The most common support question we get is not "which SNR value?" but "how do I clean these things?". Short answer: lukewarm water and mild soap after every wear, then let them dry and put them in the case. The long answer is here, including everything you should not do.
How to clean membrane filter earplugs
All SCHALLWERK earplugs with a filter, that is Strong+, Music+, Sleep+, Soft+, Women+ and Kids+, are reusable. After wearing, rinse under lukewarm water, rub a drop of mild soap between your fingers if needed, gently knead the flanges, rinse thoroughly. Then let them air dry, ideally on a cloth, and only when completely dry put them back in the storage case. Moisture in a closed case is the most common cause of unpleasant smell.
What never to do
No boiling water, no dishwasher, no alcohol disinfectant spray, no hairdryer. Heat and alcohol make the soft flange material hard and brittle. Do not poke the filter with cotton buds or needles: the membrane inside the filter is the part that determines the attenuation, and it is thin. If earwax sits in the filter channel, soak in lukewarm soapy water and rinse gently, do not use tools.
How long do the plugs last?
There is no fixed number, because it depends on how often you wear them, skin oils and care. A plug worn every night ages faster than one used for three concerts a year. More reliable than a date are three signs for replacement: the flanges become hard, sticky or cracked; the plug no longer seals, you feel it give when you shake your head or it slips out; or the attenuation feels noticeably different from the start even though it is clean. Then the filter or the material is done and it is time for a new pair.
Store them properly
The case is not an accessory to lose, it is part of the hygiene. Plugs in a trouser pocket collect lint that settles in the filter channel. If you take the plugs out and in often, at a festival for example, attach them with Connect+ to a cord or your ear so they do not end up on the floor.
Two frequent questions
Can I share my plugs with someone? Better not. Earplugs sit in the ear canal; everyone should have their own pair.
Can children clean their plugs themselves? Yes, from primary school age under supervision. The rule "lukewarm, soap, rinse, dry, case" is learned in two minutes. More answers in the FAQ.
Leave a comment