You accidentally washed them in the washing machine? Or your AirPods fell into a pool of water? Then you should act quickly now! Here we'll show you exactly what you should do now and also what you shouldn't do. With a bit of luck, your AirPods will survive.
Step 1: How to save your AirPods
Is your washing machine still running? If so, stop the cycle. Open the laundry drum and quickly remove the AirPods.
If you washed the AirPods in the charging case, first take the AirPods out of the case.
Pat the charging case and AirPods dry with a soft cloth. You can also use kitchen paper.
Next, carefully shake the water out of the AirPods and charging case.
Attention: Do not blow into the AirPods. This could potentially force the water further into the device.
Now check the connections and check for dirt. If necessary, you can carefully clean the charging contacts with a cotton swab and then carefully pat them dry with new cotton swabs.
Step 2: Dry your AirPods
Now place your AirPods with the opening facing down on a dry cloth or kitchen paper. This allows the liquid to drain away better. If you have AirPods Pro, also remove the silicone ear pads.
If your charging case was also washed, leave it open and upside down to dry on a dry cloth or kitchen paper.
You should let the AirPods dry for at least 24 hours. However, we recommend 2-3 days. Best 3 days.
Important: Under no circumstances should they be charged while they are drying. Otherwise short circuits may occur.
Step 3: Check your dried AirPods
First try charging your AirPods. To do this, put it in the charging case. If the LED light lights up? then charge. This is initially a good sign.
Next, pair the AirPods with your iPhone and test individual functions:
- Can you play music?
- Can you make a phone call?
- Does noise cancellation work?
If the headphones sound normal with these functions? Congratulations, then everything went well again!
Attention: It's really important to test multiple features. Some users report that the AirPods worked properly again with some functions, but not with others.
What not to do after washing your AirPods in the washing machine
You should not blow-dry your AirPods to dry them, nor should you place them on the heater or in the oven!
You should also not try to open the case yourself to drain the liquid. The AirPods are not designed to be opened by yourself. Anyone who tries will most likely break it.
There is a rumor in some forums and posts that you put the AirPods in dry rice because the rice would supposedly remove the moisture. We advise against it.
What can you do if your AirPods sound strange now?
Your AirPods are making noise, scratching, or sound like the sound is coming from far away? You may be able to fix the problem by letting them dry longer.
If that doesn't work, they have water damage and are defective. Even if you still have a warranty on your device, water damage caused by yourself (improper handling) is not covered by the warranty.
That means, in this case, you should get new AirPods. However, if just one of your AirPods doesn't work, you don't have to buy a complete AirPods bundle.
We buy original Airpod bundles and disassemble them into their individual parts, which we then sell again. That means whether you need a single left or right new AirPod, you can find it here. You can also be sure: our AirPods are originals.
Frequently asked questions
Are AirPods waterproof?
AirPods Pro, Pro 2, AirPods 3rd generation and the MagSafe charging cable are sweat and water resistant, but not waterproof, according to
How to dry AirPods after washing machine?
Pat the AirPods dry with a soft cloth or some kitchen paper. Try to gently shake out the water. Then place the AirPods face down and place them on a paper towel to drain any remaining liquid. For AirPods Pro: Also remove the silicone ear pads.
How long do AirPods take to dry
You should let your AirPods dry for at least 24 hours before trying them out again or putting them in the charging case. We recommend that you let your AirPods dry for 2-3 days.
Can you just buy one AirPod?
The manufacturer only sells AirPods in a bundle. In our online shop you can also buy individual AirPods and save money. We buy original AirPods from the manufacturer and disassemble these bundles into their individual parts. Therefore, you can be sure: with us you will only find original AirPods. Even if you only buy a single left or right AirPod.
