Cotton buds - the best or worst invention?

I use cotton buds and used to use them for cleaning my ears but not now as once I did and it pushed the wax to my eardrum and my ear got infected, now I use them for other things and find they come in really useful so think they are a good invention..littleowl

I use them to clean nail polish off my finger and toenails. I don't use them in my ears. They can cause impacted ear wax. My husband has had to flush out ear wax that people have pushed back against their ear drums numerous times. We have these little loop things to clean our ears with.

Q-tips? I literally couldn't do without them I use them everyday and think they were a great invention..they come in handy for various things like craft projects,make up applicators and much more as for the ears I use them for that also but you just gotta use them right and keep them up for children can't get hold of them.

I am guilty of probing! Yes I have used cotton buds for most of my life and yes I have inserted them right into the ear to clean them out, effective and I find them very very useful and I am aware of the dangers of too much probing, but I've always been careful and my hearing has never been affected, how else would you be able to clear the gungy wax in your ears without this great invention? Use your fingers?

I'm using cotton buds because I can't see a better option. Don't the medical experts tell us also what we should be doing to clean our years?

I seldom use at as they say it can damage the ears, they say that it could push the ear dirts more and the proper way to use it is only on the outside of the ear in some case though, cotton buds are helpful, like when you are applying an ointment in a wound, it is easier to use cotton buds.

i think the cotton buds are one of the best inventions which are used to clean ur ears.i think if u use it in a proper way there no harm to ur ears

Hi Ronaldinu, I use them but only to clean the outer section of the ear and also to use for taking any splodges of mascara off from under the eye but they are not an essential in my bathroom really at all. I did use to use them for cleaning the childrens belly buttons when they were babies so I guess I would go with great invention. Huggles. Ellie :D

i know they say they aren't good to use but sometimes i do. i don't use them everyday but when i need to i do. if they are so bad looks like they'd make them quit making them.

i think cotton buds is not bad thing if we use it properly.cotton buds was the first thing invented to clean the ears and now the new generation invented spray.yes we are using it because what we have experienced it is a proper way to clean the ears than the spray.

I use them but very carefully. I know if you aren't careful it can hurt you. I also use them for many things around the house, like cleaning the mouse ball, or any other tight space.

I think you are supposed to use them on the outer parts of the ear and not inside the ear becasue they could leave deposits in your ears. I use the off-brand ones for this reason. They aren't as fuzzy as the name brands. Personally I use them around the house for cleaning things too!

No invention is bad or good dear friend, it is we how we use, a knife can be used to cut vegetables or some bodys neck cotton buds are good to clean ears, but each time it must be nes and for each ear if not infection in one ear may go to second lol.. yes we use them as i said, always the best in the market.. Thanks for sharing Cheers. God bless you, have a nice day ahead. Professor ‘Bhuwan’. .

No invention is bad or good dear friend, it is we how we use, a knife can be used to cut vegetables or some bodys neck cotton buds are good to clean ears, but each time it must be nes and for each ear if not infection in one ear may go to second lol.. yes we use them as i said, always the best in the market.. Thanks for sharing Cheers. God bless you, have a nice day ahead. Professor ‘Bhuwan’. .

I think anything can be used in good or bad way. if its used properly, i do not think it will damage the ear. but used in wrong way can damamge

I do not use them to clean my ears. If I have to remove some dirt from some part of my body or nailpolish, I will use them.

If I do not clean my ears after every shower I take my ears will itch horribly. I use cotton swabs every day. People just need to learn to be very careful so they do not poke their ear drums to badly. I have done it a few times in my life but not often. I clean my childrens ears for them so that wont happen. My daughter is 6 1/2 and I wont let her clean her own ears yet.

I use them every day. Sometimes I use them twice a day. As long as you are careful when you are using them it is not really a problem I don't think. I would go crazy without my cotton swabs to clean out my ears.

Hi ronaldinu, Yes while cotton buds are bad for us to us, so why is it been still sold? people will still use it as its the easiest thing to use and as long as you clean your ears with and not poke it in your ears is fine, that is what I do,(not poke it in my ears) Tamara

Hello ronaldinu Hmmm well yes I do use them but more for absorbing the water after taking a shower rather than to poke down into my ear causing any damage. They are good for lots of other things though not just for ear cleaning!