How to Clean Your Gaming Headset

Alexis Labadie Avatar

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:13 PM

You might not realize just how much dirt gets on your wired headset or wireless headset during each use. Additionally, if you take your best gaming headset with you using a bag, you’ll get dirt from these places and the bag itself. Since you use your device regularly for long periods of time, you should know how to clean your gaming headset.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • You should use a mix of 70% Isopropyl alcohol and 30% water to clean your preferred gaming headset according to several brands.
  • Cleaning your headset removes dirt for over-ear headphones and dirt and ear wax from in-ear headsets.
  • When you clean your headset, you need microfiber cloths, cotton swabs, a toothbrush, a towel, and soapy water.

You need several household items to clean your gaming headset, including microfiber cloths, cotton swabs like Q-tips, a toothbrush or small device brush, a washcloth or towel, and soapy water. If you’re having trouble with your battery life, you should also learn how to change batteries in a gaming headset.

How to Wash a Headset or Headphones

You probably need to set aside enough time to clean the gaming headset and its earcups and let them dry. Ensure the earcups have dried completely before placing them back on the headset. You may also be interested in how to configure a 7.1 headset for gaming.

Insider Tip

Some headset ear pads can be cleaned in the washing machine.

Do not purchase a higher ratio of alcohol to water because it can strip the color from your headset and your ear pads. Ensure you do not use any thinner, solvents, or benzene when cleaning the device. Also, check the material on your earpads to determine what cleaning method to use for that particular material, such as mesh, leather, or velour. You can put some of these earpads in the washing machine.

Steps

STEP 1

Remove your earpads and unplug your cable if possible. You might not be able to remove your earpads, so do not continue trying if they don’t come off easily. Additionally, some headsets do not let you remove the cable.

STEP 2

Clear the dirt and grime from the ear cup’s surface with a damp towel or washcloth. Make sure to use a cotton swab to remove dirt around the dials and buttons on the headset. Try to remove as much water as you can before wiping your earcups off. Some headset manufacturers recommend using a moist microfiber cloth and moving in circles.

STEP 3

Let the earcups air dry. Do not reassemble the headset yet because you still need to wipe it down again to remove grime and disinfect it thoroughly.

STEP 4

With a disinfectant or warm water solution mixed with dish soap or detergent, soak a washcloth for a few minutes. By doing so, you ensure the soap solution fully saturates the washcloth. For specific headphones by Razer, they recommend using a 70% Isopropyl alcohol-based cleaning solution.

STEP 5

Squeeze as much water as possible out of the damp cloth before using it. You do not want any liquid getting into the ear of your headset because it contains circuitry for the microphone and audio.

STEP 6

Wipe down the earcup’s surface again, making sure to get any possible dirt. You can use a clean Q-tip again if you see dirt in and around the buttons. Again, try to avoid getting water inside the ear and speaker.

STEP 7

Pull your headphones so that they are fully extended, allowing you to wipe each surface with the cleaning solution and soft cloth. You should do the same with your microphone. Make sure these areas dry before retracting them. Some Arctis headphones have a removable headband, which can be washed by hand or thrown in the washer.

STEP 8

Clean the ear pads as detailed in your manual. Different materials require unique treatment methods, so this process depends mainly on the headset model. You may have mesh, leather, velour, foam material, or other materials in your earpads.

STEP 9

Air dry all components before reassembling the headset product.

STEP 10

Enjoy your newly sanitized headset.

Warning

Some headsets get dirt inside the retractable headband, so you should make sure you pull them to their full size and clean them to keep them in good working order.

F.A.Q.S

Why do we need to clean our headphones?

As we use our headphones, they gather dirt and germs. So, you should wash it to keep your headset clean and avoid future infections or sores around the head.


Can you wash headset pads?

You can wash your earpads, but you will need specific instructions related to your earpad type. Your user’s guide should have these instructions, or you might find them on your manufacturer’s website.


How do I get rid of the sweat smell from headphones?

You should be able to remove any smells by following the headset cleaning method as described above, including your earpads.



STAT: Use a ratio of 70% Isopropyl alcohol to 30% water, as found in common cleaning solutions. (source)

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