How to Clean AirPods Max Cushions Safely: Apple’s Method, Step by Step

If your AirPods Max cushions look dingy, feel oily, or have picked up sweat and everyday grime, the safest approach is not to improvise with stronger chemicals. Apple’s current AirPods Max cleaning instructions, published September 13, 2024, give a specific cushion-cleaning method: mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid laundry detergent with 1 cup (250 mL) of water, clean with a wrung-out lint-free cloth, wipe again with a separate cloth slightly dampened with fresh water, dry with a soft cloth, and then let the headphones dry flat for at least a day before reattaching the cushions.

That guidance is more important than any “quick hack” because AirPods Max are not waterproof or water resistant, and Apple specifically says not to use disinfecting wipes or alcohol on the ear cushions or knit mesh canopy. The full manufacturer instructions are available in Apple’s AirPods Max cleaning guide.

What should you decide before you start?

Three questions matter more than the stain itself:

• Are you cleaning the removable cushions, or the metal/plastic exterior? Apple allows some disinfecting wipes on exterior surfaces, but not on the cushions or knit mesh canopy.
• Can you leave the headphones unused for at least a full day? Apple says to lay AirPods Max flat to dry for at least a day before reattaching the cushions and using them again.
• Is the cushion simply dirty, or is it physically damaged? Cleaning can remove surface soil and oils, but it cannot repair torn fabric, collapsed foam, or structural wear.

Can you use rubbing alcohol or disinfecting wipes on AirPods Max cushions?

No. Apple says 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes may be used gently on the exterior surfaces of AirPods Max, but explicitly says not to use them on the knit mesh canopy or ear cushions. Apple also says not to use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide and not to submerge AirPods Max in cleaning agents.

That distinction is easy to miss. The fact that alcohol is allowed on some hard exterior surfaces does not make it a cushion cleaner. For the cushions, stay with Apple’s detergent-and-water method.

Should you remove the cushions before cleaning them?

Yes. Apple’s procedure starts by removing the cushions from the ear cups. This keeps the cleaning work focused on the removable fabric-and-foam components and reduces the chance of pushing moisture toward openings in the headphones.

What supplies do you actually need?

• Liquid laundry detergent
• 1 cup (250 mL) of water
• A clean container
• Two lint-free cloths for wet cleaning and rinsing
• One soft, dry, lint-free cloth
• A clean, dry surface where the headphones can remain flat for at least a day

You do not need alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, a brush, a washing machine, or an abrasive cleaner for Apple’s official cushion-cleaning process.

How to clean AirPods Max cushions step by step

1. Remove both cushions and set the headphones somewhere dry

Take both cushions off the ear cups before introducing any cleaning solution. Set the headphones on a clean, dry surface where the exposed ear cups will not come into contact with water or a damp cloth.

Apple warns that AirPods Max and the Smart Case are not waterproof or water resistant, so moisture control is part of the cleaning process—not an optional precaution.

2. Mix Apple’s detergent solution exactly

In a clean container, mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid laundry detergent into 1 cup (250 mL) of water. There is no benefit to making the solution stronger. More detergent means more residue to remove later and does not change Apple’s recommended method.

3. Dip a lint-free cloth, then wring it out

Dip a lint-free cloth into the detergent solution and wring it out slightly. The cloth should be damp enough to transfer the solution but not dripping. This is one of the most important practical details: you are cleaning the surface of the cushions, not soaking the foam.

4. Rub each cushion gently for about one minute

Apple says to rub the cloth gently on the cushions for one minute each. Work around the full fabric surface, including areas that contact your skin. Use steady, light pressure rather than aggressive scrubbing.

If one spot is still slightly discolored after a minute, do not immediately switch to alcohol, bleach, or an abrasive cleaner. Finish the full Apple process first, let the cushion dry, then reassess. Some discoloration may be permanent wear rather than removable dirt.

5. Wipe away detergent with a separate fresh-water cloth

Take a second lint-free cloth, dampen it slightly with fresh water, and wipe the cushions clean. This removes detergent left on the surface. Do not rinse the cushions under a faucet and do not submerge them in a bowl of water; Apple’s procedure uses a damp cloth rather than immersion.

At this stage, the fabric should no longer feel soapy or slick. If it does, repeat the fresh-water cloth wipe rather than adding more detergent.

6. Dry the surface with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth

Use a dry cloth to remove as much surface moisture as possible. Press and blot rather than twisting, wringing, or compressing the cushions aggressively.

While the cushions are off, keep the exposed ear cups dry. Apple’s general AirPods Max guidance says to avoid getting liquid in openings.

7. Lay the headphones and cushions flat and wait at least a day

This is the step most likely to be rushed. Apple says to lay AirPods Max flat to dry for at least a day before reattaching the cushions and using the headphones again. Surface dryness is not enough; the cushion foam can retain moisture longer than the outer fabric appears to.

