Clean the outside of your ears with a warm, damp flannel and leave the canal alone. Ears clear their own wax, so for most people nothing needs to go inside the ear at all. If wax does build up and muffles your hearing, softening it with olive oil or almond oil drops is the usual first step, and a pharmacist, GP or trained ear specialist should deal with anything stubborn. Cotton buds, hairgrips, keys and ear candles are the things to avoid.
Below you will find the safe everyday routine, why ears manage mostly by themselves, how to use drops properly, the warning signs that mean you should speak to a clinician, and a short list of things that may be worth buying. This is general information and not a substitute for medical advice. Anyone with ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing changes, a history of eardrum damage or ear surgery should speak to a GP or pharmacist before putting anything in the ear.
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The safe routine, step by step
- Wash your hands, and use a soft flannel or face cloth that has been wrung out in lukewarm water.
- Wipe the visible parts of the ear: the folds of the outer ear, the area behind the ear and the entrance to the canal. Do not push the cloth into the canal.
- Use a corner of the cloth over your little finger for the folds, taking care not to go past the opening.
- Pat the outer ear dry with a clean towel. Do not rub hard, which irritates the skin.
- Do this as part of your normal wash. Daily or every few days is plenty, and wax inside the canal does not need a separate routine.
- If your ears feel blocked, move on to softening drops (below) rather than reaching for a tool.
That is all most people need. Wax that has reached the opening of the ear has done its job and is easily wiped away. Our guide to cleaning windows without streaks teaches a lesson that applies here too: damp, soft and gentle beats forceful, and the same goes for most delicate surfaces. A stainless steel sink needs a wipe more than a scrub, and so does an ear.
Why ears mostly look after themselves
Ear wax, or cerumen, is made by glands in the outer part of the ear canal. It traps dust and dirt and helps protect the skin of the canal. Skin in the canal slowly migrates outwards from the eardrum, and jaw movements from talking and chewing help carry old wax towards the opening, where it dries and falls away or is washed off. That is why cleaning inside the canal is usually unnecessary, and why digging around in it often causes the very problems people are trying to avoid.
Some people make more wax than others, and some ears are shaped so that wax is less likely to leave. Narrow or curved canals, hairy canals, skin conditions such as eczema, and the regular use of hearing aids, in-ear headphones or earplugs can all slow the natural clearing. Older people can produce harder, drier wax. None of these is a fault, but they raise the chance of a build-up that needs help. If you wear earplugs or earphones, wipe them regularly; our guides to cleaning ear plugs and cleaning AirPods show how, since dirty earbuds put grime back in the ear.
Signs wax may be building up
- Muffled or reduced hearing, in one or both ears.
- A feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear.
- Earache or discomfort, mild itching or irritation.
- Ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus).
- Dizziness or a feeling of being off balance.
- A hearing aid that whistles or does not work as well as it used to.
These symptoms can have other causes, such as an ear infection, fluid behind the eardrum or a cold, so they do not prove the problem is wax. If symptoms are severe or do not improve, see a clinician instead of guessing.
What colour and texture say about wax
Wax ranges from pale yellow and soft to dark brown and hard, and it tends to darken and dry as it ages. Dark wax is not a sign that your ears are dirty, and it does not need removing for its own sake. Fresh wax is usually softer and lighter, and old wax that has been sitting for a while is darker. Bloody, green or foul-smelling material is different, because that can point to infection or injury and needs a medical opinion.
Children, babies and older adults
Children’s ears clear themselves in the same way, and wiping the outside is all that is needed. Never put anything into a baby’s or child’s ear, including drops, unless a doctor, pharmacist or health visitor has advised it. A child who seems to be hearing less, pulling at an ear, or has a fever should be seen by a GP. Older adults and hearing aid users are more likely to get hard wax that blocks the ear, and a hearing service or GP can look at it, rather than trying to dig it out.
