iPhone 7 how to fully clean earpiece?

[smacrumon]

I love my new iPhone 7 Plus! I've kept it clean and spotless since day one.
View attachment 667546

However there is one problem! There is this gross buildup of white stuff in the earpiece and it looks awful!

View attachment 667548

I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of to clean it. I've read every forum post and tried all their suggestions as well. NOTHING has worked and I really don't want to return the phone or try to get a replacement which will likely not work as Apple will say it's cosmetic damage and likely can't be replaced under warranty.

I've tried spraying, wiping, brushing, vacuuming, q-tipping, tooth picking, blowing, YOU NAME IT! Nothing seems to get it clean again

Please someone help me get my earpiece back to its original black glory!

Maybe light microfibre cloth.

 

[QueenTyrone]

The sticky tacky putty stuff should work OR if you live near an apple store you do get 1 free cleaning a year

 

[Fruit Cake]

You should try some of uncle choppers home remedy

 

[Pez555]

anti-bacterial wipe should do it.

 

[alleggerita]

The sticky tacky putty stuff should work OR if you live near an apple store you do get 1 free cleaning a year

Yeah maybe some Blu Tac or stuff like that

 

[Alexrat1996]

Try whoosh maybe that can work not sure if the liquid will damage that are its your risk to try and report back
[doublepost=1479688651][/doublepost]

I love my new iPhone 7 Plus! I've kept it clean and spotless since day one.
View attachment 667546

However there is one problem! There is this gross buildup of white stuff in the earpiece and it looks awful!

View attachment 667548

I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of to clean it. I've read every forum post and tried all their suggestions as well. NOTHING has worked and I really don't want to return the phone or try to get a replacement which will likely not work as Apple will say it's cosmetic damage and likely can't be replaced under warranty.

I've tried spraying, wiping, brushing, vacuuming, q-tipping, tooth picking, blowing, YOU NAME IT! Nothing seems to get it clean again

Please someone help me get my earpiece back to its original black glory!

Mines worse than house this is what the apple did when they cleaned it

 

[golfnut1982]

Try scotch tape.

 

[Mike5254]

The sticky tacky putty stuff should work OR if you live near an apple store you do get 1 free cleaning a year

I didn't know they clean phones for free. Thanks for the info.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Looks like debris left in the speaker hole from excessive cleaning.

 

[HEK]

Looks like debris left in the speaker hole from excessive cleaning.

The little wire brush they used on the end of the dremel drill, most likely took the black paint off the grill.

 

[k9gardner]

The response here are way off. A soft brush? A microfiber cloth? A vacuum? You don't take care of your phone? It doesn't matter? None of this is helpful; I'm sure anyone coming on line looking for a solution has already tried these things. The OP listed all the things he's tried, to no avail. Why repeat those same things as suggestions, or minimize the need to clean it?

The fact is, the material stuck in there, unfortunately, very likely IS from your body; specifically, your ears. It's not "lint" that will magically float away if you brush it. It is waxy oily dust and dirt that is pushed into the spaces between the lines of the mesh, similar to an air conditioner filter. You can't get that stuff out by talking nice to it. If you don't think we've tried those obvious suggestions... Well, let's just say we have! It's looking to me like a disassemble job, which is extremely annoying. But for some of us, the iPhone from the get-go is difficult enough to hear, and with this, I can barely hear the person talking to me with the volume all the way up. So it IS important, and it DOES need to be done. Maybe there's another site with solutions. Gotta keep looking!

 

[Hater]

Isopropyl and a Qtip? Who knows, who cares

 

[Mrbobb]

Should had just used a vacuum to begin with and nothing to "push" the dirt further in, now they are stuck behind the grill. Hopefully Apple has the magic.

 

[internetrando]

Isopropyl and a Q-Tip.

That has solved all of my dirt issues.

 

[cynics]

I set up a vacuum to suck the stuff out as I use a very soft bristled brush (toothbrush) to clean it. Just gently move the dust around and the vacuum will do the rest.

 

[perezr10]

I use poster putty. It works like a charm.

You roll a little ball of it about the size of a dime. Then you press it real hard so it fills the crack. After you pull it back it carries the lint out with it. Rinse, repeat.

Your welcome.

 

[C DM]

I use poster putty. It works like a charm.

You roll a little ball of it about the size of a dime. Then you press it real hard so it fills the crack. After you pull it back it carries the lint out with it. Rinse, repeat.

Your welcome.

Until some of it ends up getting stuck in there somewhere...

 

[44267547]

I use poster putty. It works like a charm.

You roll a little ball of it about the size of a dime. Then you press it real hard so it fills the crack. After you pull it back it carries the lint out with it. Rinse, repeat.

Your welcome.

Sounds like a good method. However, The only concern I would have is if you push too hard and some of the putty separates and lodges in the crevices, that could be problematic as well.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I would experiment before pushing the putty in to hard so none gets trapped behind the screen.

 

[perezr10]

Sounds like a good method. However, The only concern I would have is if you push too hard and some of the putty separates and lodges in the crevices, that could be problematic as well.

I can see why you might have this concern. Although, this is not a problem. I've been using this method for years and it never breaks loose.

Poster putty has an incredibly strong bond to itself. When you by a new package from the store and try to rip off a small part you'll be surprised how much physical strength it takes to get it to separate a smaller piece from the whole. And yet, it's remarkably sticky to adhere to the wall. It's the perfect tool to clean out earpieces because it'll squeeze through the mesh but won't ever break off. And yet all manner of lint sticks to it.

BTW, I also use it to clean out my AirPods cases. Works great for that too.

 

[Steve686]

Anyone ever try those rubbery sticky gel pieces that come in the mail and are used to stick a membership card to a piece of paper? They are pretty sticky and malleable but don’t leave any chemical or residue behind.

 

[44267547]

Anyone ever try those rubbery sticky gel pieces that come in the mail and are used to stick a membership card to a piece of paper? They are pretty sticky and malleable but don’t leave any chemical or residue behind.

I Know what you’re referring to, the adhesive that would come back on a generic credit card that is attached to a piece of paper. That likely would work and not leave behind any remnants inside the earpiece. The only problem is, you would have to be able to actually find some or have it available when you actually _need_ it, and I’m guessing most wouldn't think of your idea, but its a good suggestion.

 

[bushman4]

Best bet is to take it to an Apple store
Let Them do it!! If they ruin the phone they’re responsible. If you clean the speaker and damage it you’re in trouble

Most likely Apple will clean it as a courtesy no charge

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I fire up the compressor in the garage and hit it with a blow gun that has a regulated tip.. lol

 

[44267547]

Best bet is to take it to an Apple store
Let Them do it!! If they ruin the phone they’re responsible. If you clean the speaker and damage it you’re in trouble

Most likely Apple will clean it as a courtesy no charge

From my understanding, Apple does not provide that service of cleaning the earpiece area. Now, rather they use their own methods of doing something for the customer that’s not a regulated service, that’s different. But I’m sure that’s dependent on the Apple Store.