Homemade Ear Cleaner

Keep your hair clear of your ear when using homemade ear cleaner.

Ear wax plays a protective role in ear health, but buildup can be uncomfortable and promote bacterial and fungal growth. Swabbing your ear may be enough to remove light ear wax buildup in you ear canal, however attempts to remove excess this way may make conditions worse. For buildup, try this homemade ear cleaner.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
• White vinegar
• Rubber baby syringe
• Towels
• Petroleum jelly

Cleaning Your Ears

1. Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide with clean water. For example, measure a half cup peroxide and a half cup water in a small bowl.

2. Tuck your hair behind your ear and use hair clips to hold in place. You may also use petroleum jelly to protect any hair near your ear so that it does not bleach if it comes into contact with the hydrogen peroxide.

3. Lie on your side on top of clean towels, with your ear facing upward. Pull the outer part of your ear upward and toward the back of your head, so your ear canal is more easily accessible and straightened out.

4. Fill the rubber baby syringe with the peroxide solution and gently irrigate your ear canal by applying gentle pressure to the bulb, letting the fluid run out your ear and onto the towel.

5. Keep your head in this position for five minutes so that the solution still in your ear can do its work. You may feel the peroxide bubbling in your ear as it loosens the ear wax.

6. Rinse and irrigate your ear with tap water of a comfortable temperature several times. If this resolves the wax buildup blockage, you're done.

7. For more stubborn ear wax, make a solution of one part rubbing alcohol and one part white vinegar. Repeat application procedure above with this solution instead of the hydrogen peroxide.

Tips & Warnings

• See your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen. If you experience any pain or discomfort from this procedure, stop and call a medical professional. Make sure the solution you use in your ear is room temperature or lukewarm to prevent any dizziness or discomfort.

References

• Ear, Nose, and Throat Center; How To Remove Ear Wax Impactions
• DoctorHoffman.com; The Ear Wax FAQ
• LIVESTRONG.COM; How to Clean Ears With Hydrogen Peroxide