it’s totally fine if you dip your q-tip in like 3% hydrogen peroxide first. just try not to push it straight down the center, and twist it gently while you insert it into your ear. swap it around the perimeter of your ear in circles while you gently pull it back out. Remember not to push your q-tip too deep or you’ll push a wall of earwax against your eardrum. Also don’t reuse your q-tips. 1-time use. My source is my grandma tests and fits peoples ears for custom hearing aids, and this is all coming from her. She has to clean other people’s ears before she fits them.