How to Clean Ear Plugs

Keep earplugs clean to minimize germs and infection.

Earplugs are an essential piece of protection for people who work around loud machinery or people who spend time around loud noises. Musicians, for example, often want to preserve their hearing and opt to wear earplugs to lessen the volume while they practice and perform. Because you must insert earplugs into the ear canal for them to be effective, it is important to keep them clean and free of bacteria. Cleaning should be a part of the routine every time you use earplugs.

Things You'll Need

• Earplugs
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Small bowl

Instructions

1. Fill the bowl with warm water and add a squirt of dish soap to make it sudsy.

2. Place the earplugs into the water and use your hands to wash them completely. Make sure you remove any earwax that may be on the earplugs.

3. Rinse the earplugs well with cold water and allow them to air dry completely to discourage bacteria growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use clean hands when you are inserting or removing earplugs to minimize germs on the earplugs. Dirty earplugs may lead to ear infections. Do not place wet earplugs into your ears. The moisture trapped within the ear canal on the earplugs may lead to infection.

References

• Earplug Information