![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/3D/CA/02B1C5DA-6F30-4043-B638-9071A9D0CA3D/02B1C5DA-6F30-4043-B638-9071A9D0CA3D.jpg)
Ear piercing can be very aesthetically pleasing, and fun to buy for. Regardless of the length of time that an ear piercing has been in place, routine cleaning is a must. The following is a simple guide for cleaning pierced ears.
![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/9F/9A/60EA9B95-1B91-459D-8990-F5DAC82C9A9F/60EA9B95-1B91-459D-8990-F5DAC82C9A9F.jpg)
Wash your hands with warm water and soap before touching your ears. Dry your hands completely.
![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/12/40/610258CE-2C56-40E2-8610-E04F3D1D4012/610258CE-2C56-40E2-8610-E04F3D1D4012.jpg)
Dip a clean, un-used cotton swab or q-tip into isopropyl alcohol, or some other type of ear cleaning antiseptic. You do not have to soak the cotton swab or q-tip for very long, unless you want a lot of antiseptic on your ear.
![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/08/60/E1B38827-BA48-4F13-AC16-73A0C9B46008/E1B38827-BA48-4F13-AC16-73A0C9B46008.jpg)
Push your earring forward, towards your face, and clean between the ear and the earring. Clean around the earring post as well.
![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/E7/31/3ACE1896-0C9D-47F0-BCFF-99B1F71E31E7/3ACE1896-0C9D-47F0-BCFF-99B1F71E31E7.jpg)
Push your earring back towards your head and clean the back side of your ear between the earring and the ear. Clean around the post as well.
![...](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/s3.amazonaws.com/cme_public_images/www_ehow_com/cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/94/CE/396BE65E-EFF2-4F54-8993-CAEC467BCE94/396BE65E-EFF2-4F54-8993-CAEC467BCE94.jpg)
Let your ear air dry, and discard any used cotton swabs or q-tips.
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Tips
- Make a saline antiseptic by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt into 1 cup of warm water. You can store the solution in a new, sterile container, such as one you might purchase in the health or cosmetics section of most stores.
Warnings
- Do not clean a pierced ear with hydrogen peroxide, as it will only dry out the skin which can lead to infection. Peroxide has also been known to damage jewelry.
- If your piercing is infected and regular cleaning has not helped, you should seek medical advice. The presence of pus, occurence of swelling, or a warm ear lobe are signs of infection.
Writer Bio
Desi Crall has a B.A. in Political Science from California State University Sacramento, and is currently a graduate student of Elementary Education at the University of Phoenix. Desi has worked as a freelance writer for three years, with articles and blogs appearing on sites such as Examiner.com, Today.com, and BrightHub.com.
Photo Credits
RCalzada