How to Clean Ear Wax Safely

Ear wax is an essential part of good ear health. Glands located in our outer ear canal produce wax, called cerumen, to trap foreign debris and keep it from entering the inner ear canal. In some cases, excessive ear wax production can lead to earaches, ringing of the ears and possibly hearing loss. When trying to remove excess earwax, there are certain procedures you must follow to prevent causing damage to your inner ear.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton ball
• Saline solution
• Baby oil
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Over-the-counter earwax softener
• Dry rag

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Instructions

• 1

  Tilt head or lay on your side so the opening of your ear is facing up.

• 2

  Soak a cotton ball in saline solution, baby oil, hydrogen peroxide, plain water or an over-the-counter earwax softener.

• 3

  Squeeze the cotton ball, allowing a few drops of liquid to enter the ear. Keep head tilted for approximately three to five minutes to allow the fluid to seep through the wax.

• 4

  Tilt head in the opposite direction, allowing the fluid to drain away. Gently wipe the liquid from your outer ear with a soft rag.