Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide: Extraordinary Uses, Dangers and More (Ultimate Guide)

Food grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has many uses around the home and commercially. 3% hydrogen peroxide is usually used to disinfect surfaces, whiten teeth, and used as a mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide also comes in other grades that are stronger than 3%. For example, the food industry often uses 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide for various bleaching processes and to kill off germs.

What is 35 Percent Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide?

Food grade hydrogen peroxide that is sold as a 35% solution is a mixture of additive-free hydrogen peroxide and 65% water.

The chemical name of hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 which is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen particles. Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless solution with strong oxidizing properties.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that 35% hydrogen peroxide is classed as commercial strength. The reason why it is called food grade is that the H2O2solution doesn’t contain any additives or stabilizers.

The British Dental Journal says that in clinical settings 35% hydrogen peroxide is powerful enough to be used to whiten teeth. However, this is always carried out by a qualified dental technician. There are also reports that using 35% hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth can cause them to become more sensitive. 

It doesn’t matter if hydrogen peroxide is classed as “food grade,” you shouldn’t use 35 percent food grade hydrogen peroxide at home.

What is 3 Percent Hydrogen Peroxide?

3% food grade hydrogen peroxide is sold in many drugstores, supermarkets, and online as an over-the-counter antiseptic solution.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, purified water are added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. You can use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill off germs and prevent oral infections. 

Doctors warn that 3% H2O2 should never be ingested and you shouldn’t use the solution for longer than a week.

However, when used properly, there are many uses for 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide around the home. Some of the uses of hydrogen peroxide include use as an antiseptic mouthwash, surface disinfectant, toothbrush cleanser, and an antibacterial rinse for vegetables.

Here are some of the best uses of hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash (Gargling with Hydrogen Peroxide)

One of the popular reasons to use food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide is to gargle with diluted hydrogen peroxide.

As with any grade of hydrogen peroxide – 35% hydrogen peroxide, 12% hydrogen peroxide, or 3% hydrogen peroxide – you should be careful not to swallow any of the solution.

Are there any scientific studies backing up the use of hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash? According to the Australian Dental Journal, using a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash over long periods of time is a safe practice. Rinsing your mouth with an H2O2 solution helps to kill off bacteria without damaging teeth or gums.

There is also evidence that 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide can be good for keeping your toothbrush free from germs. One study found that 3 percent hydrogen peroxide was an effective toothbrush disinfectant. In fact, the hydrogen peroxide was more effective than commercially-produced dental products. 

When gargling with hydrogen peroxide, it is important to make sure and not swallow any of the solution, even if the food grade hydrogen peroxide solution is less than 3%.

Doctors in 2017 reported on a case of a woman complaining about gastritis and colitis which was the result of swallowing 3% hydrogen peroxide. Although a 3% H2O2solution is generally regarded as nontoxic, doctors advise against ingesting it. 

Let’s look at some ways you can safely use 3% hydrogen peroxide to keep your mouth free from germs and bacteria.

How to rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide

You can easily make a hydrogen peroxide gargle at home to help kill off germs from your mouth.

To safely gargle with hydrogen peroxide you will need to start with a bottle of food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide. You should be able to find this in your local drugstore. This is how to gargle with the peroxide mouthwash:

1. Dilute 1-part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2-parts water. This will give you a low concentration of 1% hydrogen peroxide.
2. Take a small mouthful of the hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, and swish around your mouth for 60 seconds. Then spit out.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide can help whiten teeth

You may find that regularly using a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide (less than 3%) will result in having whiter, brighter teeth.

Research from 2014 on the teeth-whitening effect of 1.5% hydrogen peroxide found that it can act as a bleaching agent on teeth. The research found that the hydrogen peroxide solution lightened teeth. The solution was used for 4 minutes a day for 28 days.

One study from 2015 found that the best results from using hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth is to use the solution over a few months. Researchers found that hydrogen peroxide helps to break down darkened molecules that can cause teeth to lose their white color.

You can combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth. See detailed instructions in this article.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide helps to cure a sore throat

Because hydrogen peroxide even at 3% concentrations has an antibacterial effect, gargling with hydrogen peroxide can also help cure a sore throat.

You should make your hydrogen peroxide gargle for a sore throat with a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution. For this, you should mix 1 part of 3% food hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 2 parts of water. Gargle for up to 60 seconds, taking care not to swallow any of the solution.

