Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a blend of epithelial cells, dust, and oily secretions from sebaceous and ceruminous glands in the ear canal. It serves to lubricate, protect against water, inhibit bacterial growth, and trap dust and debris.
The ear is self-cleaning, allowing earwax and skin cells to naturally migrate from the eardrum to the ear opening for easy removal. Avoid using penetrative tools for ear cleaning, as this process is typically slow and orderly.
# Salt WaterSalt water is the best earwax removal solution that can be used at home. It can soften and loosen the wax accumulated inside the ear, making it easy to get rid of.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water until the salt dissolves completely.
- Soak a cotton ball in the saline solution.
- Tilt the affected ear up towards the sky. Squeeze the cotton ball to put a few drops of the saline water into the ear.
- Stay in the same position for 3–5 minutes.
- Next, tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the saline water to drain out.
- Clean the outer part of your ear with a clean cloth to remove the softened wax.
# Hydrogen PeroxideHydrogen peroxide is another very effective remedy for excessive and hardened earwax accumulation. Due to its effervescent property, hydrogen peroxide can remove the earwax and debris from the ear canal very easily. This remedy, however, is found to be effective against small blockages only.
- Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and water.
- Fill an ear dropper with this solution.
- Tilt your head sideways and put a few drops of this solution into the ear.
- Stay in this position for some time, and then tilt your head towards the opposite side to drain out the solution.
- Wipe away the earwax using a clean cloth.
# Mineral OilRegular cleaning of the ear cavity using warm mineral oil is a safe and effective way to prevent earwax buildup. This technique helps soften and break up the impacted earwax and, subsequently, facilitates its smooth and easy expulsion out of the ear. However, this method has proved to be more or less ineffective in loosening stubborn blocks.
- Fill an ear dropper with slightly warm mineral oil; make sure it is not too hot.
- Tilt the affected ear toward the sky and put two to five drops of the mineral oil into the ear.
- Place a cotton ball at the ear opening to prevent the oil from oozing out.
- Leave it for several minutes.
- Remove the cotton ball and tilt your head the opposite direction to drain out the extra oil.
- Clean the ear opening with a soft cloth.
- Instead of mineral oil, you can also use baby oil.
# Vinegar and Rubbing AlcoholAn age-old remedy to remove excess wax from your ear is using a vinegar and rubbing alcohol solution.
The mixture will help dissolve the earwax. Plus, the alcohol will serve as a drying agent and evaporate at a low temperature, and the vinegar will fight bacteria and fungi and, hence, prevent any kind of ear infection.
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a bowl.
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
- Tilt the affected ear toward the sky and then squeeze two or three drops of this solution into the ear.
- Wait for 5 minutes and tilt your head to the opposite direction so that gravity can bring out the solution as well as the wax.
- Gently remove the earwax from the outer ear using an earbud.
This remedy can also be used to treat swimmer’s ear.
# Ear Irrigation with Warm Water
# Ear Irrigation with Warm WaterFlushing your ear with warm water will also help get rid of excess earwax. The gentle force of the water will dislodge the wax, making it easier to remove. Be sure to use only sterilized water.
- Fill a rubber-bulb syringe with slightly warm water (body temperature).
- Tilt your head to the side and pull the outer ear to straighten the ear canal.
- Use a syringe to put a small amount of water into the ear canal.
- Leave it for a minute.
- Then, tilt your head to the opposite side and let gravity do its work.
- Clean away the water and earwax with a clean cloth.