Mitigation?

Does anyone remember, in comparison, Steve Ballmer's persuasive approach?
However, by way of mundane consolation, News from Home: I have proved that you can wash iPhone earplugs with flex in a cool cottons wash with 1000rom spin and they still work—phew!!
Shock of my life when I opened the washer--the plugs were in a shirt pocket, tangled, but unharmed—I guess because the grating over the speakers is so fine--or maybe it was the highly perceptive Waitrose bio-liquid? (Other washing liquids are available.)