Wipe with a damp washcloth: This is the safest and best method of all. You can't really get inside your ear canal with your ...

This practice can lead to muffling and hearing loss. In fact, Q-Tip, the leading brand of cotton swabs, advises: “Do not insert swab into ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury.

This practice can lead to muffling and hearing loss. In fact, Q-Tip, the leading brand of cotton swabs, advises: “Do not insert swab into ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury.