The safest ways to clean ears include:
- Doing nothing if there are no symptoms since earwax naturally protects and cleans the ear.
- Using lukewarm water gently sprayed with a syringe into the ear while tilting the head, then letting it drain and drying the ear.
- Applying a few drops of oil (olive, almond, baby, or mineral oil) or hydrogen peroxide to soften earwax, waiting a few minutes, then draining it out.
- Cleaning only the outer ear with a warm, damp washcloth—never inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal as they can cause damage or push wax deeper.
- Seeking medical help if there is ear pain, drainage, hearing difficulty, or excessive wax buildup; professionals have safe tools like curettes and suction devices to remove wax.
Avoid ear candling and at-home suction devices, as they can cause injury. Use over-the-counter ear drops following instructions, and avoid use if there is a history of ear infections, ear surgery, or a perforated eardrum. In summary, gentle cleaning with water, oil, or hydrogen peroxide for softening wax combined with external wiping is recommended, while professional removal is safest for impacted wax or symptoms.
