The convenience of putting your phone in your pocket comes with a trade-off of exposing its apertures to dust, debris and lint. Allowing the issue to fester will lead to distorted or faint sounds from your earpiece and bottom-firing speakers. Learn how to clean phone speaker holes from the outside without damaging your device or compounding the problem from the three best methods below.
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1. Using a Pricking Instrument
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Get your hands on a typical sewing needle, a toothpick or a thumbtack with a plastic top. Using sharp implements can be a recipe for disaster when you consider the risk to your android or iPhone's speakers or even injury from pricking yourself. Thus, be careful when following the steps we cover below. After all, the debris is not fused over the holes, so using force is unnecessary.
Ensure you clean the device under adequate light to help you see better. In addition, it will reduce the chances of clogging the holes further, hurting yourself or damaging the internal components adjacent to the apertures. Then, with clean hands, remove the case and dig out the gunk.
Approach the holes at an angle, so you are not pushing the debris further inside. Gently flick off the lint and clogged dust particles without applying pressure. Do not force it in if you feel an obstacle to the needle going inside a hole. The best way to apply this method is to dig out and scrape off the gunk lightly. Afterward, use a damp cloth, then a dry one, to finish the cleaning process.
2. Using a Brush
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The first step is to remove any phone case and clean your hands. Next, get a toothbrush you no longer use, especially with soft bristles. After all, you can damage the device by chipping off the area around the holes.
Whether you are cleaning an android phone or iPhone speakers, it is essential to turn the device off. With the soft brush, which should be clean before you begin, start removing the dirt and debris at an angle. Merely brushing over the speaker holes can push the gunk further inside and make it more difficult to clean.
Remember to gently brush instead of scrubbing since this can also push the debris deeper within the holes. To properly clean the device, ensure you gently shake it to remove dirt loosened by the brushing. Afterward, you can use a damp cloth to wipe away the gunk to avoid reclogging the small speaker holes.
Alternatively, a damp cotton swab can work well too. However, dampness does not mean dripping wet since water and electrical components should not mix. Finally, you can repeat the above steps for the headphone jack and charger port, finish with a clean, dry cloth, and leave the device to dry before turning it on.
3. Using Sticky Tac/Putty or Adhesive Tapes
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The ear speaker is often the most difficult to clean with the above methods. For starters, the holes are much smaller, so finding a needle or brush bristles that can produce reliable results can be tricky and time-consuming. Consequently, using putty or adhesive tapes can help make phone calls clearer, along with the android or iPhone speaker. Plus, we have a detailed guide on cleaning ear speakers.
With the sticky tack or putty, create a small ball with your fingers and squish it repeatedly to make it soft. After removing the phone cover, press the balled-up piece onto the holes and let it sit for a few seconds to allow the grime to stick. Next, gently peel off the sticky tac to ensure you do not leave any residues of it on the holes.
You will notice that the sticky tac comes out with hole-shaped protrusions with dirt. Twist it around so that you do not insert the gunk back into the hole and repeat it. Alternatively, you can squish the mass repeatedly to help you use the uncontaminated parts.
Similarly, sticky tapes can help you capture the dust and dirt stuck inside an android and iPhone speaker apertures. Again, you can start by wrapping a piece of the adhesive tape around your finger with the glue-containing side facing outward. Next, press the wrapped finger onto the holes and gently roll it across the apertures from end to end.
Ideally, the rolling part should help you clear out the dust clinging at the entrance of the android or iPhone speakers. Afterward, you can roll the sticky tape to form a narrow cone-like structure with the adhesive side facing outward. Use the makeshift tool like a needle and follow the steps covered under the first method. If audio continues to sound muffled, you can get reliable Bluetooth headphones or excellent wireless headsets for important calls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Clean Phone Speakers
1. How do you clean a dirty phone speaker?
You can use a pricking instrument, a soft brush or sticky tac to deal with blocked speakers. The methods for cleaning android or iPhone speakers we have outlined focus on removing gunk clogging the holes from the outside. Also, you can find audio clips that claim to remove things like water from speakers, but the jury is still out on their effectiveness.
2. Can compressed air get the gunk out of phone speakers?
A can of compressed air can be a valuable tool for blowing out stuck dirt and dust from an android or iPhone speaker. However, if you do not aim the powerful gusts well, you could potentially push the gunk deeper inside the holes. Thus, you may need a straw to help with your aim and a keen eye to ensure success.
3. How do you clean a muffled speakerphone when the holes are not clogged?
If the speaker apertures are not visibly clogged, you may need technical support to open the phone and clean the audio piece from the inside. In a worst-case scenario, the components may require replacement. Plus, it is best not to attempt cleaning it yourself, especially if you do not know your way around the opening and putting a phone back together.
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