# How do you clean your ears? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805 "2002-06-13T06:29:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Conti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Conti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Conti)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/1 "2002-06-13T06:29:53Z")
Doctors say not to put q-tips in your ears. So dopers…how do each of you clean your ears? Nobody wants to go around with wax buildup! Conti ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/2 "2002-06-13T07:32:36Z")
Meh, I’m fine with the wax build-up. Here’s what [the Master sez](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_111.html): > [@](#): > > **In most people earwax is produced in modest amounts and migrates out of the ear naturally. But a few people such as yourself are, let’s face it, freaks. You may be tempted to remove excess earwax with a Q-tip or the like. Don’t; you’ll pack it in tighter. Better you should try an over-the-counter preparation such as Debrox or ordinary mineral oil. You put in a dropperful and pack your ear with cotton; the earwax softens and comes out.** ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/3 "2002-06-13T23:18:11Z")
Have a search for ‘ear candle’…there has been some discussion about those. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/4 "2002-06-13T23:37:20Z")
I put my shower head on “massage” so I have only about 5 or 6 pulsing streams coming out of it and stick my ear under it. My Dr recomended it and so far, seems to work. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/5 "2002-06-13T23:53:44Z")
Either the ignition key to a specific car I own, or a carefully selected top to a Bic Round Stic pen. My wife won’t touch my keys and there is one “special” pen in our house that isn’t used for anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Victory\_Candescence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Victory\_Candescence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victory_Candescence)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/6 "2002-06-14T04:00:06Z")
I don’t have Q-tips. I use a tissue to clean my ears. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/7 "2002-06-14T04:19:55Z")
**[I use Q-tips](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35703)** ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/8 "2002-06-14T20:45:20Z")
I take a small paper clip, unbend the outer end to make a handle, then use it as an impromptu shovel. Yes, it _is_ disgusting, and I’m the guy who’s doing it… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/9 "2002-06-14T20:58:58Z")
Mineral oil, warm water, a squirt bulb (and thou). Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/10 "2002-06-15T01:51:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*I take a small paper clip, unbend the outer end to make a handle, then use it as an impromptu shovel. > > Yes, it _is_ disgusting, and I’m the guy who’s doing it… :eek: \*\* I posted this once already, but I guess the server ate it… Anyway, if you prefer to scrape, I’d recommend hitting up a Japanese drug or department store, as there are bamboo (or bamboo-looking plastic) ear cleaners that have a wider, smoother, and, I’d imagine, altogether safer “scoop” than a paper clip would provide. If you can’t find one in your area (FWIW, I’d imagine that Yaohan plaza - or whatever the new management’s name is - in Little Tokyo would have it), I’d be willing to see if I could find one up here and ship it over to ya. I mean, paper clips… :shudders: ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/11 "2002-06-15T02:31:16Z")
The master debunks ear candles: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_098.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_098.html) ---
**Author:** ![cercaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@cercaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cercaria)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/12 "2002-06-15T02:50:51Z")
I don’t clean them at all. Is this gross of me? My boyfriend thinks it’s downright nasty, but it’s not like I have any buildup or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/13 "2002-06-15T02:53:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cercaria \* > \*\*I don’t clean them at all. Is this gross of me? My boyfriend thinks it’s downright nasty, but it’s not like I have any buildup or anything. \*\* Then don’t start looking for solutions to non-problems! QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/14 "2002-06-15T08:23:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KKBattousai \* > Anyway, if you prefer to scrape, I’d recommend hitting up a Japanese drug or department store, as there are bamboo (or bamboo-looking plastic) ear cleaners that have a wider, smoother, and, I’d imagine, altogether safer “scoop” than a paper clip would provide. Actually, I used to use a metal version of one of those, but switched to paper clips because they get the wax out quicker. 🙂 > [@](#): > > I mean, paper clips… :shudders: Hey, I never said it was pretty… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Venoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@Venoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venoma)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/15 "2002-06-15T10:59:37Z")
My ear canals get itchy if I go too long w/o cleaning, I use q-tips with alcohol. (the alcohol gets rid of the itch) ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/16 "2002-06-15T13:02:55Z")
Speaking as a person who suffers from a recurrent otitis media (middle ear infection), which has managed to blow out my eardrums at least once in each ear, just be freaking careful digging around in there! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/17 "2002-06-15T14:49:49Z")
I’ve been using Q-tips almost every day since I was a kid and I’ve never had a problem. As long as you do it right, it’s not dangerous. At least for me. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@bibliophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophile)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/18 "2002-06-15T14:53:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by thinksnow \* > \*\***[I use Q-tips](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35703)** \*\* Me too, love that eargasm! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/19 "2002-06-15T15:43:49Z")
I lay on the floor next to the shoe buffer. And you thought I was just brushing my teeth! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805/20 "2002-06-15T15:58:18Z")
Debrox, then an ear syringe. Fill the bathroom sink half fulla warm soapy water. Use the syringe to squirt the water into your ear until no more gunk comes out. It’s surprising how much crud accumulates. Makes you wonder if some of it is dessicated Rap noise. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-clean-your-ears/113805.md?page=2)