Contrary to popular belief, ear wax isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s good for your ears. Ear wax protects your ear canal from dust and debris that can find their way around your ear. That being said, you don’t want too much wax sitting in your ears, as that can also cause problems.

A good rule of thumb is to clean your ears every few days with these home remedies.

How to Clean Your Ears at Home Naturally

Warm Water

Immediately after taking a shower, rub a cotton swab around the outside of your ear — the warm water from your shower will loosen any debris sitting on your ear. If you do use a cotton swab on your ears, make sure you never actually insert it into your ear canal — swabs have been known to burst an eardrum if inserted too forcefully.

Salt Water

One teaspoon of salt per half a cup of warm water is all you need for this natural wax removal remedy. Once all of the salt has dissolved, tilt one ear upward and use a cotton swab to gently rub the solution around your ear, allowing water to drip inside your ear canal. After a minute, tilt your ear down and let the solution drain out.

Hydrogen Peroxide

As one of the most effective ways to remove excess wax, hydrogen peroxide is best able to remove stubborn ear wax from inside your ear canal. Using a dropper, place a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water (equal parts) into your ear as you lay on one side. After one to two minutes, sit up and let the solution drain into a paper towel or washcloth held near your ear.

When cleaning your ears, it’s so important to never force anything (liquids or solids) into your ear canal. Before cleaning your ears, you should speak with a professional to ensure you won’t cause any damage to your ears or hearing.

Schedule your same-day appointment with Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia today! Our team of board-certified allergy specialists will discuss your options and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Contact us at (404) 994-3574 or visit us online to book your appointment.