nothing smaller than your elbow should go into your ear!
On this occasion, and many others, my mother is correct. Nothing smaller than your elbow should go into your ear! Q-tips, if inserted into the ear canal, end up pushing the wax towards the tympanic membrane. Over time, this builds up and reduces your ability to hear. So, if you can get your elbow to reach your ear, go for it. Otherwise, just let the warm shower water gently run into your ears to help keep them clean. And for goodness sake clean your belly buttons out every once in a while! (Ok, that was unrelated, but as a surgeon, I've seen some uber-nasty crud livin' la vida loca in there!) -- There. this thread has officially burned itself out, on that disgusting but painfully true note.