If you’re a music lover who craves crystal audio quality, you’ve doubtless spent a lot of time researching the best speakers. While certain loyalists pooh-pooh the sound quality of wireless speakers, consumers have grown to adopt them. Now, the best Bluetooth speakers dominate the market because of their convenience and continued improvement in sound quality. However, the portable nature of Bluetooth speakers means that excess dust and debris can ruin the electronics and audio quality, so users must know how to clean Bluetooth speakers to ensure they last.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Many Bluetooth speakers can be disassembled, making it easier to conduct the cleaning process.
- Always check if your speaker is waterproof before rinsing or wiping with a damp cloth.
- If your speaker isn’t waterproof, clean it with a can of compressed air and a dry cloth or brush.
If you read this and want to educate yourself further, read our article explaining how to charge a speaker. And for amateur engineers, we have a fascinating report outlining how to make Bluetooth speakers at home.
Insider Tip
Always turn your Bluetooth speaker off when it’s not being used, as it helps save battery power.
How to Clean Bluetooth Speakers
Cleaning your speaker is crucial to maintaining good audio quality, as debris and dust can block the soundwaves, dampening the powerful sound. However, the cleaning process requires understanding what your speaker can handle. For example, some speakers can take water, while others will be damaged.
Also, if you have a bass speaker in desperate need of cleaning, you check out a similar article on how to clean a subwoofer. And for those with mobile speakers in their mind, we have a piece explaining where the iPhone speaker is located.
STEP 1 Read Your User Manual
Every speaker will have different limitations regarding how you can clean it. For example, some are designed as outdoor speakers, and others are fully waterproof, but many portable speakers must steer clear of liquid.
Always check your user manual for instructions for cleaning, as it will help you understand what cleaning methods you can use. Generally, avoiding contact with water is wise, but it can be fine for some speakers.
STEP 2 Examine the Speaker
First, check for where the dirtiest parts of the speaker are, and then look to see if the speaker is designed for disassembly. Many speakers have an outer mesh that can be removed, like a JBL Flip 4.
Warning
Make sure that your speaker is powered off and unplugged when cleaning.
STEP 3 Take Apart the Speaker (If Possible)
Remove any grill or mesh so that the entire speaker is exposed. You can read our guide on how to take apart Bluetooth speakers with no screws if needed.
STEP 4 Clean the Speakers
Use a can of compressed air to blow away any dirt from the speaker cones. Then use a soft cloth, like a dry microfiber cloth, to wipe away any loose particles. If you have a speaker that can withstand water, you can use a damp cloth with warm water to wipe the speakers down. If you have a smart speaker with a fabric component, a lint roller can help remove dust and other foreign objects without damaging the speaker fabric.
STEP 5 Clean the Speaker Grill
If your speaker came with a removable piece of the exoskeleton, you could use a small brush, such as a clean makeup brush or soft-bristled toothbrush, and soapy water to clean out any dirt.
STEP 6 Reassemble the Speaker
After letting the speaker air dry, reattach the grill. Now that the speakers clean, it’s time to test the sound quality.
STAT: According to a study, 88% of the wireless speakers in the United States are Bluetooth-enabled. (source)
