For a long time, I would use ball syringes to clean them the way the doctor does. Then, I got my first ear infection from using q-tips and I vowed never to stick anything in them again. My doctor told (i.e., gently reminded) me that ears really are self-cleaning and that the more you clean them, the more susceptible you are to infection AND it causes your body to produce more wax. I stopped cleaning them altogether-- outside of letting water run in during my shower and wiping as far in as I can with a towel and, sure enough, I don't have the problem I used to. Long story short, stop cleaning them and they will clean themselves.