How do I remove earwax safely at home?

Use softening drops — olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops from a pharmacy — two to three times a day for several days to a couple of weeks. The wax often softens and works its way out naturally. Lie with the affected ear up when applying drops.

Why shouldn't I use cotton buds?

Cotton buds push wax deeper and compact it against the eardrum, making blockage worse and risking damage. The same goes for hair grips, fingers and anything else — nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear, as the saying goes.

No. Ear candling has no evidence of benefit and carries real risks, including burns and eardrum injury. It is best avoided entirely.

What if drops don't clear the blockage?

An ear-care service, some pharmacies, or your GP practice can remove stubborn wax safely — usually with microsuction or water irrigation, after the wax has been softened with drops.

Earwax build-up | HealthAnswers

Quick answer

What is earwax build-up?

Earwax is normal and protective, but a build-up can block the ear, causing dulled hearing, fullness or earache. Olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops over a few days to weeks often soften and clear it. Never use cotton buds or ear candles — they make things worse.

Why earwax matters

Earwax is not dirt — it is the ear’s own cleaning and protection system, trapping dust and moving debris outwards. Most ears manage it perfectly. A problem only arises when wax builds up faster than it clears and blocks the canal.

Symptoms of a build-up

A blocked ear can cause:

dulled or muffled hearing
a feeling of fullness or pressure
earache
ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)
occasionally dizziness

Safe removal at home

The first step is softening drops — olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops from a pharmacy — applied two or three times a day, lying with the affected ear upwards. Over several days to a few weeks, the softened wax often works its way out on its own.

Two things to firmly avoid: cotton buds (and anything else poked into the ear), which compact wax deeper and risk damaging the eardrum; and ear candles, which have no evidence of benefit and can cause burns.

When you need help removing it

If drops have not cleared things after three or four weeks, or hearing stays dulled, wax can be removed safely by professionals — typically with gentle microsuction or water irrigation through an ear-care service, some pharmacies, or your GP practice. If you have a perforated eardrum, get advice before using any drops.

See a GP promptly for ear pain with discharge or fever, or any sudden hearing loss — those need assessment rather than wax treatment.

Common questions

How do I remove earwax safely at home?: Use softening drops — olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops from a pharmacy — two to three times a day for several days to a couple of weeks. The wax often softens and works its way out naturally. Lie with the affected ear up when applying drops.
Why shouldn't I use cotton buds?: Cotton buds push wax deeper and compact it against the eardrum, making blockage worse and risking damage. The same goes for hair grips, fingers and anything else — nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear, as the saying goes.
Do ear candles work?: No. Ear candling has no evidence of benefit and carries real risks, including burns and eardrum injury. It is best avoided entirely.
What if drops don't clear the blockage?: An ear-care service, some pharmacies, or your GP practice can remove stubborn wax safely — usually with microsuction or water irrigation, after the wax has been softened with drops.

Sources

NHS — Earwax build-up