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No more replacing the flat nozzle filters - A Cleaning Procedure

post #1 of 15
10/6/08 at 3:34pm
Thread Starter 
I've discovered that cleaning those flat canalphone nozzle filters I refer to as "screens" will produce excellent effects if done correctly and carefully and is not dificult at all to do so.

*IMPORTANT NOTE - I'm not referring to an actual filter like those of the Etymotics or Altec Lansing iM-616/716. Those are not cleanable as far as I know. The filters I'm referring to are flat screen type filters that simply press onto the nozzle of canalphones such as the Head Direct RE2, Jays D-Jays, Q-Jays, and most large mouth nozzle canalphones.*

What you will need:

Cotton swabs
Witch Hazel Extract

Douse one end of a cotton swab with Witch Hazel and, holding the canalphone so that the nozzle points down to the ground, dab the nozzle screen a few times...maybe doing a side to side scrubbing motion once or twice. Then take the dry end of the cotton swab and soak up all the moisture from the nozzle screen, always being careful not to press too hard against the screen.

After this, to be safe, hang the phones up somewhere with the nozzle always facing down and allow to air dry for at least 30 minutes.

After this, you should have clean screens. The Witch Hazel Extract will melt away the ear wax or dirt from the screen. It's also good to clean the ear canals with.
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post #2 of 15
11/20/08 at 8:23am
Can you confirm please how often you find you are changing the filters on your Q-Jays using this technique?

I am really interested in the Q-Jays but concerned by the cost of filter replacement.
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post #3 of 15
11/20/08 at 9:25am
Well this would be interesting to know more about. Is it easy to remove the filters from the Q-Jays? What more exactly is "Witch Hazel Extract"? It is not something I know from our stores here in Sweden. What kind of alternative...."extract" should I be looking for?
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post #4 of 15
11/20/08 at 9:27am
Not sure if there is anything in this article that may help you track down witch hazel in your country

Witch-hazel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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post #5 of 15
11/20/08 at 10:06am
hmm
"....ornamental plants..."
"...extract...used medicinally..."
"....active ingredient in many hemorrhoid medications..."

...wait...what?
No that can't be what I'm looking for :P
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post #6 of 15
11/20/08 at 10:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by abrizz View Post
hmm
"....ornamental plants..."
"...extract...used medicinally..."
"....active ingredient in many hemorrhoid medications..."

...wait...what?
No that can't be what I'm looking for :P
Sorry not an ideal link but I thought maybe you might be able to find out what the correct name is in your language if you search for things like the latin name.

I think we have some witch hazel at home. Maybe I should set myslef up as chief importer to the Nordic countries
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post #7 of 15
11/20/08 at 10:49am
Incidentally I am trying to register on the Jays official forums to post a link to this thread but it will not let me register. I think this tip could be of use to a lot of people especially if the filters last so much longer as a result. This will definitely sway me on buying a pair if it does.
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post #8 of 15
11/20/08 at 11:12am
What is the point of the extract? Is it a cleaner product? A kind of soap?
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post #9 of 15
11/20/08 at 12:33pm
Witch hazel is an extract from a plant that is proven to be effective to remove wax and dirt. I am just curious how much longer a filter will last cleaning them in this manner as I am unsure as to the effect witch hazel has on the filter adhesive?
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post #10 of 15
11/20/08 at 8:03pm
I am just wondering if there are any other things that would do the job just as well without damaging the filters.

Keen to get an answer to this before I make a commitment to buy.
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post #11 of 15
11/24/08 at 3:53pm
I am using an ear cleaning spray to clean the filters : I first remove the filters with a noddle, then put some cleaning liquid from the spray in a recipient and leave the filters in the liquid for some time (usually a night, but I guess a shorter time would work as well). The day after, the filters may be reused.

I have to change filters every 2 or 3 weeks, so this method was for me the only economically viable way to own jays earphones. I haven't noticed any degradation in the sound since I use this method (about 1 year).

Hope this helps,

Bruno
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post #12 of 15
11/24/08 at 7:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dumant View Post
I am using an ear cleaning spray to clean the filters : I first remove the filters with a noddle, then put some cleaning liquid from the spray in a recipient and leave the filters in the liquid for some time (usually a night, but I guess a shorter time would work as well). The day after, the filters may be reused.

I have to change filters every 2 or 3 weeks, so this method was for me the only economically viable way to own jays earphones. I haven't noticed any degradation in the sound since I use this method (about 1 year).

Hope this helps,

Bruno
Sorry Bruno so to be clear then before using this you needed to change every fews weeks and now a set of filters has lasted about a year?

All of this knowledge could be for nothing though as I cannot find a pair in the UK within my budget, everyone is out of stock
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post #13 of 15
11/25/08 at 8:39am
Yes, absolutely (and please read needle instead of noodle...)

Bruno
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post #14 of 15
11/25/08 at 9:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dumant View Post
Yes, absolutely (and please read needle instead of noodle...)

Bruno
Excellent..now all I have to do is find someone in the UK who has stock at a reasonable price
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post #15 of 15
12/11/08 at 4:00pm
Sounds interesting, but I'm still confused about where I would get this stuff. Witch hazel extract? Ear cleaning spray? Should I consult my local witch doctor or what? I'd like to try this since I'm really tired of replacing my Q-Jay filters since they don't clog evenly. Also for the witch hazel technique, do you think would it be easier/safer/more effective to remove the filters?
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