If you have trouble gargling or you have young children who have a sore throat, you should use a salt gargle instead. This will prevent any irritation to your esophagus by inadvertently swallowing the peroxide solution.

Here are the instructions to make your own saline gargle to break up mucus in your throat and help kill off throat infections.

• Dissolve ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt in an 8-oz. glass of warm water.
• Gargle the salt solution 3 or 4 times a day to help soothe the pain and irritation at the back of your mouth.

For added effect, you could add a teaspoon of turmeric to help the infection clear quicker.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide keeps your mouth free of bacteria

Using a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash to gargle can be part of your daily dental routine to keep your breath fresh and mouth free from bacteria.

Dentists say that good oral health requires reducing levels of harmful bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria can lead to the buildup of plaque and is one of the leading causes of gum disease. 

The International Journal of Dental Hygiene published the results of studies on using hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes. A systematic review of over 220 medical articles found that rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide helps to reduce plaque and prevent gingivitis (gum disease).

Other Uses of Food Grade 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Bleach Alternative to Whiten Clothes

Food grade hydrogen peroxide can act like bleach, which makes it a perfect alternative to keep your clothes white. 

Clothes tend to wear out faster when using bleach, however low concentration of hydrogen peroxide won’t do that and it doesn’t leave the bad odor that bleach does. Just add one cup of hydrogen peroxide into a washer load of whites. You can also find more natural bleach alternatives in my previous article.

Stain Remover for Clothes

You can use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from your clothes or carpet if used fairly soon. (21) But watch out, hydrogen peroxide can bleach out the fabric as mentioned above, so dab it on an invisible test spot first to see what happens.

Pour 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide directly on the spot to remove stains. Let it set and bubble for 1-2 minutes, rub and rinse with cold water and soap before throwing them in the washing machine. Repeat if necessary.

Surface Cleaner

Hydrogen peroxide can be used in many ways in your kitchen and at home to remove stains and kill germs.

A study from 2016 mentions that hydrogen peroxide-based liquid surface disinfectants are effective alternatives to disinfectants currently in widespread use in hospitals.

These products were also used as spray to reduce pathogens that cause contamination on soft surfaces such as bedside curtains in hospitals.

You can use hydrogen peroxide at home to clean kitchen counters, floor cleaning (including grout cleaning), table top cleaner, disinfect the inside of your fridge, as well as cleaning your windows.

Just add the 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spray on the target surface and wipe off, just as a normal household cleaner.

If you want to sanitize, leave the hydrogen peroxide for a longer period before rinsing it off.

You can also find here how to make sanitizing natural household cleaner using essential oils.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide Fights Mold and Mildew in Your Bathroom

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is very effective against mold and mildew. For example a study from 2011 found that hydrogen peroxide mist was effective in decontaminating air in rooms infested with mold after water damage. In another study, hydrogen peroxide was used to reduce the occurrence of mold on food packaging to improve sterilization. 

In a similar way as in the kitchen cleaner, add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spraying bottle and apply directly to the problem areas to remove mold and mildew. Let it set for a few minutes to kill the germs, mold and mildew and wipe them up for a clean and fresh smelling bathroom.

Use Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Pesticides From Fruits and Vegetables

Hydrogen peroxide is also used to remove pesticides and reduce their concentration. 

To remove bacteria and pesticides from your fruit or vegetables, add ¼ cup 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide to a full sink and soak the produce for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse each piece with cold tap water and dry. If you don’t have the time to wait, spray your fruit or veggies with a 3% food-grade peroxide solution, let stand for a few minutes, rinse and dry.

Remove Earwax with Hydrogen Peroxide

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for ear wax removal. Hydrogen peroxide drops work by releasing oxygen to soften and remove ear wax and also have a weak antibacterial effect.

If you suffer from a painful or irritating wax build-up, you can use an eye dropper to put 2 drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear to soften the earwax. Let it set for a minute or so and then use a syringe and carefully flush out with warm water and dry your ear.

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is also one of the home remedies for getting rid of ear infection.

Treat Toenail Fungus, Warts and Skin Tags

Food grade hydrogen peroxide can treat toenail fungus, warts and skin tags.

