There’s nothing more annoying than listening to music, a podcast or taking a call through headphones, only to discover the line is crackling or breaking. Before you start blaming your headphones and purchasing a new pair, you should take a look at the jack in your device. Even just a little dirt can interfere with your headphone’s connection.

Phones are particularly adept at gathering dirt, and build-up in headphone and charging ports is common. When we carry our phones in our pockets or bags, dust, dirt and lint can accumulate. While this debris is rarely a serious issue for your device, it can be awkward to try and clean in these spaces!

There are a few different ways that you can clean your headphone jack, and you may wish to use a combination of the techniques mentioned here.

One thing you should look to avoid is any sharp objects, as these can damage the connection between your headphones and the phone.

The Cotton Swab Method

One of the most common methods for cleaning a headphone jack is by using a cotton swab. This method should be your go-to, as it simply uses a common household item and a splash of water.

The most important step here is cutting down your cotton swab, as the majority will be too big to fit inside a headphone jack comfortably. You must avoid any of the cotton coming loose and getting stuck in the jack, as that can compound the problem. However, follow these instructions, and this is an excellent place to start:

1. Get a cotton swab and reduce its size, so the cotton tip is similar to the width of the plastic handle. You should use scissors for this and ensure that there are no loose ends.
2. Smooth the cotton end with a touch of water. Note that the cotton swab should not be too wet, as this could cause your phone damage.
3. Insert the cotton swab into the jack and move in a circular motion to remove any debris.
4. Follow-up with a dry cotton swab if possible to remove any excess moisture.

The Paper Clip Alternative

If you don’t have a cotton swab available, an alternative is to use an unfolded paper clip. However, to protect the jack from sharp objects, you should cover the end with a household tape, such as Sellotape.

The Compressed Air Method

Canned compressed air is a popular computer cleaner, as it can clear debris from delicate hardware without causing any damage. If you can get your hands on this – usually from an electronics or computer store – then it can be an effective way of removing loose debris from your headphone jack.

If you get a compressed air can, these are simple enough to use. Simply point the nozzle directly at your headphone jack and press the button. It should only need a couple of short, sharp bursts to loosen and remove debris.

Blowing Into Your Headphone Jack

Compressed air is popular because it doesn’t contain anything that could damage the electronics. It probably goes without saying, but simply blowing into your device is not a real alternative, especially if it’s sufficiently clogged.

The Alcohol Method

In most cases, the above methods are enough to clean your headphone jack. However, if it’s sufficiently clogged, it may need a slightly deeper clean. Rubbing alcohol can be used if you have any dirt stuck into your headphone jack.

To use alcohol, simply replace the water in the cotton swab method above with rubbing alcohol. Again, you shouldn’t use too much, and make sure to dry your jack afterwards, but the alcohol agent can help to remove any stubborn dirt.

With these tips, you’ll be enjoying your music in perfect clarity in no time! Remember, all our second-hand phones are surgically cleaned before sale, ensuring you get a fantastic, trustworthy used device at a great price!

If you want to learn more, check out how to clean and disinfect your phone.