Itchy ears
An itch deep in the ear is a common reason people reach for a cotton bud, but scratching can make skin inflamed and open to infection. Itching has several causes, including dry skin, eczema, a reaction to earphones or hair products, water trapped after swimming and sometimes infection. A quick wipe of the outer ear with a damp cloth is fine. If the itch persists, or comes with pain or discharge, see a pharmacist or GP and do not experiment with oils or home mixtures.
Softening stubborn wax with drops
If the ear feels blocked and you have no pain, discharge or other warning signs, the standard first step in NHS advice is to soften the wax with a few drops of olive oil or almond oil, or with over-the-counter ear drops from a pharmacy. Softened wax usually works its way out on its own over days. Ear wax removal drops sold in pharmacies come with instructions, and some are oil-based while others use different ingredients, so read the leaflet and check it is suitable for you before you start.
How to use drops
- Warm the bottle in your hands for a few minutes, because cold drops can make you dizzy.
- Lie on your side with the blocked ear facing up.
- Put in a couple of drops without touching the dropper to your ear, and gently pull the ear back and up to open the canal.
- Stay lying down for around five to ten minutes, so the oil reaches the wax. A little cotton wool at the entrance stops oil running onto the pillow, but do not push it in.
- Sit up and let any excess run out onto a tissue.
- Repeat as the pack or your pharmacist advises. Oil drops are often used a few times a day for several days.
It can take more than one course, and the wax may come out in pieces, or you may notice it only when the blockage clears. If your hearing has not improved after about two weeks, or sooner if you develop pain, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
When not to use drops
Do not put drops in if you have ear pain, a discharge, a known or suspected hole (perforation) in the eardrum, grommets, or have had recent ear surgery or an ear infection, unless a clinician has told you to. In those cases the ear needs checking first.
A word on home irrigation
Rubber bulb syringes and irrigation kits are widely sold, and some people use them to flush softened wax. Water forced into the ear can cause pain, dizziness or damage if the eardrum is not intact, and it can leave trapped moisture that leads to infection. NHS services have largely moved away from routine syringing, and many clinicians prefer microsuction. If you are considering a kit, ask a pharmacist or GP whether it is right for you, follow the instructions exactly, use lukewarm water only, never use force, and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. A kit with a bulb syringe is not appropriate for children, people with ear problems, or anyone with a perforated eardrum.
What not to put in your ears
Cotton buds
Cotton buds are the most common cause of trouble. They tend to push wax further in and pack it against the eardrum, they can scratch the skin of the canal, and in the worst case they can damage the eardrum. A common rule of thumb is to put nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear. Using them only on the outer ear is fine, but keep them out of the canal.
Hairgrips, keys, pen tops and fingers
Anything hard or sharp can scratch the canal or puncture the eardrum, and a slip or a bump from someone else can drive it further in. Fingernails and objects can also carry germs. If you have an itch, a quick wipe with a damp cloth around the opening is safer than scratching inside.
Ear candles
Ear candling involves a hollow candle burning near the ear. There is no good evidence that it removes wax, and it carries real risks, including burns, wax dripping into the canal and eardrum injury. The residue that people see afterwards comes from the candle itself. The US Food and Drug Administration has published a consumer warning about ear candles, and UK health services give similar advice.
Home remedies from the internet
Hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, tea tree oil, garlic oil and other mixtures are sometimes recommended online. Some are irritating to the skin of the canal and none is a safe first choice without advice from a pharmacist or clinician. Stick to olive oil, almond oil or a licensed ear drop product.
When to get help, and what happens then
| What is happening | How urgent | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Gradual muffling or fullness, no pain | Routine | Try drops as above. If no better after about two weeks, see a pharmacist or GP |
| Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears | Urgent | Get medical advice the same day, through your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care |
| Ear pain, especially with fever or feeling unwell | Soon | Contact your GP or NHS 111. Do not put drops in until you have been checked |
| Discharge, bleeding or pus from the ear | Soon or urgent | Seek medical advice promptly |
| Dizziness, spinning or loss of balance with ear symptoms | Soon or urgent | Seek medical advice promptly |
| Persistent ringing | Routine | See your GP, who may refer you for a hearing check |
| Something stuck in the ear, or an insect | Urgent | Do not try to remove it. Seek medical help |
If you are in the UK, ear wax removal is not always available on the NHS. In many areas it is offered only when drops have not worked and the wax is causing symptoms, and rules differ by region, so ask your GP practice what is available locally. Pharmacies, hearing clinics and high street optical and hearing chains often offer private ear wax removal, and the price and the method vary, so ask what is included before booking. Choose a provider who examines the ear first and explains what they will do.
