Washing Your Electric Vehicle at Home Tips and Techniques for a Safe Clean

Tips for Cleaning Your Ears Safely

You can clean your ears at home with a damp washcloth or over-the-counter drops. If your ears are impacted, a doctor can remove wax buildup.

Do your ears feel blocked up? Excess wax can accumulate sometimes and make hearing difficult.

At the same time, youve probably read that using cotton swabs isnt a safe way to remove the wax. Here are some tips on how to safely clean your ears, what not to do, and when you should contact a doctor.

Earwax, or cerumen, is a self-cleaning agent your body produces. It collects dirt, bacteria, and other debris. Usually, the wax works its way out of the ears naturally through chewing and other jaw motions.

Many people never need to clean their ears. Sometimes, though, wax can build up and affect your hearing. When earwax reaches this level, its called impaction.

If you have impaction, you may experience symptoms like:

You may be more likely to develop excess wax if you use hearing aids or earplugs. Older adults and people with developmental disabilities are also at higher risk. Your ear canals shape may make the natural removal of wax difficult.

The safest way to remove wax buildup from your ears is to visit a doctor. At your appointment, your doctor can use special instruments, like a cerumen spoon, forceps, or suction device, to clear the blockage. Many offices also offer professional irrigation.

If you choose to try to remove wax at home, the following are the safest methods to try on your own:

Damp cloth

Cotton swabs may push wax deeper into the ear canal. Use cotton swabs only on the outside of your ear or, better yet, try wiping the area with a warm, damp washcloth.

Over-the-counter ear cleaning drops

Many pharmacies sell over-the-counter (OTC) eardrops that soften wax. These drops are typically a solution. They may contain:

Place the specified number of drops into your ear, wait a certain amount of time, and then drain or rinse out your ear. Always follow the instructions on the package. Contact a doctor if your symptoms continue after treatment.

Bulb syringe

You may also choose to irrigate your ears using a syringe. In this process, youll gently rinse out the ear canal using water or a saline solution. This method is often more effective if you first use some type of wax softener 15 to 30 minutes before irrigating.

Its best to warm the solution to your body temperature to avoid dizziness.

Some earwax is completely normal and good to have in your ear canals. That said, if it builds up and starts causing symptoms, like muffled hearing or dizziness, its important you clean it out.

When earwax builds and gets impacted, you may develop ear infection. Additionally, if youre experiencing symptoms of impaction, you want to be sure its just wax and not something (like fluid or hearing loss) that requires more medical attention.

You dont want to clean your ears too often. Doing so may irritate your ear canal or even lead to more impaction if done incorrectly.

Experts share that people may not need to clean their ears unless they develop issues like blockages regularly. Instead, your ears clean themselves on their own.

If you dont deal with buildup, wash only the outer part of your ears by wiping them with a wet washcloth. Washing the outer ear should clean away any wax that has moved out of the ear canal on its own.

If you experience symptoms of wax buildup, you might consider using an OTC kit to clean wax from your ears. Follow the package directions and be sure to contact a doctor for further guidance.

A doctor can also tell you whether you should have your ears cleaned professionally or do it on your own. Some people, like those with holes in their eardrums or tubes, should not clean their ears at home using OTC kits or other home methods.

Many people dont need to clean their ears routinely. The wax should take care of itself. If youre using small items, like bobby pins, cotton swabs, or napkin corners, you may push the wax deep into the ear canal. Once wax builds up, it can become impacted.

The rule youll hear from most doctors is to not put anything smaller than your elbow inside of your ear. In other words, dont use sharp objects, cotton swabs, or anything else that could potentially injure your eardrum and permanently damage your hearing.

You shouldnt attempt to irrigate your ears if:

Ear candles are another option you should avoid. The long, cone-shaped candles are inserted into the ear canal and then lit on fire to draw wax upward with suction. The fire can injure you, or you can accidentally get wax from the candle inside of your ear.

If you develop a blockage and dont treat it, your symptoms can get worse. You may develop further ear irritation and even hearing loss. The wax may also accumulate to such a level that it may become difficult for your doctor to see inside of your ear and diagnose other issues.

The symptoms of earwax blockage include:

• feelings of fullness in the ear
• reduced or muffled hearing
• an earache

They may also signal another medical problem, like an infection. A doctor can look inside of your ears to determine whether your symptoms stem from wax buildup or something else.

The signs of ear infection in adults include:

• pain in the middle ear
• fluid drainage
• impaired hearing

Ear infection symptoms typically develop rapidly. If you notice pain and drainage from your ears, dont try to treat it on your own. Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, medication.

If you experience earwax impaction more than once per year or have certain risk factors, tell the doctor. You may want to schedule routine professional cleanings every 6 to 12 months.

Earwax may seem dirty to you, but its actually a natural cleanser for your ears. Wax generally moves from the inside of your ear canal to the outer part of your ear. Along its journey, it picks up dead skin cells, dirt, and even hair.

Tests show that wax may boast antibacterial and antifungal qualities that aid even more with this cleanup act.