To treat toenail fungus soak toes or fingers in a 50/50 solution of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide and water every day and the fungus will be history in no time. Also read my article about natural cure for toenail fungus.

If you suffer from warts or skin tags you can use over-the-counter products to treat warts, or visit a dermatologist that can perform wart or skin tag treatment and removal techniques, but you can also treat these two with hydrogen peroxide. You can find all the details and instructions in the article how to remove skin tags and warts with hydrogen peroxide.

Hair Lightening

Hydrogen peroxide is not only used to bleach clothing, it can be used to lighten your hair as well.

Again dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water (50/50) and spray it on wet hair and comb it through to lighten your hair gradually and without the use of harsh chemicals. Just be aware that high concentration of hydrogen peroxide and longer time of bleach treatment may cause hair damage.

Improve Root System of Plants

Hydrogen peroxides adds more oxygen to the soil, which allows plants to take up more nutrients and water to boost the plant’s growth and encourages the development of a healthy and strong root system.

It also kills harmful bacteria and fungus presented in the soil. Just mix 2 teaspoons of 35% food grade peroxide in 1 gallon of water to water your plants. Or use a 3% solution to spray your plants.

Home Remedy for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Food grade hydrogen peroxide (3%) can help to eliminate bacterial vaginosis. It helps to eliminate the bad bacteria by causing it to oxidize. According to doctors, there are no bacteria or fungi that can develop resistance to hydrogen peroxide.

A study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand found that hydrogen peroxide was able to cure just over 60% of women who had bacterial vaginosis.

You can mix equal parts of water with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Either soak a tampon in the liquid and insert in your vagina for 20-30 minutes or use a douche to help treat bacterial vaginosis and reduce itching. For more information please read the article about the best home remedies for bacterial vaginosis.

Get Rid of Cold Sores (fever blisters) Using 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful antibacterial and antiviral compound which can help kill the virus that causes fever blisters.

In a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, hydrogen peroxide was shown to be able to kill the HSV1 virus that causes fever blisters. (31)

To heal a fever blister you can add a few drops of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide to a cotton swab and gently wipe it over the affected area. This may sting a little, but this is the natural astringent properties of hydrogen peroxide which are helping to kill the infection. Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day until your fever blister has disappeared completely.

Home Remedy for the Removal of Red Moles (Cherry Angiomas)

Hydrogen peroxide may be helpful in removing cherry angiomas (red moles). Hydrogen peroxide can be used to help get rid of skin tags and warts naturally because it is a natural bleaching agent. But before using it, make sure to visit your doctor to have the mole checked.

For more information, read the article on how to get rid of red moles on skin.

Medical Uses for 35 Percent Hydrogen Peroxide

Although you can use 3% hydrogen peroxide around the home and to improve your dental health, some websites promote the use of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.

Among some of the unsupported claims of using higher concentrations of H2O2 are getting rid of nail and foot fungus, treating ear infections, and eliminating skin mites.

However, as mentioned previously, you shouldn’t use 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide at home.

Can Hydrogen Peroxide Cure Cancer?

Is there any truth to the claims that hydrogen peroxide can be used as a cure for cancer?

Some websites claim that hydrogen peroxide is an alternative cancer treatment because it contains oxygen. It is claimed that cancer cells thrive in low oxygen environments and oxygenating tumors helps to kill off cancer cells. This was based on research carried out in the 1930s by Otto Heinrich Warburg.

Because of this theory, some people claim that you can drink or inject 35% hydrogen peroxide solutions to cure cancer.

Does modern scientific research backup claims that hydrogen peroxide cures cancer?

There are no recent scientific studies that show you can use hydrogen peroxide in any solution to treat cancer.

In fact, studies point to the fact that hydrogen peroxide therapy (called oxymedicine) is probably non-effective in cancer treatment. There is even evidence that hydrogen peroxide could promote the spread of cancer.

The journal Cell Cycle in 2011 found that cancer cells actually produce their own hydrogen peroxide. Scientists discovered that applying hydrogen peroxide to cancer cells can actually help to “feed” them and promote their spread (metastasis). They also found that hydrogen peroxide could also cause cell damage and result in the development of tumors. 

Information published by the American Cancer Society in 1992 reported on the results of a number of scientific studies. Their conclusion was that there is no evidence that oxymedicine is effective for treating any chronic disease, let alone cancer. 

