How to Clean Ear Piercings Properly

Proper cleaning is the cornerstone of successful piercing aftercare. While the concept seems simple, there's a right way and many wrong ways to clean a healing piercing. This guide provides detailed instructions and helps you avoid common mistakes that can delay healing or cause complications.

The Only Cleaning Solution You Need

Forget everything you've heard about tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or Betadine. These products are far too harsh for healing piercings and can actually damage the delicate new tissue forming around your jewellery. The only cleaning solution recommended by professional piercers is sterile saline.

Saline solution is simply salt water at a specific concentration that matches your body's natural fluids. It gently cleans the piercing site without causing irritation or killing the beneficial cells involved in healing. It's effective, affordable, and available at every Australian pharmacy.

Saline Options in Australia

You have two choices for saline solution: pre-made sterile wound wash or a homemade solution. Both work effectively when used correctly.

Pre-Made Sterile Saline

Sterile wound wash is the most convenient and reliable option. Look for products containing only two ingredients: 0.9% sodium chloride (salt) and water. Avoid anything with added preservatives, fragrances, or other ingredients. These products are available at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and most supermarket pharmacy sections. Common brands include Stericlens and various generic wound washes. Expect to pay between $5-15 AUD per bottle.

The advantage of pre-made saline is guaranteed sterility and correct concentration. The spray bottles allow for easy application without touching the piercing area with your hands.

Homemade Saline Solution

If pre-made isn't available or you prefer DIY, you can make saline at home. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodised sea salt in one cup (250ml) of warm distilled or boiled water. Mix until the salt is completely dissolved. Make fresh solution for each cleaning session. Don't store homemade saline, as it can become contaminated with bacteria.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Follow this process twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, for the duration of your healing period.

Step 1: Wash Your Hands

Before touching anything near your piercing, wash your hands thoroughly with liquid antibacterial soap. Scrub for at least 20 seconds, getting under fingernails and between fingers. Dry with a clean paper towel, not a fabric towel that can harbour bacteria. This step is non-negotiable. Your hands are the primary source of bacteria that can cause piercing infections.

Step 2: Apply Saline Solution

If using a spray bottle, hold it close to your piercing and spray directly onto the front and back of the piercing. If using homemade saline, you can soak a clean paper towel or gauze pad and hold it against the piercing for a minute or two. Some people find it helpful to cup their ear over a small cup of saline, allowing the solution to fully saturate the area.

Step 3: Let It Sit

Allow the saline to sit on the piercing for 30-60 seconds. This gives it time to soften any dried discharge or crusties around the jewellery. Don't rush this step. The softening action makes cleaning easier and less likely to cause trauma.

Step 4: Gently Clean Around the Piercing

If there's any loosened discharge around the piercing, gently remove it with a clean cotton swab or gauze pad. Move from the jewellery outward, not toward the piercing hole. Never force crusties off. If they don't come away easily, they're not ready. Picking at stubborn crusties can reopen the wound and set back healing.

Step 5: Pat Dry

Moisture left on the piercing can create an environment for bacteria to thrive. Use clean, disposable paper towel or tissue to gently pat the area dry. Don't use fabric towels or face cloths, as they can harbour bacteria and their fibres may catch on your jewellery. Allow the area to air dry for a few minutes after patting to ensure it's completely moisture-free.

Cleaning in the Shower

The shower is an excellent place to clean your piercing as part of your daily routine. The warm water helps soften any discharge, and you can let clean water run over the piercing to rinse it thoroughly. However, keep these points in mind.

Always clean your piercing at the end of your shower, after you've washed your hair and body. This prevents shampoo, conditioner, and body wash residue from sitting on the piercing. Let clean water flow over the piercing for 30 seconds to a minute, but don't aim a powerful shower head directly at it, as the pressure can irritate the healing tissue.

After your shower, still follow up with your saline cleaning routine and dry the piercing thoroughly. The shower rinse is a complement to, not a replacement for, proper saline cleaning.

Dealing with Crusties

Crusties are the dried form of lymph, a clear or slightly yellowish fluid that your body produces as part of the healing process. They're completely normal and actually a good sign that your body is healing correctly. However, they need to be managed properly to avoid complications.

Never pick at crusties when they're dry and firmly attached. This can tear healing tissue and introduce bacteria into the wound. Instead, use the saline soaking method to soften them before gently wiping them away. If crusties don't come off easily, leave them alone. They'll eventually fall away on their own during cleaning.

Excessive crusties or crusties that are yellow, green, or have a foul odor may indicate a problem. Normal lymph is clear to pale yellow and doesn't smell. If you notice unusual discharge, consult your piercer or doctor.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

Over-Cleaning

One of the most common mistakes is cleaning too frequently. While it might seem logical that more cleaning equals better healing, the opposite is true. Excessive cleaning strips away the beneficial fluids your body produces to heal the piercing and can irritate the tissue, leading to prolonged healing times and potential complications.

Using the Wrong Products

Despite outdated advice still circulating, products like tea tree oil, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and antibacterial ointments should never be used on healing piercings. These can damage healing tissue, cause chemical burns, or create a moist environment where bacteria thrive.

Touching Without Clean Hands

Every time you touch your piercing with unwashed hands, you risk introducing bacteria. This is especially problematic when you unconsciously touch or fiddle with your jewellery throughout the day. If you catch yourself touching your piercing, make an effort to break the habit.

Signs Your Cleaning Routine Is Working

How do you know if you're cleaning correctly? A well-maintained piercing should show gradual improvement over time. Swelling should decrease within the first week or two. Redness should fade. Crusties should diminish as healing progresses. The area should not be excessively dry or irritated.

If you're following proper cleaning procedures and your piercing isn't improving or is getting worse, consult your piercer. They can assess whether there's an underlying issue or if adjustments to your aftercare routine are needed.