If you use Apple AirPods all the time and take them with you wherever you go, you might start noticing stains (black marks, lines, smudges, etc.) on the AirPods case. This might be caused by the transfer of pigment from the material that was touching the AirPods case. It might be a pocket in your blue jeans, a backpack pocket, etc. Even though those stains seem hard to clean, there is an easy way to remove the AirPods discoloration. So let’s look at the super simple way to clean stains from the AirPods case.
How to Get Black Marks Off AirPods Case?
If you have accidentally stained your AirPods case, don’t worry. Here is a simple way to remove stains from the AirPods. You will need just one simple tool, an eraser.
Using a regular eraser, I have cleaned blue stains from the AirPods case that were caused by a blue sports backpack. By using the eraser, the marks come right off.
Besides the eraser, I have tried to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It worked great and removed different kinds of stains but compared to the regular eraser, It has removed some of the glossy finish. For this reason, I don’t advise using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
How to Remove Pen Ink or Sharpie From AirPods Case?
If you have accidentally got pen ink or a sharpie on your AirPods Case, you can also use a regular eraser.
It’s that simple 🙂.
Can You Use Acetone to Clean AirPods?
If you wonder whether you can use Acetone to clean stains from your AirPods, stop right there. You should not use Acetone since it melts plastic. In one forum post, a user has reported the disappearance of the glossy finish/polish (source). The same thing applies to a nail polish remover. Acetone is commonly used in nail polish removers, which makes them unsuitable for cleaning AirPods cases.
How to Get Rid of Black Spots/Dots on AirPods Case
If you have two symmetrical black spots or dots in the lower part of the front of your AirPods case, you are probably not going to find any DIY solution. According to multiple forums (one of the sources), this issue, when reported to Apple, has been resolved by replacing the case.
Here is some information that an Apple specialist gave when this issue was consulted (source):
- The two dots were a result of heat,
- You should not use third party cables,
- You should only use a power adapter that comes with an iPhone (not an iPad),
- You should not charge AirPods in a car,
- The spots should not affect the use of the product, and they should not get worse if the above tips are followed.
The bottom line is, if you have this issue, the best option seems to be a visit to the nearest Apple Store.
How to Prevent AirPods Case From Getting Dirty
Even though it is very easy to clean the AirPods case, you still might come across a smudge that won’t come off or, of course, scratches. If you are used to carrying AirPods in your jeans pocket, put them into the tiny pocket (“watch pocket”). It should be a perfect fit for your AirPods case keeping it away from other items in your pocket. As a bonus, you will always know where to look for your AirPods 🙂.
If you no longer want to deal with stains and scratches on your AirPods case, your best bet is an AirPods case cover, which you can buy for as little as $4 on Amazon.
Does your MacBook Pro’s screen have stains you can’t remove?
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Very good
Thank you for the comment, I’m glad you liked it!
Will rubbing alcohol clean the stains? I have grayish stains on the bottom part of the back of my airpods (near the connect button)
Hi, Brea. I have researched if you can use rubbing alcohol on the AirPods case, and here is what I found. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any concrete information on what type of plastic is the AirPods case made out of. Only one website states the material (Polycarbonate plastic). Still, there is no source, so I don’t know if it is correct. But if we assume it is true, then according to chemeurope.com, the interaction of Polycarbonate and Isopropyl Alcohol (often the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol) is considered safe. As you can see, the information is a bit iffy, so in my opinion, your best bet is to try the rubbing alcohol on a small area. If it works, continue on the rest of the stain. Hope this helps.
airpods are mostly made of abs plastic
Oh my gosh, this worked! I read this thinking oh baloney an eraser won’t clean my case but dang my AirPods look brand new!!
Thanks for the comment! I’m glad it helped!
I have a brownish blackish stain that won’t even come off!I used a q tip with soap and and eraser.It helped but not all the way.It’s on the inside though so it’s hard.Help!
Hi Arabella, I am sorry to hear that. Depending on what caused the stain, in some cases, it may be impossible to remove. Unfortunately, I don’t have any other proven methods I could recommend. Take care.