There are also other serious health implications of self-administering food grade 35 percent hydrogen peroxide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that ingesting 35% hydrogen peroxide can cause serious harm or death. It is also illegal to promote 35% H2O2 therapy as a cure for cancer, AIDS, or any other chronic illness.

Hydrogen Peroxide on the Skin – Is it Safe?

Hydrogen peroxide 3% is generally regarded as safe to use and has many uses around the home and in healthcare.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide can be irritating to the eyes and skin. (14) However, many people claim that putting 3% hydrogen peroxide on wounds can help to heal them quicker.

But should you put hydrogen peroxide on your skin to prevent infections and help wounds heal faster?

Some studies indicate that doctors can use 3% hydrogen peroxide to help treat wounds. However, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a solution with other ingredients and used in a clinical setting. 

When it comes to treating wounds at home, doctors generally advise against using household 3% hydrogen peroxide due to its irritant nature. The Mayo Clinic advises not to use hydrogen peroxide to rinse wounds.

In fact, there are many reasons not to put hydrogen peroxide on your skin to heal wounds. Apart from the 3% solution irritating your wound even further, doctors from WebMD warn that hydrogen peroxide could damage wound tissue even more.

To clean a wound and prevent infection, doctors recommend washing the damaged skin with plenty of soap and water and then covering with sterile gauze. 

So, in short, you should avoid putting food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide on your skin to remove germs or clean wounds.

The Dangers of Exposure to Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Food grade hydrogen peroxide, even in concentrations as low as 3%, can cause some irritation to your skin, eyes, airways (if you breathe it in), or esophagus (if you swallow it).

The Journal of Toxicology reports that ingesting 3% hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation to the gastric lining. There have even been reports of long-term ingestion of hydrogen peroxide causing gastric ulcers.

You should also remember that 3% hydrogen peroxide can cause a lot of foam when it comes into contact with the skin. It could even cause a lot of foaming at the mouth if it is ingested. However, this is usually a benign chemical reaction and is usually nothing to worry about.

Generally, swallowing 3% household hydrogen peroxide causes gastric upset, vomiting, and mouth irritation. If this happens, you should drink some milk or water to help dilute the solution.

Consuming large amounts of food grade hydrogen peroxide can result in more serious gastric upset and even burn the stomach lining. This requires emergency medical attention.

Exposure to 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide is more serious and can even be fatal. Ingesting strong food grade hydrogen peroxide can result in serious injury to the gastric lining and gas formation in the veins. This type of exposure can cause a stroke, ulcers, and life-threatening reactions.

Best Ways to Get Water Out of Ears: Learn How to Unclog Your Ears

Water in ear may only seem like a slight annoyance, but leaving it untreated can cause serious damage and it can also impact your hearing as well. Usually, water can get into your ear while swimming or bathing. Wax located in the ear canal typically prevents water from entering too deeply into the ear canal but sometimes the fluid can get trapped inside. It is not difficult to get water out of ears and in this article I’ll look at the best natural ways for doing it.

You need to know that water in the ear can result in pain or reduced hearing. If left untreated, it can cause inflammation, sharp ear pain, hearing loss, crackling or popping sounds, and cyst formation. Fluid that is trapped in the outer ear can be treated without involving a doctor.

However, water that is trapped in the middle ear must be treated by a doctor in order to prevent further damage or infection.

Let’s have a look at some easy and effective ways to remove water from the ear.

How to Get Water Out of Ears

1. Create a Pressure Change

Before putting anything in your ear, try to get the water out of your ears by manually forcing the water out with pressure change.

You may be able to remove the water out of your ear canal by simply chewing gum. Another approach is to cup your hand over your ear and pump inward while tilting the ear toward the ground – this can help you drain the water out of your ear canal.

The change in pressure may release the water naturally. Or you may get lucky and find the perfect angle to let the water escape.

You can also create a pressure change by using the Valsalva maneuver and opening up the Eustachian tubes which can help you to push water out of your ears.

Here’s how to do the Valsalva maneuver:

• Close your mouth and pinch your nose with your fingers like you were trying to hold your breath while going under water.
• Gently blow into your nose while keeping your fingers pinched on your nose.

You should hear a slight popping sound, which means your tubes are open again.

Valsalva maneuver is also one of the ways to naturally get rid of clogged ears.

