Cotton swabs or not? How to clean your ears thoroughly and safely

Ear wax does not look nice and if it comes out of the ear canal, it is perceived as unclean. For this reason, consumers like to use the so-called “Q-tip” to remove excess ear wax.

However, ENT doctors expressly advise against this. Any attempt to clean the ear canal, even with the help of your little finger, they explain, will only push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal.

But there is a very simple solution to keep your ears clean.

Earwax protects the ear canal

It is understandable that earwax has such a bad reputation, given its sticky texture and unpleasant smell. In fact, however, it has a useful role in the ear: ear wax protects the ear from dirt and bacteria. This also often prevents ear infections from occurring very quickly.

How ears clean themselves

ENT doctor Dr. Christopher Chang from Warrenton, Virginia, doesn’t understand all the fuss about ear cleaning because: “Ears are self-cleaning,” he tells the online magazine “SELF.”

Jaw movements, for example when speaking, automatically move ear wax out of the inner ear, explains Dr. Erich Voigt, ENT doctor and professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center.

It is better not to clean the ear canal

Doctors therefore advise against cleaning anything other than the external ear. Narrow objects should never be inserted into the ear, as this will only push the wax deeper into the ear canal and can lead to a blockage.

The thin layer of tissue that is supposed to protect the eardrum can also be damaged. In this case, experts speak of a perforated eardrum. Both can impair hearing.

How useful are Q-tips and ear candles?

The basic rule is: Nothing should be put into the ear. The Q-tips that are often used for this purpose are also not suitable for use in the ear canal – this is sometimes even indicated on the packaging.

Not only do they push the earwax deeper into the ear canal, they can also rupture structures in the ear and thus encourage infections. The liquid wax of an ear candle is designed to suck up the earwax and eventually pull it out of the ear.

The fact that an open flame is held right next to the ear makes this procedure dangerous enough, says Dr. Voigt. But there is also the risk that hot candle wax will flow deep into the ear canal and reach the eardrum.

Also a clear no to ear wax softeners, which are usually mineral oil or glycerine based. They ensure that ear wax blockages melt. However, there is a risk that the ear wax will run deeper into the ear instead of out of the ear and also form a blockage that is much more serious for hearing.

This is how the ear should be cleaned

Dr. Voigt recommends cleaning the ears in the shower with a washcloth and then carefully drying them with a towel. In both cases, cleaning should be limited to the outer ear. It is advisable to clean the outer ear and behind the ears with pH-neutral soap products.

Anything beyond that – and this also includes minimal cleaning of the external ear canal – would disrupt the ear canal’s natural self-cleaning process.

Important NOTE: The information in this article contains only general information. To clarify severe ear pain or poor hearing, we recommend visiting a trained and recognized ENT doctor.