How to Clean Your Headphone Jack Without Damaging Your Telephone

Dust and dirt in that tiny port could exist causing problems with your telephone'southward sound.

Cleaning the headphone jack on your phone may be literally the last thing on your list of chores, and understandably and then. But the reality is, your telephone spends a ton of time tucked away in your pocket or your handbag, where things like dirt, dust, and other untold debris can quickly collect. Since information technology's an open port, it'southward non protected at all, even if your phone is sporting a heavy-duty instance. Fortunately, information technology'due south pretty piece of cake to clean your headphone jack using tools you probably already have at home.

How do you know if your headphone jack is muddied? Near of the fourth dimension you lot can totally tell merely past looking at it. But a clogged headphone jack tin cause lots of sound issues, such as skipping, static, and dimming of sound. If y'all're experiencing any of these issues, or if you simply want to requite your whole telephone a thorough cleaning (it is 1 of the germiest things you own, after all!), keep reading for our iii dissimilar headphone jack cleaning methods. And for more phone cleaning tips, cheque out How Experts Say You Should Clean Your Phone to Stop Coronavirus Spread.

How to utilise compressed air to make clean your headphone jack.

Hand holding can of compressed air
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Compressed air in a tin can—the kind you lot apply to flush dust out of your keyboard—is easily the safest way to remove debris from your headphone jack. The intense pressure in the can blasts air out, removing build up and dust from even the tiniest of spaces. Compressed air is near often sold in estimator, electronics, and office supply stores. For more recommendations that'll make your life easier, check out The 17 All-time Cleaning Products for Keeping Your Domicile as Expert as New.

Step i: Remove any packaging from the can.

Some cans include a plastic tab to foreclose accidental discharge of air during transport.

Step ii: Aim.

Aim the nozzle straight at your headphone jack.

Footstep 3: Spray into the jack.

Press the push to blast dirt, dust and lint out of the jack.

How to apply a cotton bandy to clean your headphone jack.

Closeup of multicolored cotton swabs.
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The best affair almost this method is that it only requires a common household item: a cotton swab. One minor drawback is the small chance that cotton could go stuck in your headphone jack, leaving you with a bigger problem than you started with. Follow these steps advisedly to make clean your headphone jack without that happening.

Step 1: Cut the swab.

Using an extremely sharp scissors, carefully snip some cotton fiber off each side of the tip at a slight angle. The top should come up to a betoken, but over again, only very slightly. Too much cutting will result in the cotton becoming loose and possibly unraveled.

Step ii: Wet the swab.

Dampen your newly cut cotton swab e'er and so slightly with water or rubbing alcohol. It should not exist dripping wet, just slightly clammy so as non to ruin the metal inside the jack.

Step 3: Insert the swab into the jack.

Carefully insert the cotton swab into the jack and make a circular motion to clear away droppings all effectually the inside of the jack.

Step 4: Dry out the jack.

Remove the swab and repeat with a dry one to remove whatsoever backlog wet.

How to utilize a paper clip to make clean your headphone jack.

Straightened out paper clip
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An unfolded paper clip happens to exist the perfect size for this job. So if yours seems otherwise beyond repair, endeavour this method. Just be sure to use caution—the clip tin damage the metallic if you're besides rough. For more miraculous cleaning advice, check out 27 Amazing Cleaning Tips You'll Wish You Knew Sooner.

Pace 1: Unfold your paper clip.

Make certain that it's as straight as you can get information technology.

Pace 2: Wrap information technology with tape.

Wrap a piece of tape—pasty side out—effectually the tip of the paper clip.

Step 3: Advisedly clean out your jack.

Insert the clip into your headphone jack and gently move it in a circular movement to remove dirt from all sides of the interior.

Christin Perry

Christin Perry is a freelance writer covering health, lifestyle, and parenting. Read more