2. Change the Temperature of the Water

Warm water may be easier to get out than room (or ear) temperature water.

Try loosening up the ear wax in attempt to clear a path for the water by holding a washcloth with warm water to the ear (be careful not to burn your ear – use only warm water). Be sure to repeat this action several times while keeping the washcloth warm. After several attempts, try tilting your head or lying down to see if the water runs out of your ear.

You can also try various steaming methods to heat the liquid in your ear – this can help it dissipate out of the ear.

• Sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running may loosen up the ear wax and allow the water to run out of your ear.
• Another technique is to pour hot water into a bowl, place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and inhale the steam. After 5 to 10 minutes, tilt your head to see if the fluid comes out the ear.

Steam inhalation (combined with essential oils) is also one of the natural ways to treat ear infection.

3. Use Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar

Vinegar has a lot of surprising household uses but did you that vinegar can also help you get water out of ears?

The mixture of the alcohol and vinegar can remove ear wax blockage which can trap the fluid inside your ear.

In a bowl, mix together one teaspoon each of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Then, using an eye dropper, place 2-3 drops of the mixture into your blocked ear. Rub your ear gently with a warm washcloth to incorporate the mixture.

Tilt your head to the side or lay down on your bed with the blocked ear facing down to help the water run out.

Dr. Robert Wilson, ENT, suggests that flushing the ear canal every few weeks with this mixture will often clean the ear and prevent wax impaction. This can potentially help prevent water from getting trapped in the ears.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide for Blocked Ear

I have already mentioned the large number of uses of hydrogen peroxide and one of them is clearing wax and fluid out of the ear.

In a bowl mix together one teaspoon each of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Using a dropper, place two to three drops of the mixture in your plugged ear. This can help flushing wax buildup which traps the water in ear. Wait a few minutes for the liquid to settle before trying to run the water out of the affected ear.

5.  Salt can Absorb the Water from your Ear

I’ve already mentioned that salt can help you get gorgeous skin and it can also help you to get rid of water trapped in ear.

To use this method, heat a small amount of salt in the microwave and place it on a cotton ball. Tie the cotton ball tightly so that no salt comes off. Then place the cotton ball near the opening of your blocked ear for several minutes. As salt absorbs water, this method should be able to draw the water out of your ear.

Be very careful not to put any salt directly in your ear.

6. Olive Oil and Garlic

Olive oil has a large number of health benefits and it may even reduce the risk of developing cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and hypertension.

According to an article published in Health Technol Assess, olive oil can be used to remove ear wax buildup which can help you to drain the water out of your clogged ear.

To use olive oil to drain the fluid out of your ear, heat some olive oil in a small bowl over the stove. When it’s slightly warm (be careful as oil becomes hot quickly), place a few drops of olive oil into the blocked ear, using a dropper. Wait a few minutes before attempting to drain the water that is trapped inside the ear.

Or you can add garlic to the olive. Garlic contain antiseptic properties that may help prevent an ear infection if water is trapped inside.

Here’s how to make your own garlic oil which you can use to pour a few drops into the clogged ear.
– Mash two cloves of garlic.
– Add two tablespoons of olive oil.
– Heat it together in a saucepan for a few seconds.
– Let it cool down a bit.
– Using a dropper, place 2 to 3 drops of garlic oil into the affected ear and wait several minutes.
– Then tilt your head to the side or lie down and see if the fluid runs out.

Getting Water Out of Ears – A few Precautions

It is worthwhile to note that these ear cleaning procedures are not recommended if you suffer from an ear infection or ear pain.

Keep in mind that the inner parts of the ear are delicate and you should be careful not to poke the inner ear with the dropper, cotton swab or other objects. This is one of the reasons you should never ever clean inside your ear.

Finally, if these procedures do not help you to get the water out of your ear, seek professional help from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.

The Most Effective Ways to Naturally Get Rid of Clogged Ears

Having clogged ears is an annoying condition that can cause discomfort and pain and even affect your hearing. Usually, your ears feel clogged when the ear canal gets blocked or there is an imbalance of pressure in the Eustachian tubes. Thankfully, there are effective home remedies for getting rid of clogged ears.

Clogged Ears – Overview

There are many reasons why your ears can feel plugged. For example, ear congestion can be due to a wax buildup in the ear canal, an infection in your ear, an accumulation of water, or congested sinuses. The feeling of a blockage in the ear canal could also be due to changes in air pressure, like when landing or taking off in an airplane.

