Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Wax Removal: What To Know

Ear wax—called cerumen—is a natural, protective substance in the ears. Though the ears will naturally clean out the wax, people sometimes want or need to remove ear wax.

They may try to clean their ears in other ways, like using a cotton swab, which is not recommended, or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal can be safe if diluted, used in small amounts, and allowed to sit in the ear for a short time. Here's what you need to know.

How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide

One person went viral on TikTok in August 2021 for using hydrogen peroxide to clean out their ears. Ayisha Friedman-Negrín (@ayishafrita) racked up millions of likes for demonstrating what they described as "how to properly clean ur ears."

In the video, Friedman-Negrín laid their head down on a towel with one ear facing up, put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in their ear, and waited momentarily. "It's going to just bubble in there," said Friedman-Negrín. "It basically is just separating all the earwax, and then I'm going to flip, and it's all going to come out."

Friedman-Negrín waited until "the sizzling has calmed down"—which meant decreased bubbling—and then did exactly as previously explained. They covered the exposed ear with a towel, flipped their head over, and let the earwax drain.

How Can You Safely Use Hydrogen Peroxide?

For individuals who have healthy ears and want to try this hack, John Dobrowski, MD, an ear, nose, and throat physician at Mass Eye and Ear and instructor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery—at Harvard Medical School, told Health the following:

• Create a mixture that's half hydrogen peroxide and half water so it's less abrasive on your ears. Make sure the solution is close to body temperature or else it could make you dizzy.
• Then, use a dropper or gently pour a little into your ear.
• Let it sit for about 10 seconds, then flop your head over to let it drain, added Dr. Shapiro.

In this case, the aftercare is just as important as the process: "If used, the ear needs to be thoroughly dried afterward," said Dr. Dobrowski. "A damp environment can potentially lead to otomycosis or fungal infections in the ear canal."

How Often To Remove Earwax

If you rarely or never clean your ears, that's fine. Unless you're having trouble hearing or are bothered by your earwax, there's really no need to clean your ears, Scott B. Shapiro, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, told Health.

For most people, earwax will either ooze or fall out of your ear over time or wash away in the shower, Erin McNeely, MD, an internal medicine physician at Spectrum Health, told Health. "Your ears basically do self-cleaning," said Dr. McNeely. Your ear wax works to stop dust, germs, and small objects from damaging your ear and protect the delicate skin in your ear canal.

Risks and Safety Tips

You shouldn't do this if you have any issues like an infection, pain, or a perforated eardrum, said Dr. McNeely—it could make things worse. For example, if you have a perforated eardrum, the ear must remain dry during the healing process.

Hydrogen peroxide can also affect your skin. "Regular strength hydrogen peroxide can irritate your ear canal skin and eardrum," said Dr. Shapiro.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Sometimes, you may be unable to resolve ear wax cleaning independently. Other than having the inability to remove blocked wax, see a healthcare provider if you have blocked ear wax and experience the following:

• Ear drainage or pain
• Fever
• Hearing loss that persists after an ear wax cleaning

Also, if you feel like you need to clean out your ears regularly, Dr. Dobrowski suggested checking in with an ear, nose, and throat specialist called an otolaryngologist.

"The otolaryngologist can take a look in the ear and prescribe lotion, drops, or steroid oil to minimize crusting and flaking that may be present in the patient's ear," said Dr. Dobrowski. "The ears are very sensitive, and the more you do to them—such as cleaning them excessively at home—the more problems you may experience with the ears."

A Quick Review

You can use a diluted mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water to clean your ears out, but it's unnecessary. The ears tend to keep themselves clean. Contact a healthcare provider if you're constantly tending to your ears.