Beyond keeping your ears clean, follow these tips to protect them and ensure good hearing for years to come:

• Dont insert small objects into your ears. You shouldnt put anything smaller than your elbow inside of your ear canal because it can cause injury to your eardrum or wax impaction.
• Limit your exposure to loud noises. Wear protective headgear or earplugs when the noise gets too loud.
• Take periodic breaks from using your headphones, and keep the volume low enough that no one else can hear your music. Dont raise the volume in your cars sound system up too high.
• Dry out your ears after swimming to prevent swimmers ear. Use a cloth to wipe the outside of the ear, and tilt your head to help remove any additional water.
• Pay attention to any hearing changes that occur with the use of certain medications. If you notice changes, balance issues, or ringing in your ears, contact a doctor.
• See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice sudden pain, a loss of hearing, or if you have an ear injury.

How to Power Wash Your House

Your home's exterior is exposed to sun, wind, pollutants, dirt, and even bugs and animals. These elements take their toll: Over time, you'll notice that your siding, deck, or driveway has become discolored or damaged. Luckily, there's a solution. Power washing your house is an easy way to boost its curb appeal, prime surfaces for painting, prevent damage, and bring the faade back to its original glory. To help you do just that, we asked Lowes Project Expert Hunter Macfarlane and Brian Manke, the product manager at Stihl, to share exactly how to power wash your house.

Understand how to choose the correct power-washer.

Few household tasks are as satisfying as brandishing a powerful spray nozzle to quickly blast away dirt and deep-clean your exterior walls, deck, and driveway. Start by considering the project at hand, says Manke. If there's minimal buildupor you're washing wood, which can get etched by a jet that's too strongchoose an electric model with a PSI (pounds per square inch) of around 2,000. To remove more set-in stains or mold, or tackle an entire house, go with a gas-fueled type with a PSI of 2,500 to 3,000.

Purchase your tools.

You may think that you need to hire a professional to power wash your houseand depending on the size of the job, you might want to do sobut Macfarlane assures us that this is a task most homeowners can tackle. To get started, here's what you'll need: a pressure washer, a hose, detergent, and drop cloths. Protective gear is critical, too, says Manke, who advises wearing nonslip work boots and safety goggles (debris can ricochet); if your machine is gas-powered, pop in earplugs to muffle the noise. Whether you decide to purchase or rent the necessary equipment (that's an option, too!), carefully read the documentation that comes with your machinery. "Take the time to learn how to set up your machine and how to select the correct spray pattern," Macfarlane says. "Settings often vary by detergent application or high-pressure cleaning."

Check your paint type.

Before you begin power washing, avoid a potential health risk by checking that your exterior is not covered in lead paint; applying forceful pressure can break up and spread pieces of this paint, which would be be harmful to your family. If you think your home might have a lead-based paint, Macfarlane recommends buying a test kit or working hiring a professional for an inspection.

Do the prep work.

Prep your work area by making sure all doors and windows are closed; it's also important to turn off the power to external electrical outlets, which should be covered with tape and plastic. Trim back plants and shrubbery that might get in the way, too. "Once you've prepped the area, start by testing the high-pressure spray on an inconspicuous spot to make sure the setting does not damage the exterior surface," Macfarlane suggests. Manke agrees, noting to first check the water supply by connecting an unkinked three-quarter-inch garden hose to ensure your unit receives sufficient flow to do its job right.

"Cleaning tough stains and grime on your home exterior may first require a detergentyou'll use a low-pressure spray pattern to apply this," Macfarlane continues. If you use a detergent, let it sit on the surface for a few minutes and then work the pressure washer from top to bottom in small sections. If you have a two-story home, he recommends getting spray tips and extensions to make sure you can reach the areas that are higher up.

Work the angles.

The widest nozzle draws detergent from the receptacle; if you're washing a vertical surface (like a wall), go from bottom to top. To power-rinse, switch to the 25-degree nozzle (green) and sweep it from the top down in overlapping passes, avoiding windows and frames. Use the more forceful 15-degree (yellow) one for stub-born regions, and the gentler 40-degree (white) one for soft materials like wood.

Aim high.

To reach places over-head, plug a lance extension into your machine rather than using a ladder. "The kickback could easily knock you right off of it," Manke explains. If you still can't hit the mark, hire a pro, who can do the job safely with scaffolding.

Take a different approach with lower-to-the-ground details.

To power-wash your porch, deck, driveway, or sidewalk, use a rotary surface-cleaner attachmentwhich looks like a frisbee and sprays water in a spinning motionfor fast and even cleaning.

Avoid windows and vents.

Keep in mind there are some areas you'll want to avoid when power washing your house. "Regardless of the type of exterior you're cleaning, avoid getting detergent or water behind the outer surface," Macfarlane explains. "Keep the high-pressure spray away from windows and exterior vents." He also advises standing on a stable surface and wearing safety protection equipment; never leave the spray gun unattended while the power washer is running, he adds.

Get yourself on a schedule.

How often should you give your home's exterior a deep clean? According to Macfarlane, you shouldn't need to power wash your house more than twice a yearbut there is one spot in particular to keep a close eye on. "The northern exposure of a home is more prone to a buildup of moss and lichens because the area receives less direct sunlight, which may need more frequent power washing," he says.