This ear blockage can make your ears feel full, cause sounds to be muffled, interfere with your hearing, and even make you dizzy. Some people also have a sensation that there is water in their ear. When your ears are blocked you may also notice popping, clicking, or crackling sound in your ear.

Some of the best home remedies for clogged ears involve softening the ear wax with olive oil, using a warm compress, or applying some hydrogen peroxide. You can also relieve the feeling of a plugged ear by yawning, chewing gum, or using the Valsalva maneuver method.

Before looking at some natural ways to unclog your ears, it’s important to understand the connection between your ears and your sinuses.

Clogged Ears – The Sinus-Ear Connection

One of the most common causes of clogged ears are colds and allergies which affect your respiratory system. Your nose and ears are connected via the Eustachian tubes and infections in your nose and throat can affect your ears and cause ear and neck pain.

The Eustachian tubes keep air pressure in your ears at the right level and are usually closed but they open when we swallow, yawn or chew. These tubes help fluid to drain from the ear and help to prevent the ears from becoming infected. When you swallow, yawn or chew you can sometimes hear your ears popping as the tubes open to let air in and keep the pressure in your ears at an equal balance.

When you get a stuffy nose and congested sinuses, this also disturbs your ears and makes you less able to equalize air pressure. The result is a feeling of one or both ears being congested. The most common culprits behind plugged ears are viral infections, bacterial infections, and allergies. However, people with Eustachian tubes that are too narrow can also feel that their ears are constantly full.

Natural Ways for Getting Rid of Clogged Ears

How to prevent clogged ears due to sudden pressure changes

The best way to prevent the feeling that your ears are plugged due to sudden pressure changes is to keep the pressure in your ears equal. So, if you are planning to fly or drive up and down mountains, here are some tips to equalize the pressure in your ears:

• Chew gum
• Swallow
• Yawn

This will open up your Eustachian tubes and relieve stuffiness and pain in the ear by normalizing the pressure in your ears.

There are other natural ways to deal with any sudden change in pressure around the eardrum – read about them in my article about the best natural ways to unpop your ears.

Valsalva maneuver

A great way to get rid of the feeling of a clogged ear and to relieve pressure is to use the Valsalva maneuver. You can do this anytime and anywhere and it is effective in equalizing the pressure in your middle ear. The Valsalva maneuver involves gently breathing out while your nose and mouth are closed to relieve the sensation of fullness in the ears. To unclog your ear using the Valsalva maneuver, do the following:

• Pinch your nose tight to close the nostrils and keep your mouth closed.
• Breathe out as if trying to exhale through a closed nose. Don’t do this too forcefully as you might hurt your eardrum. There should be no pain involved.
• You might hear a popping sound, which means the pressure has been relieved.

The Valsalva maneuver method is also one of the best ways of relieving pressure from your ear caused by water in the ear.

Adopt a good sleeping position

Adopting a good sleeping position can also help ease ear congestion by allowing fluid to drain easier from the ears. Many health conditions deteriorate overnight and we wake up feeling groggy and run down. To help prevent your ears becoming congested while you are sleeping, you can do the following:

• If you sleep on your back, use a few pillows to prop your head up and sleep in a semi-upright position. This will help the ear canals to drain properly to prevent clogged ears.
• Some people find relief from blocked up ears by lying on their side. Lay down for about an hour with the congested ear facing down. This can help to reduce pressure and enable your ears to unclog easier.

If you have trouble falling asleep, use this special technique to fall asleep in less than 1 minute.

Other Natural Remedies to Treat Clogged & Stuffy Ears

You may have congested ears because of an infection or sinus pressure in your ears. In that case, there are many natural remedies that can help to loosen mucus in your nasal passages, clear ear wax, and drain fluid from the ear canal.

1. Warm compress

Placing a warm compress on the blocked ear is a great natural way to help relieve a clogged ear caused by a cold or an ear infection. The heat from the compress helps to loosen the blockage and soothe the pain and discomfort.

How to do it

• Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and wring it out.
• Place it over the blocked ear for 10 minutes to allow the heat to unblock the congestion.
• Alternatively, you can also wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and place it over the painful ear to relieve the pain and pressure in the ear.