| Method | What it involves | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| Microsuction | A clinician uses a small suction device while looking into the ear with magnification | Hard or deep wax, and many ears where water is best avoided. Your clinician will decide if it suits you |
| Irrigation | Warm water is gently flushed into the ear | Softer wax in healthy ears, where the provider is trained and has checked the eardrum |
| Manual removal | Small instruments, such as a curette or forceps, used under direct view | Wax or objects that can be seen clearly at the entrance |
Appointments usually start with a look in the ear with an otoscope, and the clinician will tell you what they find and what they suggest. Afterwards, hearing often improves straight away, though sounds can seem louder for a short time, and you may be asked to keep water out of the ear for a day. Follow whatever aftercare they give you, and avoid cotton buds. The washing-machine maintenance page at washing machine maintenance makes a similar point: regular, light attention beats a big fix after a problem has taken hold, and that holds for ears as much as appliances.
Everyday ear care, and what is worth buying
Habits that help
- Keep to the outside of the ear when you wash, and do not go looking for wax.
- Dry your ears gently after swimming or showering with a clean towel, and tilt your head to let water drain, rather than poking about with a bud.
- Wear swimming earplugs if you get water in your ears often or have been told to keep them dry.
- Clean earplugs, earbuds and hearing aids regularly, and let them dry before use.
- Turn the volume down on headphones, and take breaks. Loud noise damages hearing in a way no wax removal can fix.
- If you wear a hearing aid, have it checked and cleaned as advised by your hearing service, as they can also check for wax.
- Mention frequent blockages to your GP or pharmacist, who can suggest a plan for your ears.
Products worth considering
None of these is essential, and a flannel is enough for most people. The links lead to Amazon UK searches, so you can compare current options.
- Ear drops: oil-based or licensed wax-softening drops are the usual first line. Read the leaflet, check it is suitable for your age and that you have no perforation or ear problem, and do not use them for pain or discharge.
- Bulb syringe kits: a kit with a soft rubber bulb is only for people who have been advised that irrigation is appropriate. Look for clear instructions and a soft tip, and never use force.
- Soft flannels: a pack of soft face cloths kept for ear and face washing is all that most people need. Wash them regularly and let them dry.
- Swimming earplugs: moulded or putty swimming earplugs help keep water out if you are prone to water in the ears. Choose a size that fits comfortably, and clean them after use.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more everyday jobs around the house, see our home page, and for jewellery that touches the ear, our guide to cleaning earrings.
Quick answers about ear cleaning
Are cotton buds safe for ears? No, not inside the canal. They can pack wax against the eardrum, scratch the skin and, rarely, cause serious injury. Use them, if at all, only on the outside folds of the ear, and use a flannel for everything else.
How often should I clean my ears? Wipe the outer ear whenever you wash. The canal does not need regular cleaning, because it clears itself. If wax builds up and affects hearing, try softening drops, and ask a pharmacist or GP if it keeps happening.
Which drops are safe to use at home? Olive oil or almond oil drops, and licensed over-the-counter wax-softening drops from a pharmacy, are the usual choices. Follow the instructions, and do not use drops if you have ear pain, discharge, a perforated eardrum, grommets or recent ear surgery.
Why do some people make more wax than others? Genetics, ear shape, age and skin conditions all play a part, as does wearing earphones, earplugs or hearing aids that block the natural movement of wax outwards. More wax is normal for some people. It only matters if it blocks the ear or causes symptoms.
Can wax really cause hearing loss? Yes. A blockage can cause temporary muffling that clears once the wax is removed. Because other conditions can cause similar symptoms, see a clinician if hearing changes suddenly, one ear is much worse, or there is pain, discharge or dizziness.
