The Best Ways to Loosen and Unclog Ear Wax: Massage, Home Remedies, & More

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Monica Kieu, DO, FACS and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree (DO), with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LA’s Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 90,387 times.

Ear wax is part of our body’s natural defense system—but what happens when there’s too much of it? Stubborn ear wax can be annoying, and in some cases, can even affect your hearing. That’s why in this article, we’ll give you the best methods for removing ear wax, including massage, home remedies, and medical treatments. To get rid of pesky ear wax safely, read on!

Things You Should Know

• Massage ear wax out by lightly rubbing the base of your ear. Go in slow, circular motions while opening and closing your mouth.
• Try other home remedies to remove ear wax, like oil, warm water, or hydrogen peroxide.
• If all else fails, get prescription ear drops from your doctor or have your doctor clean out your ears for you.

Steps

1. Lightly rub your outer ear to work ear wax loose. Tip your head to the side and press your finger up against the base of your ear. Push in slow, circular motions to loosen the ear wax and dislodge it from your ear canal.[1] X Research source Pull on your earlobe while slowly opening and closing your mouth to work the ear wax out.
   • Massaging your ear works best when you combine it with other methods, like ear drops or warm water.
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1. Use natural oils to soften the wax inside your ear. Tip your head over and drop 1 to 2 drops of oil, like baby oil or olive oil, into your ear. Gently massage your outer ear to work the oil into the wax and loosen it up.[2] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
   • As you straighten your head back up, some oil may run out of your ear. Use a rag to catch any excess oil and wipe it away.
   • Try using oil for 2 to 3 days at a time until the wax is soft enough to come out.

1. Warm water can break down and flush out ear wax. Fill a bulb syringe up with warm water, then squeeze the water gently into your ear. Tilt your head and pull your earlobe up and back to open up your ear canal. Then, tip your head to the side and let the water drain out.[3] X Research source
   • Try irrigating with warm water 2 or 3 times if your ears still feel clogged.
   • If plain water isn’t working well, try making a saline solution by mixing salt and water.
   • Or, get a washcloth wet with warm water and hold it against your outer ear for 5 to 10 minutes. The heat from the warm water will loosen up the wax and help dislodge it from your ear.
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1. Over-the-counter ear drop kits remove ear wax safely. Purchase an ear wax removal kit, and put 1 to 2 drops of the ear drops into your ear. Tilt your head to keep the drops in your ear canal for about 1 minute, then let the drops drain out. Use the ear wax kit for 2 to 3 days, or until your ears aren’t clogged anymore.[4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
   • Experts recommend ear wax kits like Debrox.[5] X Expert Source Payam Daneshrad, MDBoard Certified Otolaryngologist Expert Interview

1. Use hydrogen peroxide to break down ear wax. With an eye dropper, drop 1 to 2 drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. Massage your ear gently, then tip your head over and let the peroxide drain out. Then, flush your ear canal with warm water.[6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
   • Hydrogen peroxide can cause mild skin irritation or redness. If you feel any itching or burning, stop and rinse your ear out right away.
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1. Ask your doctor to prescribe you with stronger ear drops. If you’ve tried home remedies and they aren’t working after a few days, ask for a prescription from your doctor. Then, you can pick up ear drops for ear wax removal from your local pharmacy.[7] X Research source
   • These medical-grade ear wax drops are still safe for your ears. All they do is soften the wax to let it fall out naturally.

1. Have your doctor clean out your ears as a last resort. Sometimes, stubborn ear wax builds up so much that home remedies aren’t effective. If that’s the case, head to your doctor and ask them to clean out your ears. They’ll do so with either a water pick or a metal extraction tool to safely remove ear wax without damaging your ears.[8] X Research source
   • If you think your ear may be infected, skip the home remedies and go straight to your doctor. They will assess your symptoms and see what kind of treatment you need.
   • If your child’s ear has too much wax, take them to their pediatrician.[9] X Expert Source Joel Warsh, MDBoard Certified Pediatrician Expert Interview
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Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

• Wax is an important part of our body’s defense system against bacteria. While too much wax is annoying, it’s important to have at least a little bit of wax in your ears at all times.[10] X Expert Source Monica Kieu, DO, FACSBoard Certified Otolaryngologist Expert Interview Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Warnings

• Never use cotton swabs (Q-tips) or other small objects to remove ear wax from your ear. Objects like these can push ear wax further into your ear canal, which can damage your ear drum.[11] X Expert Source Monica Kieu, DO, FACSBoard Certified Otolaryngologist Expert Interview Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about ear care, check out our in-depth interview with Monica Kieu, DO, FACS.

References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyVkxjotjUM&t=101s
2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/
3. ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh2941
4. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ear-wax-removal-101-the-best-and-safest-ways-to-clear-clogged-ears
5. ↑ Payam Daneshrad, MD. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview
6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ear-wax-removal-101-the-best-and-safest-ways-to-clear-clogged-ears
7. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ear-wax
8. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ear-wax
9. ↑ Joel Warsh, MD. Board Certified Pediatrician. Expert Interview

10. ↑ Monica Kieu, DO, FACS. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview
11. ↑ Monica Kieu, DO, FACS. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview

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Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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