2. Saline nasal rinse

Another great way to unclog a plugged ear is to rinse your nasal passages with a saline water. Salt is a well-known antibacterial agent and it can help to rinse your sinuses, kill infections, and reduce inflammation in your nasal passages. Washing your nasal passages can relieve the feeling of congestion by removing and softening mucus which is blocking the Eustachian tubes.

The easiest way to rinse your nasal passages is to use a neti pot. Dr. Luqman Seidu on WebMD says that a neti pot helps to clear the nasal passages. It’s an effective home remedy to get relief from a sinus blockage or allergy symptoms.¹

You can also use a bottle called NeliMed Sinus Rinse (like this one) to rinse your sinuses. The bottle uses the same principal of a neti pot but it is much easier to use.

Please read my article on the best home remedies for a sinus infection for detailed instructions on how to do a saline rinse to clear your sinuses and relieve congested ears.

3. Gargling warm salt water

Gargle with a warm salt water is another home remedy to get relief from a congested ear caused by an ear infection. Surprising as it may seem, gargling a saline solution to treat a throat infection can actually help clear your ears.

Dr. Dan Brennan on WebMD says that the salt water helps to soothe a sore throat and actually helps to unblock the Eustachian tubes.²

Here is how to use a salt water gargle to get rid of clogged ears and relieve the symptoms of a sore throat:

• Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
• Swish it around your mouth and gargle for 15 to 20 seconds.
• Spit it out.
• Repeat as often as possible until you feel that your ears are no longer clogged.

Gargling with salt and water is also one of the best home remedies for chest congestion and it is also an effective remedy for clearing throat mucus.

4. Tea tree oil combined with steam inhalations

If a cold is causing your ears to feel clogged, use a tea tree inhalation to get rid of the infection quickly to relieve the congestion. Combining tea tree oil with a simple steam inhalation technique can naturally relieve blocked ears, cure congestion, sore throat, chest infections, and clear up mucus.

Tea tree oil has amazing healing properties which can help to treat viral and bacterial infections in the respiratory system. You can read about the 75 extraordinary uses for tea tree oil.

The journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews reported that tea tree oil contains powerful natural compounds called terpenoids. These have been proven to have an antimicrobial effect against various infection-causing pathogens. For example, tea tree oil can effectively kill off the Streptococcus pyogenes strain of bacteria which is responsible for strep throat.³

How to do it

• Pour boiling water in a bowl.
• Add a few drops of tea tree essential oil – you can also use lavender or eucalyptus oils.
• Inhale the steam, but be careful not to get burnt. The steam can also help thin and loosen the mucus in your nasal passages, which in turn will give you relief from clogged ears.

Use the tea tree oil inhalation regularly to get rid of clogged ears that are due to a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection.

5. Garlic oil

Another natural antibacterial remedy for unclogging ears is garlic oil. The warm garlic oil can help to loosen the congestion in your ear and the garlic properties can destroy any infection-causing germs.

A study published in the journal Microbes and Infection found that garlic contains a compound called allicin. This natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent can be used as a natural remedy for treating various infections. It is powerful enough to also kill off antibacterial-resistant strains of infections.⁴

To make your own garlic oil to unclog your ears naturally, this is what you should do:

• Mash two cloves of garlic and let them stand for 10 minutes to allow the allicin to form.
• Put the crushed garlic in a saucepan with 5 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Warm for 10-15 minutes over very low heat to let the beneficial properties of the garlic infuse into the oil.
• Let it cool down to skin temperature and then put it in your ear for 1 minute to help loosen any blockage or wax that is causing your ears to feel full. The warmth and the oil often offers fast pain relief as well.
• Drain the oil out.

If you prefer not to heat garlic, you can mince the raw garlic and keep it in olive oil without heating for 2-3 hours before straining and using.

To increase the efficacy you can add to the olive oil garlic and mullein flowers that work very well for relieving ear infections. Mullein has been used in traditional medical systems due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Garlic Mullein Oil to Treat Ear Infection

2-3 tbsp chopped garlic
2-3 tbsp mullein flowers
Extra virgin olive oil

Place the garlic and mullein flowers in a small saucepan and add just enough oil to cover the herbs. Warm for 15-20 minutes over very low heat. Strain well and store in tightly covered glass jar in the refrigerator.

