Why sound gets muffled over time
The mesh covering an earbud\’s speaker collects earwax and dust with regular use, and that buildup physically blocks sound before it ever reaches your ear — often mistaken for a hardware fault.
Cleaning the earbuds themselves
A dry, soft-bristled brush (a clean, small paintbrush works well) gently sweeps debris off the mesh; avoid anything sharp or metal that could push debris further in or damage the mesh.
Cleaning the charging case
The metal charging contacts inside the case collect skin oil and pocket lint over time — a dry cotton swab wiped gently across them prevents the charging issues this buildup eventually causes.
What to avoid entirely
Never submerge earbuds in water or use alcohol-based cleaners directly on the mesh, even on water-resistant models — the resistance rating covers sweat and rain, not deliberate soaking or solvents.