How to Clean Your Ears

Ensure there is no risk of ear infection or eardrum rupture. Cleaning your ears in these situations can be very dangerous, so you should not attempt any ear cleaning method if you suspect any issues. Instead, you should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Fever.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Green or yellow pus draining from the ear.
• Severe and persistent ear pain.

Prepare an earwax softening solution. You can purchase carbamide peroxide solution from a pharmacy or make your own ear cleaning solution at home. Mix warm water with the following ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons of 3-4% hydrogen peroxide solution
• 1-2 teaspoons of mineral oil
• 1-2 teaspoons of glycerin

Prepare a dropper (if desired). If you don't have a dropper, you can simply pour the solution from a bowl into your ear. However, using a dropper makes the cleaning process easier and more controlled.

• Use a large plastic syringe with a plastic tip, a rubber bulb syringe, or an eyedropper.
• Fill the dropper with the ear cleaning solution, leaving it half full.

Tilt your head to one side. The cleaning process will be more effective if you keep the ear canal as vertical as possible. Tilt the ear you want to clean upwards.

• Lie on your side if possible, placing a towel under your head to catch any excess solution that may drip out.

Slowly drop the solution into your ear. Pour the solution from the bowl into your ear or hold the dropper a few centimeters away from your ear canal (do not insert it inside) and drop it in.

• If using hydrogen peroxide, you may hear a fizzing or bubbling sound. This is completely normal, so there's no need to worry.
• If possible, ask someone else to help drop the solution into your ear to ensure it's done properly.

Let the solution work for a few minutes. Keep your head tilted for a few moments to allow the solution to penetrate the earwax. You only need to hold this position for about 5-10 minutes.

• If using hydrogen peroxide, allow the solution to work until the fizzing or bubbling sound stops.

Let the water flow out. Place a bowl under your ear or block the ear with a cotton ball. Slowly tilt your head to the opposite side to allow the water to drain out.

• Be careful not to push a cotton swab inside the ear. Simply place the cotton ball lightly outside the ear so it can absorb the water draining from the ear.

Flush out the earwax. After softening the earwax, you can use a rubber bulb syringe to flush out the loosened wax. Gently squirt warm water (around 37°C) into the ear canal. If the earwax is stubborn or the ear canal is too narrow, you should use clean, warm water instead of a syringe.

• Pull the earlobe upward and backward to open the ear canal.
• This process should be done over a sink, bathtub, or container to avoid making a mess while flushing the earwax out.

Rinse the ear again. If too much earwax has accumulated, repeat the ear cleaning process twice daily for 4-5 days.

• Do not clean your ears too frequently. Over-cleaning can damage the eardrum and the sensitive skin inside the ear canal.

Dry the ear. After rinsing, place a towel outside your ear and tilt your head to the opposite side to allow any remaining water to drain out. Gently pat the ear with a towel, and repeat the same process for the other ear.

See a doctor. If you can't clear your ear on your own, it's best to schedule an appointment with a doctor. They can quickly assess any earwax blockage and help you clean your ears. You may experience the following symptoms if you have a blockage:

• Persistent ear pain.
• Reduced hearing.
• A feeling of fullness or buzzing in the ear.

Use over-the-counter solutions. To manage earwax buildup long-term, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter solution containing carbamide peroxide every 4-8 weeks.

• Some brands that offer carbamide peroxide include Murine, Debrox, Auro, Mack's, and GoodSense.
• Your doctor may also suggest prescription ear drops containing Trolamine Polypeptide Oleate or Cerumenex.

Relax. A doctor may use a water irrigator or syringe to remove small earwax particles, or a curette or suction device for larger wax buildup. This procedure takes only a few minutes, is painless, and significantly improves your hearing ability.

Consult an expert if necessary. If earwax buildup becomes a recurring issue and bothers you frequently, it's a good idea to speak with a doctor or an ENT specialist.

• Clean your ears after a shower. Earwax tends to soften after a bath, making it easier to remove.
• People of Asian descent often have dry earwax. Pouring water into the ear may not be effective for those with dry earwax. In this case, you should purchase an ear pick from a pharmacy or market. The pick typically consists of a handle (usually made of bamboo) and a small spoon at the end (for scooping earwax). Be cautious while cleaning the ear and avoid inserting the pick too deep into the ear canal. Dry earwax generally doesn’t accumulate much, so it can often be safely removed by hand if done carefully. It's better to ask someone else for help.
• If you're unsure, consult a doctor for advice.
• If hydrogen peroxide dries out your ear, place a few drops of oil (mineral oil or baby oil) in your ear.
• Frequent use of cotton swabs can scratch the ear canal, leading to infections (outer ear infection).
• If you’re having issues with earwax, it’s best to consult an ENT specialist.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide if you have a perforated eardrum or a history of ear problems.
• According to ENT specialists, you should only use cotton swabs as a last resort. Using cotton swabs for ear cleaning can cause numerous problems. Instead, use a warm cloth to wipe the outer ear or gently clean from inside to outside while showering.
• Wipe your ears with a warm towel (only the outer ear, never inside the ear).

• Never use cotton swabs inside the ear canal. Inserting a cotton swab too far is a leading cause of eardrum perforations, which may require surgery to repair.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide more than 1-2 times a week.
• If you have an ear infection or suspect a perforated eardrum, consult a doctor before trying any home ear cleaning methods. Otherwise, you may cause significant harm to your ear.
• Avoid home remedies for children under 12 years old.
• Do not attempt ear candling (placing a candle near the ear). Some believe it can remove earwax, but research has shown it’s ineffective. Ear candling can lead to serious injuries, such as burns or eardrum perforations.

• Earwax softening solution
• Plastic/rubber syringe or eye dropper
• Paper towels, cotton balls, or a bath towel
• Warm water