If I put custom IEMs away while they’re still damp, I risk blocked bores, weak sound, driver damage, and cable wear. The fix is simple: after each session, I follow a short routine - wipe, dry, check, coil, store.
Here’s the whole process in plain terms:
- Wipe the shells and cable contact points after use
- Dry them fully before they go in a case
- Check the tips, seals, and sound bores for wax or shape problems
- Coil the cable in loose loops, not tight wraps
- Store everything in a clean, dry case, with silica gel if needed
That matters even more in many parts of Australia, where heat and humidity can leave extra moisture behind. Even a small amount of trapped sweat or condensation can lead to corrosion, muffled audio, or pin damage over time.
A good rule I follow: if the IEMs don’t feel fully dry, they don’t go back in the case. It takes about 1 minute after use, and it can help cut down the most common storage mistakes.
Below, I’ll walk through that post-use routine in a clear order so it’s easy to repeat every time.
How to Store Custom IEMs After Each Use: The 5-Step Routine
Step 1: Wipe down and dry the IEMs before putting them away
Remove the IEMs safely and set them on a clean dry surface
Take the shells out gently and never pull on the cable. If you use the cable to remove them, you put strain on the connector and risk damaging the socket.
Once they’re out, set them on a clean microfibre cloth. It gives you a dry, dirt-free spot to work on before cleaning starts.
Clean the shells and cable contact points
Wipe the outer shells with a soft microfibre cloth or an alcohol wipe. Give extra attention to the area around the cable connectors, because that’s where sweat and skin oils often build up. Keep any liquid away from the sound bores and inner parts, since moisture can damage the drivers.
A quick wipe after each session helps stop salt and oils from drying onto the surface over time.
Let everything air-dry fully at room temperature
Leave the IEMs on the cloth and let them air-dry before storage. Never seal damp IEMs in a case. Trapped moisture can corrode the balanced armature drivers and lead to low output or distortion.
Pick a cool indoor spot away from direct sunlight, heaters, or a hot car. In Australian heat and humidity, make sure they’re fully dry before you put them in a case.
Once the shells are dry, check the tips and sound bores.
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IEM Storage Tips: Tangle Free
Step 2: Check ear tips and sound bores before storage
Once the IEMs are dry, give the seal surfaces and sound bores a quick check before putting them back in the case.
Check the shells, tips, and seals before storage
Wipe custom shells with a dry microfibre cloth. Wash removable silicone tips in warm soapy water, then dry them all the way before you put them back on. For foam tips, stick to a dry lint-free cloth only - keep moisture away from the nozzle and drivers.
It also helps to check that the tips still fit as they should and haven’t lost their shape. If a tip is torn, stiff, or bent out of shape, it won’t seal well. That can change both the sound and the fit.
Clear wax from the sound bores
Hold the nozzle facing down, then use the supplied cleaning loop to lift wax out with a light touch. Don’t push debris further inside. If the sound still seems muffled after cleaning, the blockage may be deeper and needs professional attention.
Once the bores are clean and dry, move on to cable coiling and case storage.
Step 3: Coil the cable and place the IEMs in a dry case
Once the shells and bores are dry, pack them in a way that keeps out dust and moisture and avoids extra pressure. The way you coil the cable - and where you store the IEMs - can make a big difference to how well they hold up between uses.
Use loose loops instead of tight wrapping
Don’t wrap the cable tightly around your hand or a device. Tight coils can put extra pressure on the connectors, pins and internal wiring. A better move is to let the cable rest in loose, natural loops, with no sharp bends or knots.
If you’re using a hard case, check that the cable isn’t caught in the lid before you shut it. It’s a small thing, but it helps cut down on pinching and wear over time.
Store them in a clean case with moisture control
After coiling the cable, place the IEMs in a dry case before closing it. A clean, dry hard case or padded pouch works well. It helps shield the shells from scratches, crushing and loose debris in your bag.
If you’ve used them during sweaty gigs or in humid conditions, add a silica gel packet and swap it out when it is spent. Store the case in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight and heat.
Common storage mistakes to avoid
These mistakes can undo the whole wipe, dry, check, coil, store routine.
Do not seal damp IEMs or leave them in heat
If you close damp IEMs inside a case, you can harm the drivers and filters, including balanced armature drivers. That can lead to low output, distortion, or total failure. Heat makes it worse. It traps moisture and speeds up damage.
Make sure your IEMs are fully dry before you shut the case.
Do not store them loose with other gear
Tossing your IEMs loose into a bag is asking for trouble. The shells can get scratched, and lint or dust can work its way into the sound bores. On top of that, the cable can snag on other items and put stress on the connectors.
Keep them dry, contained, and separate from loose gear.
Conclusion: The post-use routine to repeat every time
After each use, stick to the same routine: wipe, dry, check, coil, store.
It only takes a minute, but it goes a long way. Do it every time, and your custom IEMs will stay cleaner, drier, and better protected between sessions.
FAQs
How long should I let custom IEMs dry before storing them?
Let them dry fully before you put them away. If you're using an electronic dryer like the ACS Revivo2, the standard cycle is 8 hours.
If you've been sweating a lot or wearing them all day, give them 16 hours instead. Not using an electronic dryer? Then make sure they're fully air-dried before storing them in a protective hard case with silica gel.
When should I replace the silica gel in my IEM case?
Replace or refresh the silica gel packets once they change from orange to green. A green packet means the desiccant is fully saturated and can't absorb any more moisture.
To refresh them, place the packets in a microwave for 45 to 60 seconds until the colour shifts back to orange. If you keep refreshing them and they stay dark, it's time to retire them and use new ones.
What should I do if my IEMs still sound muffled after cleaning?
If your IEMs still sound muffled after you’ve cleaned the sound ducts with a wire pick, there’s a good chance moisture or leftover wax is still stuck deeper inside and affecting the balanced armature drivers.
Use the ACS Revivo2 Dryer and Sanitiser to help clear out moisture that’s settled in. If you’ve been using your IEMs for long stretches, or the weather’s been humid, let them run for longer than the standard 8-hour drying cycle.
If the problem still doesn’t go away, don’t open or alter the monitors. Get in touch with us and we’ll help with professional support.
