How to Clean Ear Canals

You've probably heard that old saying, "Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear!" This is not necessarily true. Ear swabs are safe if used correctly to clean the outer portion of the ear and the opening of the ear canal. Irrigation of the ear canal is a safe and easy way to remove excess ear wax. Just follow these easy steps.

Instructions

• 1

  Fill a rubber bulb ear syringe with body temperature water. Do not use hot or cold water. You can do this while taking a shower or hold your head over the sink.

• 2

  Hold the point up and gently squeeze until the water just starts to come out. While still squeezing, suck up a bit more water. Be sure the syringe is full so you do not get a blast of air when you begin irrigating the ear.

• 3

  Gently squirt water into the ear canal letting the water run out of the ear canal and into the sink or shower. Excess ear wax will flush out with the water.

• 4

  Repeat the process with the other ear canal.

• 5

  Dry the ears thoroughly. Fill an eye dropper with rubbing alcohol and drip the alcohol into each ear canal. It will dry the ear by absorbing the moisture.

• 6

  Use peroxide to help soften stubborn ear wax prior to irrigating. Fill the ear with an ear dropper full of peroxide. Leave it in for five minutes and let it bubble to soften the wax then irrigate the ears with warm water.