An old cotton t-shirt also works well (cut it into usable pieces).
Avoid paper towels, since these leave small unwanted fibers or particles on surfaces.
When wiping away dust, the dry cloth alone should suffice.
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But for anything grimier, use both.
Put the cleaner on the cloth first and then use the fabric to wipe the surface.
Add cleaner to the cloth as needed.
Start with one side of the speaker and gently clean the surface with the wet cloth.
Wipe with the direction of the grain, whether the cabinets exterior is real wood or wood veneer.
This will preserve the appearance over time.
When you finish the one side, wipe off any remaining residue.
If you use your own soap mixture, wipe surfaces again with plain water.
Then, completely dry the side with the dry cloth.
Don’t allow any excess liquids to soak into the wood, veneer, plywood, or MDF.
This can warp and damage the cabinet.
Continue working on each side of the speaker cabinet, including the top and bottom.
Be mindful of seams or cracks, as these places can collect liquid and residues.
Q-tip cotton swabs are generally safe and useful for small spaces or hard to reach areas on equipment.
When you’re done cleaning, apply a protective coating of oil or varnish.
If so, use a separate clean cloth and follow the products instructions.
Grill material is often a delicate fabric, similar to stockings and pantyhose.
Some speakers have metal grills that may be perforated in a waffle, checkerboard, or dot design.
Fabric grills can be attached to frames, which typically pop off with a gentle tug.
Consult the product manual to find the best way to clean the grills.
Once the top has released, follow down and do the same with the bottom corners.
It’s easy to bend or warp plastic grills.
This will double-check that the vacuum (especially a powerful vacuum) doesn’t pull and stretch the fabric.
Then, scrub the dirt using circular motions and work gently as you go.
Rinse the area with a cloth and plain water, then let it dry.
Then, rinse it off with water and dry it completely with a soft cotton towel.
Once the grill has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, place it back on the speaker.
Dont forget to replace any screws.
Sometimes grills arent designed to be safely and efficiently removed.
If youre careful, you’re able to use a vacuum with a hose attachment.
If you should probably wipe grill surfaces with a wet cloth, use liquid sparingly, and dry thoroughly.
It doesnt take much force to punch a hole through a paper cone.
Good brushes include makeup brushes, fingerprint brushes, paintbrushes, and camera lens cleaningbrushes.
Hold the can of air upright and several inches away from the side as you spray.
Blow dust away from the cone, not into it.
Sometimes it’s safer to skip brushing the tweeters and instead spray the tweeters with canned air.
Dont use liquids when cleaning speaker cones, this can lead to unintentional absorption or damage.
In situations with deeply stained or soiled cones, hit up the manufacturer for cleaning instructions.
Use a vacuum with a narrow hose attachment to clean the connections and seams.
Dont use compressed air, as it could force dust into the speaker hardware.
Although rubbing alcohol can work, its known to leave some residue as it evaporates.
Never use water or any water-based cleaning solutions with speaker terminals.
Completely dry the terminals, and then reconnect the cables.
Knowing the exterior will help you narrow down the best punch in of cleaning and finishing solutions to use.
The key in of wood matters if a cleaner or oil is for a particular material.
Plywood and MDF react to liquids differently (more absorbent) than real wood.
The manufacturer may suggest solutions or sprays that wont negatively affect materials.
There are also oil and varnish blends that offer the best of both options.
FAQ
First, power off your iPhone.
Use a cotton swab and a small amount of water to gently rub the speaker and remove dirt.
Let your phone dry completely before you turn it back on.
Then, use a clean cloth and a very small amount of water and lightly clean the speaker.
Wait a few minutes for the speaker to dry completely, and then turn on your setup.
