Quick answer
To clean a baby's ears, wipe only the outer ear with a clean, damp cloth and never put anything into the ear canal, including cotton buds. NHS children's services give the same advice for older children: earwax is normal and protective, and cleaning the outside is enough. For older children, an adult can lift wax that is clearly visible at the ear opening, but should never go deeper. If a child has ear pain, discharge or seems to be hearing less, see a GP or pharmacist rather than trying to clean it away.
If you are a parent, the sight of wax in your child's ear can make you want to fix it straight away. Take a breath. Children's ears need less care than most people expect, and the safest routine is also the simplest. Here is how to do it well, and how to know when something needs more than a wipe.
Is wax in a baby's or child's ear normal?
Yes. Earwax is made in the outer part of the ear canal and helps protect and clean it. NHS children's services describe wax as a sign of a healthy ear, part of the ear's own self-cleaning process, and say it should only be removed if a specialist recommends it. The NHS also says earwax usually falls out on its own. If you want the full picture, we explain why we have earwax in a separate guide.
So the goal is not a spotless ear. It is keeping the outside tidy and leaving the inside alone.
How to clean a baby's ears
The advice from NHS children's services is refreshingly short: wipe the outside of the ear with a clean face cloth, and do not put anything down the ear canal.
- Dampen a soft, clean cloth or flannel with warm water.
- Gently wipe around the outer ear and the fold behind it.
- Pat dry with a soft towel.
- Stop there. Do not chase wax you cannot see.
Bath time is a convenient moment, since it becomes part of the routine and any wax at the opening is softer. There is no need to do it every day.
What not to use
The NHS is clear that you should not use fingers or objects such as cotton buds to remove earwax, because this pushes it in and makes it worse. With babies and toddlers there is an extra problem: they wriggle, and a sudden movement while something is in the ear is exactly how injuries happen. NHS children's services add that cotton buds can push wax further down and may damage the eardrum.
Also skip these for children unless a professional has advised them:
- Ear candles. The NHS says there is no evidence they get rid of earwax. Our guide to whether ear candles work explains the risks.
- Home syringes, irrigation kits and ear vacuums.
- Ear drops. NHS children's services say to avoid drops if a child has a perforated eardrum, a recent ear infection or discharge, so check with a pharmacist or GP first.
Older children: how adult supervision fits in
Once a child is old enough to sit still and tell you if something is uncomfortable, the routine is the same: a damp cloth on the outside of the ear after a bath or shower. If there is wax you can clearly see sitting at the opening of the ear and it bothers you, an adult can lift it away gently.
That is where a soft, sticky ear cleaner can fit. The Meravie Sticky Ear Cleaner is for adults, and for children with adult supervision, and only on visible wax at the outer ear. It is not intended for babies or toddlers. For a child, that means:
- An adult holds and controls the cleaner, or is right beside an older child using it.
- Good light, a still child and a calm moment. If they squirm, stop and try another day.
- Outer ear only. Never push it into the canal, and never chase wax you cannot see.
- Stop straight away if there is any discomfort, and do not try again.
- Rinse and dry it afterwards, as in our step-by-step guide.
If a child has grommets (ear tubes), has had ear surgery, or has been told they have a perforated eardrum, do not use it. Ask their doctor or audiologist what is suitable.
When a wipe is not enough
Wipe-and-leave covers almost every day. These situations are different, and the ear needs looking at rather than cleaning.
| What you notice | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wax visible at the opening | Normal wax moving out | Wipe the outside; leave the rest |
| Child seems to hear less or asks "what?" a lot | Could be wax, fluid or something else | See a GP; do not assume it is wax |
| Rubbing or pulling at the ear, irritability, poor appetite | Possible ear infection | Speak to a pharmacist or GP; call 111 for advice if under 5 |
| Discharge or blood from the ear | Needs a proper check | Speak to a GP promptly |
| A cotton bud or object stuck in the ear | Do not try to remove it | Get medical help |
The NHS ear infections page lists rubbing or pulling the ear, not responding to certain sounds, irritability, loss of appetite and balance problems among the signs in babies and young children. It advises getting an urgent GP appointment or calling 111 if a child has ear infection symptoms along with signs such as a very high temperature, swelling around the ear, fluid coming from the ear, or new hearing loss. A baby under 12 months with earache in both ears also needs urgent advice.
Safety first
Never put anything into a child's ear canal. If your child has ear pain, discharge, a perforated eardrum, grommets or has had ear surgery, do not use any ear-cleaning tool and speak to a GP, pharmacist or audiologist.
A simple routine that works
- Wipe the outer ears with a damp cloth at bath time when needed.
- Ignore what you cannot see.
- If visible wax at the opening bothers you and your child is old enough to stay still, an adult can lift it with a soft cleaner, outer ear only.
- Ask for help, not more tools, if there is pain, discharge, a blocked feeling or any worry about hearing.
For grown-ups in the house, our guide on how often you should clean your ears makes the same point: less is usually more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use cotton buds to clean my baby's ears?
No. The NHS advises against using cotton buds or fingers in the ear, as they push wax in. Wipe the outside of the ear with a damp cloth and leave the canal alone.
Is it normal for my child to have a lot of earwax?
Wax varies a lot from child to child, and most of it is normal. If your child seems to hear less, has ear pain or you can see a wax plug causing symptoms, ask a GP or pharmacist rather than trying to remove it yourself.
Can children use a sticky ear cleaner?
The Meravie Sticky Ear Cleaner is for adults, and for children with adult supervision, on visible wax at the outer ear only. It is not intended for babies or toddlers, and it should never go into the ear canal.
How often should I clean my child's ears?
Not often. Wiping the outer ear at bath time is plenty, and there is no need to do anything about wax you cannot see.
What should I do if my child's ear looks blocked?
Do not try to dig it out. Ask a pharmacist or GP for advice. Fluid, infection or wax can all cause a blocked feeling, and each is handled differently.
The Meravie Sticky Ear Cleaner is a consumer ear-care product for adults, and for children with adult supervision, made for visible wax on the outer ear only. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat impacted earwax, ear infections or hearing loss. If you have ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, a perforated eardrum, grommets or have had ear surgery, speak to your GP, pharmacist or audiologist.