A cleaner wax is essentially a normal finishing wax that has had abrasives and cleaning agents added to it to help it polish away surface defects and remove paint defects. He concluded that both could cause damage to the ears and he had serious safety concerns about their use by the public, especially given the the inadequate guidance on safe use.

People of Caucasian or African descent are more likely to have wet earwax, while people with Asian ancestry are liable to have dry earwax. If you would prefer to apply a certain paint sealant or a product like a ceramic coating, you not want to use a cleaner wax and should use a polish instead.Ear irrigation with an electronic irrigator – this flushes the wax out with water at low pressure: it's much safer and more effective than previous syringing methods because it maintains a set pressure as it pumps the water into your ear. It needs to go on with a sponge applicator, which isn’t included, left for 30 minutes, then buffed with a microfibre cloth, which is supplied. A 2022 RNID survey found that people are using all sorts of risky methods to remove ear wax, including hairgrips, paperclips and toothpicks. Although they may look safe and perfect for your ears, cotton swabs are too small to be used safely inside the ear and could cause damage.

In this case, cleaner waxes may have the benefit of less time spent detailing, but combining the ‘prep’ and ‘protect’ steps yields noticeably lackluster results (comparatively speaking). Nguyen-Huynh says you should doubly stay away from this method: These candles don’t work, and they may burn you. The WM2 is also made from a super soft microfibre that's designed to lather up a shampoo more effectively and features an internal foam core to keep the mitt wetter and lubricated for longer. If you have any concerns or have noticed a change in your hearing, book a free hearing health check with one of our trained professionals, who will be happy to help. It helps keep our ears healthy and clean; it stops the skin that lines our ear canal from drying and cracking and protects the ear by trapping dirt and repelling water so it helps to prevent infections.If, along with flaky earwax, you are experiencing any itching or inflammation in your ear, do consult your GP, who will determine whether or not you need treatment.

You may find it easier to do this first thing in the morning, and again just before you go to sleep. The NHS recommends using a dropper while lying your head on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal.

If you’re tempted to dig around in your ear with these or other poking devices, such as drills, spades, twiddly gadgets you found online or even your fingers – think again.