Wash the outer ear with a warm, damp cloth
Dry the outer ear gently with a clean towel
Let earwax move out naturally
Use over-the-counter ear drops to soften earwax if needed
Tilt your head to help drops reach the ear canal
Follow the product instructions exactly
Rinse the outer ear with warm water after softening wax, if recommended
Use a bulb syringe gently only if instructed by a healthcare professional
Keep the ear canal dry after cleaning
Avoid inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal
Avoid using hairpins, keys, or other objects in the ear
Avoid ear candling
Stop cleaning and seek medical advice if you have pain, bleeding, discharge, hearing loss, or a history of ear surgery or ear tubes