How to Clean the Velour Ear Pads of the AKG K702

The velour ear pads of the AKG K702 can accumulate surface dirt and odors from sweat, oils, etc., after prolonged use. Replacing them is the quickest way to restore cleanliness, but regular replacements can become costly. For those looking to reduce costs, here’s a cleaning method you can try.

First, let’s begin by removing the ear pads.
For the AKG K702, you can detach the ear pads by rotating them.

For more details on how to remove the ear pads, refer to this article:
⇒ [How to Remove Headphone Ear Pads]

Once removed, you’ll see the ear pads and the inner polyurethane foam.

＜ Ear pads and polyurethane foam ＞

Spraying alcohol disinfectant or deodorizing spray on these can help reduce odors to some extent. However, after trying various methods such as soaking in alcohol or applying deodorizer spray thoroughly, I found that the odors were never completely eliminated, and there was always some lingering smell, which left me unsatisfied with the results.
So, I concluded that washing them thoroughly was the best solution. Let’s proceed with the ‘full wash’.

Let’s proceed with the ‘full wash’.
The ear pads, which have noticeable surface dirt and an unpleasant oily smell, will be cleaned.

Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water, and begin washing.

＜ Fill the basin with lukewarm water ＞

Add a few drops of laundry detergent (preferably for delicate clothes) to the water.
Laundry detergent (liquid) is the most effective for removing oily smells. I have tried soap and dishwashing detergent in the past, but the smell sometimes lingered, and I was not satisfied with the results. I also recommend using a detergent with a fragrance you like.

＜ Add laundry detergent ＞

Gently rub the surface of the pad with your fingers to remove the dirt.
For stubborn surface dirt, using a toothbrush with a light touch can also be effective.

＜ This time, I will use a feather-light touch with a toothbrush ＞

If you scrub the velour surface too hard, it can become frayed and look bad, so gently rubbing it is enough to remove the dirt.
The inner velour is made of polyurethane foam, so gently knead it to release the dirt from the inside, washing the entire surface evenly in circular motions.

After that, rinse it several times.
About 2-3 rinses should be enough to remove the detergent, so rinse until the water runs clear, adjusting as necessary.
During rinsing, just like when washing, lightly scrub the surface and gently massage the polyurethane part.

＜ Rinsing ＞

Finally, gently pat the pad on a dry towel to remove excess water.

＜ Gently remove excess water with a towel ＞

Since the polyurethane foam has absorbed enough water, gently press it to release the water. Avoid pressing too hard, as excessive force can distort the shape. Always apply light pressure.

Once you’ve dried it sufficiently with the towel, leave it to dry in a place away from direct sunlight.

＜ Drying ＞

It takes a considerable amount of time for the urethane inside to dry completely.
If natural drying alone is insufficient, using a bathroom dryer or directing a hairdryer from a distance can help ensure thorough drying. In this case, natural drying wasn’t enough, so I used a bathroom dryer to finish the drying process.

By keeping it clean both in appearance and odor, you can continue using it for a long time. I hope this guide has been helpful.