How to properly wash your ear plugs (and why it's important)!

You’re probably looking at this thinking you already know how to clean your ear plugs, but it may surprise you to know that improper care of your hearing protection can lead to permanent damage. Yes, even if you’ve been wearing the same pair for years! This article will explain how to wash your ear plugs and why it’s important to take proper care of them in order to prevent ear drum damage and other negative side effects.


How to Wash Ear Plugs

If you're the type of person who can't go a week without wearing their ear plugs, there are a few things you need to know about how to take care of them. Take these steps for properly caring for and washing your earplugs: 

  1. Keep them clean! 2. Store them in a cool, dry place 3. Throw away old or expired pairs 4. Keep them from getting tangled with other items 5. Never use hair conditioner on your earplugs - this will soften the silicone and make them less effective 6. Clean them with soap and water before each use 7. Clean thoroughly after each use by submerging in warm water with soap or alcohol-free sanitizer

Use Soap To Wash Ear Plugs

First, you'll want to make sure the water is at a lukewarm temperature and that the pot you're using is deep enough so that your ear plugs don't touch anything on their way down. Next, put a small amount of liquid soap in the pot and then add water. Swirl the water around with both hands in order to create bubbles. Finally, drop an ear plug into the soapy solution and swirl it around for a few seconds before removing it from the pot with tongs or a slotted spoon. Your newly clean ear plug should now be rinsed off under cool running water until all of the soap residue has been removed from its surface.


Why Is Washing So Important?

Ear plugs are a great way of blocking out sounds and noise, but they can also block dirt, dust and even bacteria from reaching your ears. When you don't clean them often enough, these particles can get inside the plug, leading to things like wax build-up, dry skin on the outer part of the ear canal or even an infection. To prevent this, make sure you're following these four steps!

1) Soak in water with a drop of soap for at least five minutes before washing them 

2) Rinse with warm water 

3) Gently squeeze out any excess water 

4) Allow them to air dry

What Are The Dangers of Not Washing?

There are a number of dangers associated with not washing your earplugs. The first, is that when you wear dirty, bacteria-infested earplugs for too long, there is the risk of spreading those nasty germs to other people. The second danger is that if the earplugs have been in contact with water or oil and then stored without drying them off before being put away, they can grow mold. Mold can be dangerous because any time you insert an item into your body like an uncooked food item or object into your nose or mouth without sterilizing it first, there is a risk of infection.

Dry Ear Plug Properly After Wash

  1. Allow the ear plugs to air dry completely before storing them. 
  2. Add a few drops of water and mild soap onto the kitchen sponge and gently rub the surface of the plug until you see lather form on both surfaces of the plug. 
  3. Gently cleanse each side by rubbing them in circular motions. 
  4. Rinse off any soap residue with warm water, and allow the plug to air dry completely before storing them away for future use!