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Earwax Removal & Hydrogen Peroxide

There's an old saying about not putting anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. That's good advice, but sometimes you need to clean your ears to remove excess earwax. Hydrogen peroxide may already be in your medicine cabinet and can help to remove earwax. Remember that earwax problems should be reviewed by your doctor.

  1. How to Prepare the Hydrogen Peroxide

    • The hydrogen peroxide found in your medicine cabinet is most likely at a 3 percent concentration. This concentration may burn the skin. A mix of half lukewarm water and half hydrogen peroxide is safe for most people. You will only need a couple drops of this mixture for each ear. Do not use a mixture that is too warm or too cold. This can result in dizziness or pain.

    How to Use the Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Mixture

    • According to the University of Virginia Elson Student Health Center, you should use an eye dropper or bulb dropper to place about two drops of this mixture into the ear you are treating while lying on your side. Let the mixture work on that ear for about 15 minutes. Turn over and allow the liquid to drain onto a washcloth. You may or may not notice pieces of earwax coming out. Rinse the ear with water and repeat on the other side.

    How Often Should You Use Hydrogen Peroxide in Your Ears?

    • Cleaning your ears with hydrogen peroxide should be done at need. You can repeat the treatment daily until your ears are clear if the first round does not solve the problem. If it continues past a few days, consult your doctor. Once your ears are clear, repeat the treatment as needed. People who produce a great deal of earwax may need to treat their ears weekly. Others will only rarely need to clear their ears this way.

    What's That Fizzing Noise?

    • The fizzing or bubbling noise you hear when you put hydrogen peroxide drops in your ear is the oxygen in the peroxide bubbling off, according to the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. This process leaves water behind, which must be drained from your ears.

    What Are the Risks of Earwax Removal with Hydrogen Peroxide?

    • Hydrogen peroxide is not always a safe choice for removing earwax. If you think you have an ear infection, perforated ear drum or have any other problems with your ears, consult your doctor before trying any home treatments. The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary notes that flushing the ear canal with rubbing alcohol will dry it after using hydrogen peroxide. This should be done to decrease the chance of infection.

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