A little care keeps your earbuds, headphones and smartwatch working well for longer and helps you use their batteries safely. These are general tips. Care steps differ by model, so always follow your product's manual or the brand's app.
Earbuds
- Clean the ear tips and speaker mesh regularly with a dry, soft brush or lint-free cloth. Never push sharp objects into the mesh or mic openings.
- If your manual allows it, remove silicone ear tips to clean them, and let them dry fully before refitting.
- Keep the charging contacts on the earbuds and inside the case clean and dry.
- Wipe off sweat after workouts, and let the earbuds dry before putting them back in the case.
See our step-by-step guide to cleaning earbuds and the case safely.
Headphones
- Wipe the ear cushions and headband with a dry or slightly damp cloth; do not soak them or use strong cleaners.
- Fold or collapse headphones only in the way they are designed to, without twisting the hinges.
- Store them in a pouch or case, away from direct sunlight and heat, which can harden or crack cushions over time.
Smartwatches
- Clean the sensor area on the back and the charging contacts regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- After sweaty workouts, or after water exposure if your watch is rated for it, rinse or wipe it as the manual advises and dry it fully before charging.
- Wear the strap snug but comfortable and keep it clean. Take the watch off if your skin becomes red or irritated.
- Keep metal objects away from magnetic chargers and charging pins.
More tips: caring for your smartwatch.
Lithium battery safety
Earbuds, charging cases, headphones and smartwatches use rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. They are safe in normal use, but damage or misuse can cause overheating or fire.
- Avoid heat: do not leave devices in a parked car in the sun or near stoves, heaters or other heat sources, and avoid charging in very hot places.
- Do not puncture or crush: never pierce, bend, crush or open a battery or charging case, and do not try to replace a built-in battery yourself.
- Watch for swelling: if a device or case bulges, gets unusually hot, smells strange, hisses or leaks, stop using and charging it at once. Keep it away from anything flammable, do not press on it, and contact us or the brand's authorised service centre.
- Use suitable chargers: use the supplied cable or a good-quality replacement and the type of adapter the manual recommends. Avoid damaged cables and cheap, unbranded chargers; adapters sold in India should carry the BIS Standard Mark with an R- registration number.
- Charge safely: charge on a hard surface, not on a bed, sofa or pillow, keep devices dry while charging, and unplug once charging is complete.
- Travel: follow your airline's rules for devices with lithium batteries.
Water resistance: know the limits
- Ratings such as IPX4, IPX5, IP54, IP55, IP67, IP68 and 5 ATM are measured in lab conditions, usually with fresh water. Water resistant does not mean waterproof.
- Splash and sweat ratings such as IPX4 are not for swimming or showering. Even swim-rated watches should not be used in hot showers, saunas or steam rooms, or for diving, unless the brand says so.
- Seawater, chlorine, soap, perfume, sunscreen and heat can weaken seals, and water resistance can reduce over time or after a drop.
- Charging cases often have a lower rating than the earbuds, or none. Dry earbuds and watches fully before charging.
- Many warranties do not cover liquid damage. Check any warranty terms in the product description, or message us before buying to confirm.
Learn what each rating means in water resistance ratings explained.
Storage
- If you will not use a device for a few weeks or more, store it about half charged in a cool, dry place and top it up every few months.
- Avoid leaving devices fully drained for long periods, as a deeply discharged battery may not recover.
For everyday battery tips, read how to make your earbuds' battery last longer.
Disposal as e-waste
Do not throw old earbuds, headphones, smartwatches or batteries in household waste, and never burn them. In India, electronic waste is covered by the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: hand old devices to an authorised e-waste collection centre or recycler, or use a brand take-back programme where available. Before disposal, remove the device from your phone and accounts and reset it.
If a product develops a fault, see our warranty page.