AirPods in the Washing Machine or Water? What to Do Now

If your AirPods got wet, take them out, wipe them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, and let them dry for at least two hours before you use them or put them back in the case. Don’t use heat, compressed air or rice.

The wash cycle finished, and there they were in your pocket. Or one slipped into the pool, the sink, the toilet. Take a breath: what you do in the next few hours matters more than what already happened.

Dry time at least 2 hoursDon't heat, compressed air, riceThen test the sound

What should you do right now?

Follow these in order. They match Apple’s guidance for wet AirPods.

1. Get them out and separate everything. Take the earbuds out of the case and leave the case lid open.
2. Wipe them dry. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth on the earbuds and the case.
3. Let them air-dry for at least two hours. Don’t put them in your ears or back in the case before then.
4. Keep the case off the charger. Wait until it’s fully dry before you plug it in or put it on a pad.
5. Test the sound. Play something you know well. If it’s muffled, clear the speakers with the step below.

• No heat. Apple says not to use heat or compressed air to dry AirPods.
• No rice. Apple warns against rice for iPhone because small particles can get inside, and AirPods have even smaller openings. More in why rice doesn’t help.
• No charging while wet. Give the case the same drying time.

Will AirPods work after the washing machine?

Sometimes, but no model is designed for it. Apple says plainly: “Don’t put AirPods in the washing machine or dryer.”

A wash cycle combines a long soak, spinning, heat and detergent. Apple also lists detergent and soap among the things that can affect the water seals. Newer models stand a better chance, but none is rated for a wash.

So dry them fully, test them, and watch for the warning signs below over the next day or two.

How water resistant are your AirPods?

Water resistant isn’t waterproof. Apple’s ratings, by model:

IP57 means up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. Original AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) aren’t on Apple’s list, so treat them as not water resistant.

Even the best rating is for fresh water in lab conditions. Apple says AirPods aren’t designed for swimming or showering, and resistance can wear down over time.

Can sound clear water out of AirPods?

It can help once they’re dry on the outside. Each earbud has a small speaker behind a mesh, and a low tone can push droplets out of that mesh, just like a phone speaker.

Keep them out of your ears, set the volume to about half, and play a short tone. Our Water Eject web tool has an AirPods setting that does this for you.

It won’t dry the inside, so the two-hour wait still comes first. For phones, the same idea is explained in does water eject actually work?

When should you contact Apple?

Give them a full day to dry, then contact Apple Support if any of these persist:

• One earbud is much quieter, crackles or buzzes.
• The case won’t charge, or charges unevenly.
• The battery drains much faster than before.
• Noise cancellation or the microphone stops working properly.

Frequently asked questions