Home Remedies: Effective earwax removal - Mayo Clinic News Network (2025)

FAQs

Home Remedies: Effective earwax removal - Mayo Clinic News Network? ›

Your health care provider may also recommend that you use earwax-softening agents such as saline, mineral oil or olive oil. This helps loosen the wax so that it can leave the ear more easily.

If the aim is to completely break down the wax, waxsol, peroxide 3% or a sodium bicarbonate solution (which can be prepared by your local pharmacist) is effective.

Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal. Use warm water. After a day or two, when the wax is softened, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal.

Mineral oil should be kept at and administered at room temperature. Instill 3-5 drops into the affected ear at bedtime. Over night the oil will turn the hard/dry wax into a liquid substance.

Baking soda solution: A baking soda solution can also help soften wax. You can make it on your own using 1 part sterile water and 1 part baking soda. Fill a small syringe with the solution and place 5 drops in your ear once a day.

Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide. Medicated ear drops may also be recommended to help soften the wax, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System).

Earwax removal tips

Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 2 ounces of warm water. If you have a dropper bottle, pour the solution into it. Tilt your head to the side and gently drip 5 to 10 drops of the solution into your ear, 1 drop at a time. Leave the solution in the ear for up to 1 hour, then flush with water.

You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days. Once the wax is loose and soft, all that is usually needed to remove it from the ear canal is a gentle, warm shower.

Hold the nozzle inside the ear (not too deeply) and GENTLY squirt the water from the bulb syringe into the ear. You can gently squirt more bulb syringes into the ear if require. Leave the water in your ear for 1-3 minutes to soften the wax.

Is hydrogen peroxide good for ear wax? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a solution (liquid) that can be used to treat ear infections or the build-up of wax. It is generally safe to use in all ears. Do not use if it irritates you or causes pain. You can buy 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide from your local chemist – no prescription is required.

You can place any of several substances into the ear canal to help soften hardened wax for easier removal. For example, commercial over-the-counter ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, and mineral oil are safe.

Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. This softens the wax so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough.

Soak a cotton ball with the hydrogen peroxide. Tilt your head and drip the peroxide into your ear. You may hear it fizz as it tries to dissolve the earwax. After about 30 seconds, drain your ear onto a washcloth.

Step 1: Always wash thoroughly with alcohol or soap and water before and after using, especially if multiple people are using these tools. Step 2: Slowly insert the scoop ear wax remover into your ear canal. Step 3: Gently scoop your ear canal wall to loosen the ear wax clinging on the wall.

Relatively safe cleaners include mineral oil and cleaning drops containing peroxide. “If you must clean your ears yourself, the least dangerous method will be with a bulb syringe and water,” says Dr. Sarow. Filling the syringe with water and squeezing it near your ear opening releases the water to flush out the wax.

You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days. Once the wax is loose and soft, all that is usually needed to remove it from the ear canal is a gentle, warm shower.

People should not poke anything into the ear to remove earwax, but gently dripping hydrogen peroxide, ear drops, or baby oil into the ear will soften the wax, which may cause it to come out. Earwax, also called cerumen, serves an essential function in the body.

Insert the drops: Carefully insert a few drops into the ear canal using a dropper or syringe. Wait: Stay still and wait about five minutes, giving the drops time to work. Drain: Tilt your head to allow the solution to drain out.