How To Safely Remove Earwax (and What NOT To Do)

Usually, earwax issues resolve on their own. Your ears naturally move wax outward, often allowing it to fall out while you sleep. But problems can crop up when wax builds up faster than your ears can clear it out — or when your well-meaning cleaning attempts push it in deeper.

“Trying to clean out your earwax can cause more problems than it solves,” says otolaryngology specialist Jenaye Baker, PA-C. “Your ears clean themselves. When the outer layer of skin in the ear canal sheds, the wax will fall out with it.”

But if that natural process isn’t quite doing the job, you have options. Baker explains which methods are safe to try, what to avoid and when to head to a doctor.

How to remove earwax

So, how should you handle earwax woes? If it’s becoming a nuisance, turn to these safe, doctor-approved tactics that won’t don’t damage your ear canal or eardrum.

Ear drops

Over-the-counter ear drops, like Debrox®, are liquid medications that contain the right balance of hydrogen peroxide (or other types of peroxide) to help dissolve earwax.

Here’s how to use ear cleaning drops safely:

• Lie on your side. Make sure the ear you’re treating faces up.
• Add the drops as directed. Follow the instructions on the package.
• Let them sit. Allow the solution to stay in your ear for about five minutes. This lets the liquid soak in and soften things up.
• Have a tissue ready. When you sit up, the cleaning liquid should drain out — and with it, the loosened wax.

Ear cleaning drops work best if you’re only dealing with a small amount of earwax. They probably won’t work if you have too much earwax or a condition called impacted cerumen, when a firm wax plug blocks your ear canal.

“If you have an earwax plug, putting drops in your ear may make things worse,” Baker warns. “Drops will soften the plug but not dissolve or remove it. Then, the softened plug ends up plugging your ear even more.”

A bulb syringe (aka ear flushing)

If drops alone don’t help, flushing your ear with a bulb syringe may be an option. These small handheld devices are available at most drugstores.

To flush your ear:

• Fill the syringe with warm (not hot!) water.
• Place it near the ear opening, but not inside.
• Gently squeeze the bulb so the water flows into your ear.
• Tilt your head over a sink or tub to let the water and wax drain out.

But before you begin, keep these important precautions in mind:

• Be gentle. Too much pressure can damage your eardrum.
• Check the temperature. Water that’s too hot or too cold can make you dizzy.
• Know when to skip this option. Don’t use this method if you have a hole in your eardrum or a history of eardrum surgery.

“If you’re not comfortable flushing your own ears, check with your primary care provider’s office to see if they’ll do it for you,” Baker suggests.

Mineral oil

Your healthcare provider may recommend putting a few drops of mineral oil on your ears before you come in to have earwax removed. This can help lubricate the ear canal and soften the earwax, which makes it easier to get out.

Some people use olive oil for this step instead, which can have the same effect. But don’t try olive oil as a standalone attempt at treatment. One study found that on its own, olive oil in the ears makes wax buildup worse.

“It should only be used if you’re also heading into the doctor’s office for their help,” Baker clarifies.

Earwax removal: What NOT to do

Not all earwax removal methods are safe — even if they’re popular or widely advertised. Baker recommends steering clear of two of them, in particular.

Cotton swabs

The warning printed on cotton swab packaging is there for a reason: “Do not insert swabs into the ear canal.”

“The tip of the cotton swab actually just pushes earwax deeper into your ears,” Baker explains. “So, the more you use it, the more earwax you push in.”

There’s also a real risk of injury. Pushing a cotton swab too far in can rupture your eardrum. You can also scratch your ear canal, causing a break in the skin that makes it easier for bacteria to enter and cause infection.

Ear candling

There are two important reasons to avoid ear candling, which is also sometimes known as ear coning: “It doesn’t work, and it may burn you,” Baker warns.

There’s no evidence that these long, hollow candles actually help “draw out” wax, as they claim. But there is evidence that using this alleged home remedy can make earwax blockages worse and cause a variety of injuries.

When to see a doctor

While earwax is generally more annoying than dangerous, sometimes you need a healthcare provider to clear it.

“It’s not common, but some people do need an ear cleaning,” Baker says. “This may be the case if you keep getting wax blockages despite not sticking cotton swabs, earplugs or other similar items in your ears.”

Seek medical evaluation if recommended home remedies don’t work and:

• Your ear hurts.
• Your hearing is muffled.
• It feels like something is blocking your ear.
• You feel dizzy.
• You’re experiencing tinnitus, a ringing in your ears.

Your healthcare provider will need to take a look and see if your ear canal is open or if wax is plugging it up. If the situation is minor, you may be able to get your ears unblocked right then and there. A provider can use a specialized microscope to see inside your ear canal, loosen the wax and vacuum it out.

Importantly, though, a clogged ear may have other causes — and only a healthcare provider can say for certain.

“It could be a middle ear infection with fluid filling up the space behind the eardrum,” Baker says. “Or you could have a viral infection that affects the inner ear. In those cases, a healthcare provider can diagnose and treat you to prevent permanent hearing loss.”

Final thoughts

Unless you’re having a specific issue, try not to worry about earwax. It isn’t a sign of poor hygiene. In fact, it plays an important role in keeping your ears healthy.

“A lot of people think earwax is dirty and needs to be cleaned out, but it actually has both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties,” Baker says. “It also protects ears from things that could hurt the eardrum, like first, dust and hair.”

But like most things in life, it’s all about balance. Too much wax can block your ears and cause temporary hearing loss or infections. If it’s bugging you, stick with safe removal methods — and know when to get medical help if your symptoms persist.