How To

How to Make Your Own Ear Candles

Contributor
By Michelle Miley
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

In ear candling, a metal plate is placed over the ear. There is a hole in the center of the plate to allow the wide end of an ear candle to be placed in it. The other end of the ear candle is then lit and allowed to burn for several minutes. Ear candling supporters claim that the ear candle creates a very small vacuum that lifts wax and debris out of the ear canal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Cotton (or linen) Double-boiler Stove Tapered wooden or metal dowel rod, about 12 inches long and two inches across on the wide end Cooking oil Paraffin or beeswax
  1. Step 1

    Cut cotton into strips that are 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. You can purchase cotton at a fabric store or use old pillowcases or sheets. It does not matter where the cotton comes from as long as it is clean.

  2. Step 2

    Melt the wax in a double-boiler over low heat. While the wax is melting, lightly lubricate the dowel rod with cooking oil.

  3. Step 3

    When the wax is completely melted, dip the cotton strips into the wax. Make sure that you coat the entire strip with the wax.

  4. Step 4

    When the cotton strip has been coated with was, wrap it around the dowel rod. Start at the narrow end of the rod and work your way down. Make sure that the wraps of cotton overlap each other as they spiral down the rod.

  5. Step 5

    Allow the wax to begin to harden, but do not let it cool completely. When the wax is firm, gently rotate the dowel in the opposite direction of the cotton wraps to loosen it from the cotton. When the dowel is loose, slowly remove it from the middle of the cotton. You now have a homemade cotton ear candle.

Tips & Warnings
  • Make sure that you remember to oil your dowel rod in between every candle.
  • Both Canadian and American health officials consider the use of ear candles to create a risk for fire and burns. If done improperly, ear candling can deposit melted wax into the ear canal.

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