[the rev]

I just got some HD580's in the mail and they sound amazing and are mint.

but the pads are way dirty, almost like a thin layer of dirt on them. i pulled them off easy, but how should i wash them?


can i throw them i a load of delicates [undies

] with regular clothes washing soap? Will this affect the plastic at all? And to dry them, just air dry them right?


Thanks!

 

[Zorander]

Immerse them in detergent water and let them soak for some time (10-15 minutes is fine for me). That will clean up the surface dirt as well as whatever has seeped into the pads (e.g. skin oil from previous users). Leave them to dry in air.

 

[the rev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif Immerse them in detergent water and let them soak for some time (10-15 minutes is fine for me). That will clean up the surface dirt as well as whatever has seeped into the pads (e.g. skin oil from previous users). Leave them to dry in air.

Awesome, I saw you from post's way old.



Why not throw them in the washing machine? I mean if its on delicate, is that alright? Or are they prone to tearing/ tearing from the plastic.

Seriously, its so gross, like a thin layer of brown oil/skin. ick. thanks again for your help!

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the rev /img/forum/go_quote.gif Awesome, I saw you from post's way old. Why not throw them in the washing machine? I mean if its on delicate, is that alright? Or are they prone to tearing/ tearing from the plastic. Seriously, its so gross, like a thin layer of brown oil/skin. ick. thanks again for your help!

I trust my own hands more than a machine on automatic setting (no matter how gentle it is supposed to be). Plus I usually massage the pads with my fingers for that extra cleaning; machines can't do that.

 

[the rev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif I trust my own hands more than a machine on automatic setting (no matter how gentle it is supposed to be). Plus I usually massage the pads with my fingers for that extra cleaning; machines can't do that.

god you're right so much dirt came out its disgusting. i massaged them and it was so gross. ick.

air dry eh? will a blow dryer warp the pads? anyone know?

 

[milkweg]

And this is the reason I will *never* buy used headphones. Who knows what contagion the previous owner had?

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkweg /img/forum/go_quote.gif And this is the reason I will *never* buy used headphones. Who knows what contagion the previous owner had?

Hence the reason for thoroughly cleaning them before using. In almost all, if not most, cases, this will achieve a more-than-adequate hygiene level.

Well, it's personal call whether to clean them or not, and whether to buy new or used anyway.

Cheers!

 

[milkweg]

Well, I bet if you looked at the ear pads under a microscope even after cleaning you would still want new pads. I watched a documentary once on germs passed around from things we touch every day and it was not a pretty sight. Even the door handle inside a taxi cab contains thousands of germs on it.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkweg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I bet if you looked at the ear pads under a microscope even after cleaning you would still want new pads. I watched a documentary once on germs passed around from things we touch every day and it was not a pretty sight. Even the door handle inside a taxi cab contains thousands of germs on it.

The air we breathe in contains germs too. That's where our immune system comes in. We do not live in a sterile world and wearing used (and cleaned) headphones is perfectly normal. Our immune system will do its usual job and we continue to enjoy our tunes.

Cheers!

 

[milkweg]

There is a reason they say to wash your hands thoroughly many times a day. Especially if you are visiting a hospital. People die every day from germ infections in hospitals. My mum almost died from a staff infection she got in hospital before the cancer finally took her. But I am not completely paranoid about it because I still use paper money. I would rather not though.

 

[Maxvla]

Not to get too off topic, but it's actually bad for you to live in a sterile environment. Over time this will weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to infections. Washing your hands and such is good of course, but you really shouldn't go to the extremes some people do like cleaning off door handles religiously or only handling things with new paper towels for example.

 

[donunus]

Zorander,
after soaking them in detergent water you let them dry without rinsing with plain water?

 

[Maxvla]

Rinsing would be implied I should think.

 

[donunus]

thats what I think too but this is headfi after all, there might be something mystical about leaving the soapy water to dry

 

[Zorander]

I rinse the pads with just water, after the detergent wash, of course. In fact, I rinse them multiple times until I am satisfied there is hardly any trace of soap left.