Using cleaning products on electronics can be a harrowing endeavor for those who aren’t experienced in handling device parts that are sensitive to liquid and moisture. If you prefer to get your AirPods Max headphones professionally serviced, you can pay extra for AppleCare+ coverage, which extends protection to two years and “includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection, each subject to a service fee.” Make sure to check with Apple Support if you’re not sure if AppleCare+ covers your particular issue. Some customers have been able to walk into an Apple Store to get their headphones cleaned (per Reddit).
You can also get a protective casing for your AirPods Max headphones if you don’t want to regularly clean the device. Although the Apple Store has limited accessories available for the AirPods Max — you can get a set of replacement ear cushions as a backup — you can purchase ear cup covers, casings, skins, or protectors on third-party websites like Amazon. Some even have an attachment that covers the headband portion of the AirPods Max.