How to Clean Your Ears Safely at Home

1. Saline Water

Saline water is used in ear syringing, a method commonly used to clean ears at home. A saline solution can also be used effectively without a syringe. It helps soften the accumulated wax, making it easy to get rid of

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in ½ cup of warm water.
2. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
3. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, tilt your ear toward the ceiling and squeeze a few drops into the ear.
4. Hold your head in that position for 5 minutes.
5. Tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the saline water to drain out.
6. Clean the outer part of your ear with a clean cloth to remove the softened wax.

Note: The saline solution should be at body temperature to prevent dizziness

2. Boiled Warm Water

You can simply use clean and purified warm water to drain the ears of earwax. Water is very gentle to your ears and can help dislodge the wax.

Be sure the water is purified to reduce the risk of bacteria causing more harm inside the ears.

1. Boil a little water and allow it to cool down to room temperature.
2. Fill a dropper with the water.
3. Tilt your head toward the ceiling and put drops of the warm water directly inside the ear.
4. Allow it to sit for about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Tilt your head in the opposite direction to drain the water from the ear.
6. Use cotton balls to clean out the dislodged earwax and other particles.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another very common method for cleaning out your ears.

It will soften the wax and its effervescent action, which may cause fizzing or popping sounds, will help bring the wax closer to the outer surface for easy removal.

1. Mix equal amounts of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
2. Fill a dropper with the solution.
3. Using the dropper, put the solution into your ear while keeping it tilted toward the ceiling.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes or until the fizzing sound stops.
5. Tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the solution to run out.
6. Use a clean cloth to remove any residue you find near the outer part of the ear.
7. Use this remedy no more than once a week.

Note: Do not use hydrogen peroxide if you have a perforated eardrum or a history of ear problems

4. Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol

Another effective method to clean wax out of your ears is using a mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. While the vinegar helps dissolve the earwax and prevents the buildup of bacteria inside the ears, rubbing alcohol dries up the liquid that might be left in the ears.

1. Mix white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in equal amounts.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
3. Squeeze a few drops of the solution into the ear while keeping it tilted toward the ceiling.
4. After 3 to 5 minutes, tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the solution to drain out along with the earwax.
5. Using another cotton ball, remove any residual gunk from the outer ear.

5. Glycerin

Glycerin is also effective in getting rid of earwax. It will help soften the earwax, so that it can be easily taken out of the ear.

1. Keep the affected ear titled toward the ceiling.
2. Using a dropper, put a few drops of glycerin into the ear.
3. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes by placing a cotton ball in the ear opening.
4. Take out the cotton ball and tilt your ear in the opposite direction to allow the liquid to drain out.
5. Clean out the softened wax using a soft cloth or cotton ball.