Using hydrogen peroxide in your ear can be safe to help soften earwax. But don’t use it if you have ear tubes, a perforated eardrum, or an ear infection. Hydrogen peroxide is one of several home remedies for earwax removal. Learn more about why this works, how to try it, and other treatment options. Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in ear drops, and it can help to soften and dissolve buildups of earwax. Learn more about removing earwax with hydrogen peroxide here. Shop ear care drops for wax removal, earache relief, and infection prevention. Discover multiple options for the whole family. Learn how to safely use hydrogen peroxide to soften and remove earwax at home, including how often to do it and when to see a doctor instead. For at-home wax removal, the recommended method involves tilting your head, placing a few drops of warm water, saline, or diluted hydrogen peroxide into the ear, and then staying in that position to let gravity assist with the removal. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, the standard concentration sold at drugstores, can safely soften and loosen earwax at home when used correctly. The process takes only a few minutes per ear and works by fizzing on contact with the wax, breaking it apart so it can drain naturally. In short, no. Hydrogen Peroxide is a chemical that can cause irritation, inflammation, and potentially damage the eardrum and ear-canal if not administered correctly, or if administered when an ear infection, perforated eardrum, or allergy is present. You can either mix a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution at home or buy over-the-counter (OTC) earwax softening drops (cerumenolytic agents) to help clear a buildup. Learn what hydrogen peroxide in ear canals does to wax, who should skip it entirely, and the signs that mean stop.