Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Wax Removal

An abundance of earwax affects your hearing and balance; it can also be a very uncomfortable feeling. While there are several products on the market for earwax removal, the use of hydrogen peroxide can be a painless, cheaper way to take care of the problem. Hydrogen peroxide can be purchased in any grocery or pharmacy, but chances are you already have a bottle sitting in your medicine cabinet.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Eye dropper
• Paper towel or napkin
• Cotton swabs

Instructions

1. Choose a time when you are not rushed. This process takes about 30 minutes for each ear to be flushed.

2. Use an eye dropper or medicine dropper and fill it with hydrogen peroxide. This can be easily accomplished by pouring a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into the lid of the bottle and filling the dropper with the liquid.

3. Lie on your side and squeeze the contents of the dropper into the affected ear. As the hydrogen peroxide works its way down the ear canal, you will feel a tingling as the liquid bubbles into the earwax. This is not a painful sensation.

4. Remain lying on your side for at least 20 minutes. Turn over and place a paper towel or napkin under your ear and let the liquid drain out. This takes approximately 10 minutes. Use a cotton tip swab to remove any remaining excess from the outside of the ear canal.

5. Repeat with the other ear if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• If ear wax has excessively built up, you may have to repeat this procedure several times.

• Flushing the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide can also help with swimmers ear.

• If any pain is felt, consult with your doctor, as there may be a problem more severe than simple earwax.