Use a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or over-the-counter earwax drops to soften the wax
Tilt your head and let the drops sit for a few minutes
Gently rinse the ear with warm water using a bulb syringe
Let the water drain out by tilting your head
Dry the outer ear with a clean towel
Repeat for a few days if needed
Use a warm, damp cloth to clean only the outer ear
See a doctor if the wax is impacted, painful, or causing hearing loss
Avoid cotton swabs, hairpins, or other objects in the ear
Avoid ear candles
Seek medical help if you have ear drainage, severe pain, dizziness, or a history of ear surgery or a perforated eardrum