Homemade Ear Cleaning Solutions

The ear is designed to be self cleaning, producing wax and moving debris out of the canal. There are times when this system fails and wax builds up or debris gets into the ear and needs to be cleaned out. Over-the-counter and prescription ear-cleaning solutions are available, but don’t waste your money. There are easy homemade solutions that work just as well.

The simplest solution for dissolving ear wax and cleaning out the ear is a mixture of warm water and baking soda. This is made by mixing a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of baking soda. This solution should be squirted into the ear canal via a bulb syringe. This solution works well for flushing the ears.

Peroxide is a great home solution for dissolving wax and cleaning out debris, fungus, or bacteria. Pour a capful of peroxide into the ear canal and keep the head tilted to the side while the peroxide bubbles up. When finished place a tissue over the ear and tilt it down to remove the peroxide.

Olive oil is great for softening hard wax that is lodged in the ear canal, and for lubricating dry, itchy ears. Take an eye dropper or small cap and pour the oil directly into the ear while tilting your head to the side. After a minute, place a tissue over the ear and tilt the other way to remove the oil.

Always be careful what you put in your ear. The ear is very sensitive to chemicals and temperature. Any solution you use in the ear needs to be body temperature or cooler and should contain only mild all-natural ingredients. Never use soaps or cleaning agents inside the ear. If you have a perforated ear drum or tubes in your ear, or have had ear surgery, you should consult a physician before using any homemade ear cleaning solution.