Easy IEM Maintenance: DCA’s Essential Care Routine
- Miles
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Simple habits to keep your in ear monitors clean, consistent, and gig-ready.
When it comes to in ear monitors (IEMs), most issues we see at DCA are preventable. Like with most instruments, say changing guitar strings or drum heads for example, regular maintenance isn’t complicated but the difference it makes in reliability, sound quality, and long-term performance is huge. With IEMs, it's exactly the same. Whether it's a build-up of wax, moisture damage or intermittent cables, they’re not necessarily signs your IEMs are faulty but could be signs your ears need a bit more regular maintenance or proper care.
So rather than overwhelming you with routines and schedules, to help you look after this vital piece of gear here’s what we actually recommend, what we do ourselves, and what we suggest to artists we work with too. This isn’t about being obsessive, just about avoiding the small problems that can become big ones! Let's get into it...
After Every Show: Custom Care Non - Negotiables.
For all In Ear Monitor users, this is the minimum we recommend especially if you’re gigging or working with customs regularly, so follow these steps.
1. Wipe Them Down After Use
Use alcohol wipes or a clean microfibre cloth to remove sweat, oils, grime, and bacteria from the outer shells (avoid getting any liquids near the sound outlets or drivers).
2. Clean the Sound outlets
Use the cleaning tool that came with your IEMs — gently remove any wax using the loop to tease out any wax that has built up in the outlet or tube. Always pull it towards you, then carefully brush away any debris. Be careful you don’t push anything further into the IEM or wax grill.
For regular users (or those who know they're a little waxy), we recommend stepping up to a purpose-built IEM vac and giving your IEMs a quick clean every few days.
Finally, Dry Them Properly
Electronics and moisture don't mix. Let them air dry with the tips removed. If you’re touring or sweating a lot on stage, consider a compact IEM dryer — it’ll make a huge difference to long-term reliability. ACS Custom users luckily get a free ACS Revivo2 Dryer with their customs, so use it! For band or touring applications something like the FiR Audio IEM Dryer Pro is a great bit of kit to keep in your rack!
4. Store Them Right
Wrap your cables loosely — never overly tightly coiled to put undue pressure on connectors.
Don't trap the cable in the lid if you have a 'Peli' Style clip case.
Always store in a hard case where you can, this will keep them safest long term.
Drop in a silica gel pack if you’ve been sweating heavily.
Weekly or Post-Tour Clean: Best Practice for your IEMs
So sometimes, in the same way you periodically check all your other gear, don't neglect your IEMs. Maintenance doesn’t need to be a ritual, but setting some time aside to do these steps as when you’ve had a busy week of rehearsals or shows will keep your In Ear Monitors and Ears happy!
Run the IEM vac
This is crucial, especially if you’ve had back-to-back gigs. This will get any pesky unseen wax out you can't get to with you case cleaning tool.
Two tools we trust and regularly use ourselves are:
64 Audio IEM Vac Pro – compact & wireless, a grab and go solution we love.
FiR Audio IEM Vac – road-ready with strong suction for a static workstation setup.
Using Bellos Audio X Series? Clean Your In Air Tips!
If you've got removable tips, you can use warm soapy water or diluted a 50/50 alcohol mix to sanitise and clean both sides. Leave them to dry fully before use.
Recharge or replace your dryer packs
Silica wears out so keep it fresh! Refreshed packs will mean that moisture gets drawn out of the Balanced Armatures in your IEMs.
Our Final thoughts
We know all our client's really care for their IEMs and they are usually an essential piece of gear and we'd never suggest otherwise. Adding these simple steps to your IEM Maintenance doesn't have to be a chore, just a simple habit to get into. The better you look after your ears and your gear, the more you’ll get out of them night after night.
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!
Having problems and need a hand?
Have you followed the steps in this blog and still feel there's an issue with your Customs? At DCA we are launching the UK's first independent diagnostic IEM Servicing, so we can take a look for you and see what might be the trouble!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, drop a comment below or contact us for a consultation call here.
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