Ear wax is a perfectly normal part of our many bodily processes. Your ears produce cerumen, the scientific term for wax, in order to create a protective layer against bacteria and other various possible intruders. However, it’s sometimes possible for an ear to produce wax in excess, which can lead to a blockage of the hearing canal. This can create a myriad of unpleasant symptoms, including pain, ringing noises, and, most of all, just a general obstruction of your hearing. We’ve gathered the best home remedies for ear wax that will help you cleanse your ears and get rid of this problem.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
As far as home remedies for ear wax go, hydrogen peroxide is one item that you will constantly hear others recommend to you. This is because ear wax removal using this liquid substance is truly effective and it can help you gradually get rid of the blockage, no matter how great it is.
Instructions:
- Lie down on your bed on the side opposite to the affected ear.
- Using a dropper, add a few drops of the hydrogen peroxide right into your ear canal.
- You will start feeling a ticklish ‘fizzing’ sensation. This means that it’s working!
- After around 5 minutes, place a clean cloth or towel over your affected ear and turn to the other side, letting the liquid fall out.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has always been excellent for all kinds of uses, including solving various health-related issues. You can also use it to get rid of excess ear wax. But what’s really spectacular is the fact that coconut oil has certain antifungal properties which can prevent possible infections.
Instructions:
- Warm 1 tablespoon of coconut oil using either a microwave or a stove.
- Once it liquefies, check with your finger to make sure it’s not hot.
- Fill a dropper with half of that tablespoon.
- Then, tilt your head to the opposite side and pour the coconut oil inside.
- Wait for 10 minutes and then tilt your head back upwards.
- Rinse using lukewarm water and then dry off with a clean towel.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Really, what is it that apple cider vinegar can’t do? It has incredibly powerful antifungal properties that make it able to prevent infections. Furthermore, it also has compounds that drain out mucus, helping you cleanse your ear of excess wax.
Instructions:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.
- Pour the resulting solution into a dropper.
- Plug your ear with a cotton ball, lie down on your side, and then pour the mixture on top.
- Wait for a few minutes, letting the wax dissolve.
- Finally, place a washcloth over the ear and turn around, letting the fluid drain out.
4. Almond Oil
Almond oil is a natural lubricant which softens the ear wax and makes it easy for it to ‘slip’ out of your ear.
Instructions:
- Fill a dropper with almond oil at room temperature.
- Tilt your head the opposite way or lie down on the bed and then drop the oil into your ear.
- Wait for roughly 5 minutes and then press a towel over the ear.
- Turn over to the other side and let the liquid come out.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerful antiseptic which people use for many purposes, including getting rid of excess ear wax. Its properties help soften the wax, making it easier for it to slip out and leave your ears clean again.
Instructions:
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water until everything blends properly together.
- Tilt your head to the opposite side and then add a few drops using a dropper.
- Let it sit for around 10 minutes and then tilt your head back, flushing out the substance onto a towel or washcloth.
6. Baby Oil
Baby oil is a type of mineral oil which serves as one of the quickest and most effective home remedies for ear wax. Not only does it have properties which soften the wax, but it also bears a pleasant scent which will get rid of any unpleasant odor associated with ear wax blockages.
Instructions:
- Simply fill a dropper with a bit of the baby oil and then pour into your affected ear.
- Alternatively, you could also dab a cotton ball with a little bit of the oil.
- In both cases, let it sit for a few minutes before ‘flushing’ out and drying with a clean cloth or towel.
7. Saline Water
Saline water is a very powerful substitute for over-the-counter medical ear drops that your doctor might recommend. It dissolves the ear almost instantly and it will help you get rid of the wax in no time.
Instructions:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 1/2 cup of water until the salt dissolves completely.
- Using a soaked cotton ball or a dropper, pour some of the saline substance into your ear.
- Wait until it gets into the ear canal and stand still, ear facing upward toward the ceiling, for a few minutes.
- Tilt head back on top of a towel to remove excess water.
8. Olive Oil
More specifically, virgin olive oil. It has strong properties which help with the softening of the wax, making it easy for you to remove it afterward. Virgin olive oil also has antiseptic benefits, helping with the prevention of various ear infections.
Instructions:
- Warm a little bit of the olive oil in the microwave. However, make sure to check afterward that it’s not hot.
- Using a dropper or a soaked cotton ball, pour a few droplets in your affected ear, which is facing the ceiling.
- Wait for a few minutes before bringing your head back upward and removing the oil.
9. Mullein Oil
If you happen to find that a handful of mullein flowers are more accessible to you, learn that they are also part of our list of home remedies for ear wax for a reason. When combined with oil, mullein flowers soften the wax and protect your ears from bacteria with their antiseptic prowess. Together with olive oil, this can speed up the melting process of the wax. While the olive oil will soften it, mullein oil will ensure to get rid of bacteria that might gather inside.
Instructions:
- Place a handful of mullein flowers in a jar and cover with 1/2 cup of olive oil.
- For dried mullein flowers, seal the jar. For normal flowers, simply use a cheesecloth to cover.
- Heat the oil with the flowers and then strain it.
- Store in a glass bottle and put in the fridge.
- Finally, warm up the bottle in a water bath before using and then proceed as with the other types of oily home remedies for ear wax mentioned before.
10. Garlic & Olive Oil
Garlic oil is the treatment you need when your ear wax problem is more than just a stuffy ear. If you also experience pain and fear there might be the start of an infection at play, garlic way is the way to go. It has powerful antiseptic properties and characteristics that can help soothe ear pain.
Instructions:
- Add 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and cleaned, to a pot which contains 3 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil.
- Heat this mixture until the garlic cloves start turning black.
- Afterward, remove the pot from heat and then let it cool to room temperature.
- Once at room temperature, remove the cloves.
- Soak a cotton ball in the remaining oil and then pour a few drops in your ear, which is facing the ceiling.
- If your ear also hurts, gently rub the cotton ball around the affected area.
11. Glycerin
Glycerin is a common and active ingredient in ear drops which are specially made to serve as ear wax softeners. It can be the foundation for many home remedies for ear wax, but you can also use it all by itself. Glycerin is a lubricant which will help you get rid of this problem.
Instructions:
- Combine a few drops of glycerin with 1 teaspoon of water.
- Fill a dropper with the substance and then pour inside of your ear until it reaches down the ear canal.
- Stand still for about 5 minutes and then tilt your head back, keeping a towel or washcloth against your ear.
12. Paraffin Oil
Once again, our list of home remedies for ear wax keeps growing bigger and it seems oils are a common element. Paraffin oil, like the others on this list, serves as a lubricant that will soften the ear wax and make it easier to remove from the inside of your ear.
Instructions:
- Warm up a bit of paraffin oil, just enough to be able to fill a dropper.
- Tilt your head to the opposing side of the affected ear and then pour in a few drops of the oil.
- Afterwards, tilt your head back and then flush out the remaining oil with warm water.
Conclusion
Sadly, there aren’t really too many methods through which you can prevent the accumulation of ear wax in excess, something that might lead to a blockage of the ear canal. But if that does happen, do not fret. You have all of these excellent home remedies for ear wax to help you get rid of this problem in a natural, painless, and cheap way. Therefore, if you don’t feel the obstruction is that great and if you don’t experience pain, try giving these treatments a shot first. But if it’s not working, it’s mandatory to schedule a doctor’s appointment.
Leave a Reply