods, preventive measures, and alternative solutions using household ingredients and cleaning airpods.

Common Causes of Yellow Stains on AirPods

Understanding why AirPods turn yellow is the first step to fixing the issue. Here are the most common culprits behind yellow discoloration:

• Earwax buildup – The wax from our ears can accumulate on AirPods over time. The oxidation of this wax leads to a yellow/orange tint.
• Oils from skin – Natural oils secreted by skin can get onto the AirPods surface and oxidize into stains.
• Dirt and dust – Particles in the air settle into small crevices, resulting in a dingy appearance.
• Chemicals in cosmetics – Ingredients in makeup, creams, hair products etc. can transfer onto AirPods and discolor.
• Smoke residue – Tobacco, vaping or other smoke particles cling to AirPods and cause yellowing.
• UV exposure – Sunlight and heat accelerates the breakdown of chemicals on the white plastic surface.

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent these factors from permanently staining your AirPods.

7 Solutions for Removing Stubborn Yellow Stains

Don’t lose hope if your AirPods have turned yellow already. Here are powerful cleaning methods guaranteed to bring back the bright white sheen:

1. Remove Debris with a Dry Toothbrush

• Gently brush the entire AirPod surface, mesh and all crevices with a clean dry toothbrush. This dislodges any wax, dirt or grime buildup.
• Take extra care around the speaker and microphone meshes to loosen debris.
• Finally, use a microfiber cloth to wipe off all loosened particles.

2. Clean with Soapy Water

• In a small bowl, make a diluted soap solution using 2-3 drops of liquid dish soap in water.
• Dip the toothbrush in the soapy water and scrub stains on the AirPods.
• Rinse under running water to wash away any soap residue.
• Air dry completely or pat dry with a microfiber cloth before charging.

3. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

• Dip a cotton swab or soft-bristled brush in hydrogen peroxide.
• Gently rub on stained areas and wait 1-2 minutes for it to lift stains.
• Rinse with water and dry with a cloth.

4. Whiten with Baking Soda

• Make a paste using baking soda and water.
• Apply paste on discolored areas using a toothbrush.
• Let it sit briefly, then rinse under water. The abrasive texture lifts stains.
• Dry thoroughly before using AirPods again.

5. Remove Earwax with Almond Oil

• Apply a few drops of almond oil directly on hardened earwax.
• Let it soak for 10-15 minutes to soften wax.
• Rinse under water while scrubbing with a toothbrush to dissolve and displace earwax.

6. Disinfect with Alcohol Wipes

• Use rubbing alcohol wipes designed for electronics to disinfect AirPods and prevent germ buildup.
• Wipe down the entire surface and crevices with alcohol wipes.
• Let AirPods air dry fully before use.

7. Whiten Plastic with Magnesium Oxide

• Make a paste with magnesium oxide powder and water.
• Apply paste on stained plastic parts of AirPods with a toothbrush.
• Rinse after 5 minutes once the paste dries. The magnesium oxide polishes and bleaches plastic.
• Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Quick Fixes Using Household Ingredients

Don’t have cleaning products on hand? Use these handy household items to remove stains in a pinch:

White vinegar – The acidic vinegar breaks down stain residues. Dip a cloth in undiluted vinegar and rub on discoloration.

Lemons – Fresh lemon juice bleaches and deodorizes. Cut a lemon half and scrub wedges directly on the stains.

Sea salt – The grainy texture scrubs away dirt. Make a paste with salt and lemon juice. Apply and rinse.

Coconut oil – Has cleansing fatty acids. Rub a few drops of coconut oil into stains and wipe clean.

Toothpaste – Baking soda or whitening toothpaste acts as a polishing abrasive.

Rubbing alcohol – Disinfects and evaporates fast. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and spot clean stained spots.

9 Prevent Yellow Stains from Returning

1. Prevention is key to keeping AirPods looking pristine white for longer:
2. Clean AirPods regularly with disinfectant wipes to prevent buildup of earwax, dirt and oils.
3. Avoid applying lotions, makeup or hair products near AirPods to prevent transferring stains.
4. Rinse AirPods under water after sweaty workouts to wash away salt and sweat residue.
5. Use a dry toothbrush to gently brush the microphone and speaker mesh every few days.
6. invest in a skin-friendly earwax removal kit to routinely clean ears and AirPods.
7. When not in use, keep AirPods in their case to avoid dust and sun exposure.
8. Consider purchasing AirPod protective cases in light colors that hide stains.
9. Replace eartips regularly as the cushioning tends to absorb earwax and oils over time.

Additional Readings:

How to clean black stuff off airpods case.

When to Seek Professional Help

If DIY cleaning methods fail to remove tough yellow stains from AirPods, seek professional help:

Apple Store – Genius bar experts may be able to deep clean and replace parts using proprietary tools, for a price.

Authorized service centers – Licensed third-party Apple repair shops offer device cleaning for a fee.

Mail-in services like PodSwap – Send dirty AirPods by mail for professional cleaning and refurbishment. Costs around $45.

Local electronics repair shop – Find a reputable shop to inspect and scrub stained AirPods with ultrasonic cleaners.

How to Remove Yellow Stains from Airpods? While yellow stains can be unsightly and difficult to remove, don’t resort to any drastic chemical cleaning that can permanently damage plastic surfaces. Follow these tips diligently to restore your AirPods to their gleaming glory!