Laptop speakers often fire downward or sideways, so the surface underneath matters as much as the grille.
Small drivers, different rules
Earbuds and portable speakers use much smaller drivers than a phone, so they clear faster but are also easier to overdrive.
Keep the volume sensible
Play the cleaning tone at a moderate level and hold the earbud away from your ear. The goal is diaphragm movement, not loudness.
Try the free speaker cleaning tool and measure the result before and after.