How to use? warm the oil in a teaspoon over a candle or stove-top burner. Warm only to body temperature (about room temperature). Use a dropper and apply 3-4 drops into the ear. Apply the warm oil every 30 minutes or as often as needed.

Ear Wax Removal

If your ears are clogged due to wax accumulation, there are many easy ways to get rid of it naturally and safely to relieve the blockage. Be very careful when cleaning inside your ears especially when using cotton swabs or Q-tips as there are many good reasons not to stick anything inside your ear.

One word of warning: do not use any of these treatments if you have a hole in your eardrum.

Here are some of the best home remedies to remove ear wax.

1. Olive oil

To get rid of the wax that is clogging your ears, use warm olive oil. The soothing properties of olive oil will remove any discomfort from your ear and help the wax to drain quickly and clear the blocked ear.

Here is how to do it

• Warm some extra-virgin olive oil.
• Put a few drops in the blocked ear using a dropper.
• Keep your head sideways to help the oil settle.
• Let the oil go to work for a few minutes to soften the ear wax.
• Using a cotton bud, gently and carefully remove the loosened wax from the outer part of the ear.
• Use the remedy as often as necessary to get rid of all the excess wax from your ears.

2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) and alcohol

Apple cider vinegar has amazing health benefits and using it together with rubbing alcohol is a great way to unclog ears naturally. The ACV mixture also has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce any ear infection that is causing clogged ears. The low pH content of ACV also helps to reduce any itching in and around your ear canal.

Pediatrician Dr. David Hill says that this concoction will soften the troublesome ear wax, allowing it to flow out of the ear more easily.

To use apple cider vinegar and alcohol to remove excess wax from your ears, this is what you should do:

• Mix equal amounts of ACV and rubbing alcohol.
• Put a few drops of this solution in your ear.
• Keep your head sideways, so the ear wax remedy stays in.
• You can also put a piece of cotton ball over your ear to prevent the fluid from dripping out.
• Let it work for 10 minutes to soften the wax buildup.
• Remove the wax carefully from the outer part of your ear with a cotton bud.

You can repeat this remedy 2-3 times if you have a large blockage of ear wax.

3. Food Grade Hydrogen peroxide

Food grade hydrogen peroxide can help you get rid of a buildup of ear wax quickly and effectively which can help you to unplug your ear. Hydrogen peroxide has an antiseptic effect that can help to prevent skin infections. According to doctors at WebMD, the bubbling action helps to bring up dirt and loosen it.⁵

Researchers from Harvard Medical School recommend using 3% hydrogen peroxidefor ear wax removal.⁶

If you want to get rid of a congested ear using hydrogen peroxide, this is what you should do:

• Put two drops of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide in your clogged ear. Don’t exceed that amount or you could damage your eardrum.
• Wait until you hear a fizzing sound (it should take a few minutes).
• Let it fizz for few minutes until it stops.
• Tilt your head to the side, so that the solution and ear wax can drip out.

Do this every time you need to unclog your ears from excess ear wax.

Hydrogen peroxide can also treat ear infections due to its antiseptic properties, and you can read more about in my article on how to use hydrogen peroxide for an ear infection.

For more ideas on how to use hydrogen peroxide – read my post about 11 amazing uses for hydrogen peroxide.

Some More Tips for Unplugging Your Ears

Sometimes, making a few changes around your home and making some different lifestyle choices can do much to prevent your ears becoming clogged. Here are some of my best tips for unplugging your ears naturally.

Use a humidifier in your bedroom. This will provide your sinuses with the much-needed moisture and might relieve the pressure that is in your Eustachian tubes.

To alleviate the pain of plugged ears, sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running. The steam helps clear the ear canals and prevents them from drying out. Dry ears can make the body over-produce ear wax which can lead to a buildup of excess wax in your ear canals.

If you suffer from an ear infection, read my post about the best home remedies for getting rid of ear infection.

Sinus-related problems can be made worse by temperature extremes. If you feel your nose and ears are playing up, skip the morning jog on a freezing day. If you have a sinus infection read my post about the best ways to treat sinus infections naturally.

Avoid sudden changes in body position (this can cause dizziness) and keep your head up. Don’t shake your head or stand up fast.

Drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus in the nasal passages and prevent ear congestion. Avoid alcohol, too much tea and coffee, tobacco, and overly salty foods. They can affect your blood circulation and further worsen the condition of your ears.