How to Use Cotton Buds

Most of you will know about the dangers of putting cotton buds or q-tips into your ears, but it never goes amiss to remind you again that using such tips to clean out your ears can end up causing a perforated eardrum, or compressing wax up against it. A little bit of wax in the ear canal is actually a healthy situation, and we would encourage you to leave it there. If it is causing a problem, then by all means come in and see one of our wax team. Thankfully, we don’t see too much damage caused this way anymore, and it looks as if the message is getting through. But if you are looking for a use for your remaining cotton buds, we came across this little list of interesting uses:

• Brushing your cats teeth or eyes - cotton buds are handy for general pet face maintenance.
• Taking perfume with you on nights out – douse the ends of your cotton buds in perfume and pop them into a re-sealable bag.
• Fixing stuck zips – apply olive oil or shampoo with cotton buds to the teeth of pesky zips.
• Cleaning computer keyboards – computer keyboards harbour more germs than your average toilet seat. Dip the cotton bud in alcohol and run it up and down the crevices of your keyboard. Repulsive and satisfying in equal measure!
• Lighting camp fires – cotton buds coated in Vaseline or lip salve make great DIY fire starters. Perfect for camping – but please use responsibly.

So, there you have it. Five interesting alternative uses for your cotton buds. Whatever you use them for, remember be gentle, and be careful.