Do not shorten the process with a hair dryer, radiator, clothes dryer, or other heat source. Apple’s guidance is to allow the device to dry before use, not to force-dry it with heat.

8. Reattach only when everything is completely dry

After at least a day, check the cushions carefully. They should feel dry on the outer fabric and around the inner opening, with no cool damp feeling or detergent residue. Reattach them only when they are fully dry.

How do you know the cushions are clean enough?

Do not judge success only by whether every faint mark disappeared. A good result is more practical:

• The cushions no longer feel oily or tacky.
• Visible surface grime has been removed or substantially reduced.
• No detergent film remains after the fresh-water wipe.
• The fabric has not been frayed or abraded by cleaning.
• The cushions are fully dry before reattachment.
• There is no new odor from trapped detergent or moisture.

If the cushions are clean to the touch but still slightly discolored, further scrubbing may do more harm than good. Fabric can change color with age, skin oils, cosmetics, UV exposure, and wear. Cleaning cannot always restore the original shade.

Can you soak AirPods Max cushions?

Apple’s current instructions do not tell you to soak the cushions. Instead, Apple says to dip a lint-free cloth into the detergent solution, wring it out, and rub the cushions with the cloth. That keeps the amount of water under control.

Because the cushions contain fabric and foam, soaking them would also create a much larger drying problem. Sticking to the manufacturer’s damp-cloth process is the more controlled choice.

Can you put AirPods Max cushions in a washing machine?

Apple’s official cleaning procedure does not recommend machine washing. The published process is manual cleaning with a lint-free cloth and diluted liquid laundry detergent. A washer adds uncontrolled agitation and saturation, neither of which is part of Apple’s method.

The same logic applies to a clothes dryer: Apple tells you to lay the headphones flat and let them dry for at least a day. Heat-based drying is not part of the recommended procedure.

What if the cushions still smell after cleaning?

First, make sure they are truly dry. A cushion that retains moisture can smell different even after dirt has been removed. Give the full drying period—and longer if the foam still feels cool or damp—before deciding the odor remains.

If the smell persists after correct cleaning and complete drying, repeat only the manufacturer-approved process rather than adding perfume, disinfectant, alcohol, or another chemical. If odor remains severe or the fabric/foam is worn, replacement may be more appropriate than increasingly aggressive cleaning.

What if makeup, sunscreen, hair products, or oil got on the cushions?

Apple lists soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfumes, solvents, detergent, acids, insect repellent, sunscreen, oil, and hair dye among substances that can stain or damage AirPods Max. For the device generally, Apple says to wipe affected areas with a cloth slightly dampened with fresh water and dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth, then wait until completely dry before use.

For the removable cushions specifically, use the cushion procedure above rather than trying a stronger stain remover. The official instructions do not provide a separate solvent treatment for makeup or oil stains on the cushions.

When should you stop cleaning and consider replacing the cushions?

Cleaning has limits. Consider replacement rather than repeated scrubbing if you see:

• Torn or fraying fabric
• Foam that stays permanently compressed
• Separation between layers
• Persistent odor after correct cleaning and complete drying
• Discoloration that does not improve but the cushion otherwise feels clean
• Reduced comfort or fit caused by physical wear

Apple’s service instructions also treat AirPods Max ear cushions as removable items; for example, Apple tells customers to remove the cushions before sending AirPods Max in for service. That reinforces the practical distinction between the replaceable cushion and the headphone hardware.

What should you never do?

• Do not run AirPods Max under water.
• Do not submerge the headphones in cleaning agents.
• Do not use alcohol or disinfecting wipes on the ear cushions or knit mesh canopy.
• Do not use bleach or hydrogen peroxide products.
• Do not use sharp objects or abrasive materials.
• Do not reattach or use the cushions before they are completely dry.
• Do not let cleaning liquid enter openings in the ear cups.

Final checklist before you put them back on

• You used 1 teaspoon (5 mL) liquid laundry detergent in 1 cup (250 mL) water.
• You cleaned with a lint-free cloth instead of soaking the cushions.
• You rubbed each cushion gently for about one minute.
• You wiped away detergent with a separate fresh-water cloth.
• You removed excess moisture with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
• You allowed at least a full day of flat drying.
• The cushions feel completely dry before reattachment.

For AirPods Max cushions, the safest cleaning method is also the simplest: controlled moisture, diluted liquid laundry detergent, gentle wiping, a fresh-water wipe, and patience while the cushions dry. If a stain survives that process but the cushion is clean and intact, accepting a small cosmetic mark is usually a better tradeoff than escalating to a chemical Apple specifically excludes from the cushions.