Cleaning your ears safely mainly involves cleaning the outer ear and using gentle methods to soften and remove wax if needed. Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal, and seek professional care if you have symptoms like pain, drainage, hearing loss that doesn’t improve, or a perforated eardrum. Direct answer

• Don’t put cotton swabs, hairpins, coins, or any small objects into your ear canal. These can push wax deeper, scratch the skin, or injure the eardrum.
• For the outer ear: you can wipe the visible part with a warm, damp washcloth or tissue. Do not scrub inside the ear canal.
• Softening wax at home (optional, if advised by a clinician): place a few drops of a safe oil or ear drops into the ear to soften wax. Common options include mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or carbamide peroxide-based drops, following the product instructions and any physician guidance.
• Rinsing the ear (if recommended by a clinician): after softening, some people use a bulb syringe with warm (body-temperature) saline or water to gently irrigate the ear canal. Do not attempt irrigation if you have diabetes, a compromised immune system, a history of ear drum perforation, inner ear problems, or a history of ear surgery without medical supervision.
• When to see a professional: if there is ear pain, discharge, hearing loss that persists, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, a history of ear conditions, or if you’ve recently had ear surgery.

Evidence-backed cautions

• Do not use at-home ear candles; they’re ineffective and can cause burns or perforation. This approach is discouraged by major health sources.
• Avoid “ear irrigation kits” or suction devices without professional instruction if there is any risk of eardrum problems or infection.

If you’d like, share your symptoms (pain, fullness, discharge, hearing changes) and any history of ear problems, and a tailored step-by-step plan can be provided.