# Do you clean your ears with cotton swabs? Have you hurt yourself doing this? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488 "2013-01-08T15:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/1 "2013-01-08T15:41:17Z")
We are regularly warned [not to use cotton swabs to clean our ear canals.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_swab#Medical_risks) Scofflaw that I am, I have done so for years, and I have miraculously avoided inflicting permanent damage upon my ears. Wax is only a minor concern; I mostly use the swabs to clean water out of my ear canals after a shower. Howabout you? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/2 "2013-01-08T15:51:47Z")
You mean there’s other uses? I also use bobby pins and the cap off a Bic pen. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/3 "2013-01-08T15:52:33Z")
Where’s the option for only occasionally? Fact is, you’re not supposed to stick anything smaller in your ears than your elbow. I very very rarely use one to clean out the wax since apparently my cilia are fairly incompetent at shoving wax out. But it’s extremely rare, and I am concerned about damaging my ear, even by accident. I’m sure it’s happened, lots. ETA: Bobby pins? Shudder. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/4 "2013-01-08T15:53:53Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You mean there’s other uses? > I also use bobby pins and the cap off a Bic pen. I also use paper clips. (the rounded part, I don’t straighten them first) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/5 "2013-01-08T15:56:57Z")
I wouldn’t say I’ve hurt myself, but I’ve probably done more harm than good on occasion. Hasn’t stopped me, though. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/6 "2013-01-08T15:59:36Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Where’s the option for only occasionally? Either of the “yes” answers fit the bill. Frequency of use is not specified. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/7 "2013-01-08T16:11:02Z")
Yes, I use them but only on the exterior now. I think I did feel a tiny pinge of pain once before by going too deep, but it was nothing like the guy on the commercial for the vacuum device that screams out like someone went into his ear with a screwdriver. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/8 "2013-01-08T16:17:12Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Yes, I use them but only on the exterior now. I think I did feel a tiny pinge of pain once before by going too deep, but it was nothing like the guy on the commercial for the vacuum device that screams out like someone went into his ear with a screwdriver. Yes, we had a good giggle over that commercial also. First, the guy is shoving the Qtip forcefully into his head .. then, they offer you TWO of those very necessary ear vacuum machines. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/9 "2013-01-08T16:19:44Z")
I don’t go all the way to my eardrum - I just clean the sides of my ear canal, so no pain, and I do remove some goopy stuff. That idiot in the commercial shouldn’t be allowed out in public without a keeper. I bet he’s married to the woman who can’t pour spaghetti from a pot to a strainer, and I bet his mom is the one incapable of using a blanke to keep warm… I love commercials. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/10 "2013-01-08T16:33:08Z")
I wear earplugs at night and the insides of my ears get really oily from that and it tickles, so I generally clean my ears every morning just to swab up the oil. I don’t go jabbing the q-tip towards my brain. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/11 "2013-01-08T16:40:46Z")
> [@Vita\_Beata](#): > > Yes, we had a good giggle over that commercial also. First, the guy is shoving the Qtip forcefully into his head .. then, they offer you TWO of those very necessary ear vacuum machines. You didn’t notice they come in left and right hand models? ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/12 "2013-01-08T16:49:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I also use paper clips. (the rounded part, I don’t straighten them first) +1 ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/13 "2013-01-08T17:15:46Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You didn’t notice they come in left and right hand models? Bwahahaha! Yes, I’d like to vacuum out both ears at the same time to really stir up some good cerebrial blood flow. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/14 "2013-01-08T17:34:39Z")
I use[Mental Floss](http://www.google.com/imgres?q=ear+floss&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS473US473&biw=1064&bih=662&tbm=isch&tbnid=2_5bkkeDF1TRuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/b/braining.asp&docid=Qw-clntbQRLk0M&imgurl=http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/ear0122l.jpg&w=400&h=324&ei=d1jsUM26EI690QHM3ICgDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=504&sig=115817013860515735784&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0,i:108&tx=94&ty=55). Getting a lot laughs from that vacuum commercial also. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/15 "2013-01-08T17:35:11Z")
So far five people claim to have hurt themselves while cleaning their ears with cotton swabs. I’m curious to hear their stories. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/16 "2013-01-08T17:40:18Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > So far five people claim to have hurt themselves while cleaning their ears with cotton swabs. I’m curious to hear their stories. So are they. ---
**Author:** ![thatguyjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@thatguyjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatguyjeff)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/17 "2013-01-08T17:43:16Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Fact is, you’re not supposed to stick anything smaller in your ears than your elbow. Fact is, this is just something adults tell kids so they don’t stick toys, rocks, sticks, whatever in their ears. There’s nothing wrong with a competent adult using a cotton swab or similar item for aural hygene. Also - we’re all well familiar with the ridiculous warnings various products have on their packaging to protect them from liability. That way, if someone shoves a cotton swab in their ear recklessly, hey - it’s on the box! Not our fault. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/18 "2013-01-08T17:44:40Z")
I always wonder just how safe sticking a vacuum in one’s ear canal isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/19 "2013-01-08T17:45:07Z")
I clean my ears with them occasionally, probably once a month on average. I _don’t_ routinely use them to dry my ears after a shower. I use a square of toilet paper, inserted with the tip of my pinky, to blot the excess water. I think this actually works better than using a Q-tip, and the fewer times you stick a Q-tip in your ear, the less likely you’ll hurt yourself. When I do clean my ears, I stand with my feet spread wide (in case of an Earthquake, even though I don’t live in California any more), carefully insert the Q-tip in the center of the ear canal as far in as I’ll go, then clean while pulling it out. This way, any slip while cleaning won’t poke my eardrum, and any wax is pulled out, rather than pushed in. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488/20 "2013-01-08T17:45:52Z")
The people who say “never stick anything into your ear smaller than your elbow” have obviously never worked in an area where you are often REQUIRED to wear earplugs. I wear them almost every night so I can get some sleep on an otherwise noisy boat. And yeah, they do end up getting waxy. Oh well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-clean-your-ears-with-cotton-swabs-have-you-hurt-yourself-doing-this/646488.md?page=2)