to stockpile cotton buds

[Pansypath]

Nothing makes me happier than a little rummage in the ear for wax, plus a gazillion other uses (mainly cleaning). Given they are now banned, alongside plastic straws, so me buying them will not lead to the manufacture of more despite creating demand, aibu to stock up on a lifetimes supply if I see any still for sale in corner shops etc. I reckon a life times supply is about 100 pots. I mean the ones that have been made already will still need disposing of even if not bought and used.

www.forgerecycling.co.uk/blog/eco-friendly-bamboo/

Bamboo is not the answer to our prayers.

Ear plugs
Hearing aid
Ear pods
Thermometer

Anymore?

All of these, though, are short and squat and are designed not to intrude far into the ear canal. Cotton buds are long and thin and there is nothing to prevent them reaching the eardrum quite easily.

I had my ears checked recently by an audiologist because I wanted microsuction cleaning. I thought due to over 3 decades or joyous cotton bud action there must be shitloads of compacted wax in there.

Nothing. His own word “perfectly clean and healthy”. I was extremely disappointed.

im with you op-didnt realise theyd already selling plastic ones

ive tried stopping its addictive

@ToD101

Ear plugs Hearing aid Ear pods Thermometer

Anymore?

All of these, though, are short and squat and are designed not to intrude far into the ear canal. Cotton buds are long and thin and there is nothing to prevent them reaching the eardrum quite easily.

Well, I don’t hold a cotton bud at the very end... fingers are actually quite far up.

@AuntyPasta

Paper straws might be crap because you soak them in liquid for a prolonged period. What on earth are you doing with cotton wool buds that requires them to be soaked in liquid for 2+ minutes?

My husband had a liquid steroid to apply to his scalp and the external ear areas, the paper ones are not great when you add a liquid steroid to them.

I guess the idea of stock piling cotton buds would have to be as sensible as thinking sticking one in your ear is a great idea

Well, I don’t hold a cotton bud at the very end...
fingers are actually quite far up.

But it's still long and thin. It's almost impossible to push most things designed for the ear very far into the ear canal. That's for a reason.

As someone who is deaf and works with deaf people (albeit not from cotton buds!) I don't know why anyone would potentially risk their hearing when it's just not necessary.

Fair enough. I was thinking of ears.

@Pansypath you need to do what I do and give them a good waggling with a hair grip. Bliss.

Watches other Mnetters faint with horror.

@ToD101

Well, I don’t hold a cotton bud at the very end... fingers are actually quite far up.

But it's still long and thin. It's almost impossible to push most things designed for the ear very far into the ear canal. That's for a reason.

As someone who is deaf and works with deaf people (albeit not from cotton buds!) I don't know why anyone would potentially risk their hearing when it's just not necessary.

That’s bs. My grandad got the cushion of his hearing aid stuck deep in his ear (and didn’t notice for weeks). It’s quote common. HTH.

*quite (typing with a cotton bud)

Ooooh @Kolsch so tempted

Also, checked my current stash. Turns out they are all cardboard already. Who knew. Well done Johnsons

That’s bs. My grandad got the cushion of his hearing aid stuck deep in his ear (and didn’t
notice for weeks). It’s quote common. HTH.

I did say "almost" impossible to push "most" things in. Those tulip buds on some hearing aids can come off if they're fiddled about with, yes, I know. I wear hearing aids myself and support people who wear them in my job.

Well I was going to call you a dick for not using eco ones. Now that you realise you are you have just highlighted why this will make no difference to people and could have been done years ago.

I have to clean my ears every morning otherwise I feel dirty. Sometimes I like to just leave it in my ear while I do my make up so satisfying

@MiddleClassProblem

I had my ears checked recently by an audiologist because I wanted microsuction cleaning. I thought due to over 3 decades or joyous cotton bud action there must be shitloads of compacted wax in there.

Nothing. His own word “perfectly clean and healthy”. I was extremely disappointed.

This was bloody hilarious I'd be as disappointed too, I often wonder how much ear wax I've got pushed up against my ear drum too from my enthusiastic cotton bud cleaning

I quite like this one:
LastSwab Reusable Cotton Buds for Ears - Dolphin Turquoise - Environmentally Friendly Q-tip - Cotton Swabs www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TWHSM87/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bfMDFb0KK1FAR?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Doesn't get out quite as much earwax as a traditional one, but it's reusable so perfect for when you get an itch.

They're not banned. They just can't have plastic stalks.

@ToD101

That’s bs. My grandad got the cushion of his hearing aid stuck deep in his ear (and didn’t notice for weeks). It’s quote common. HTH.

I did say "almost" impossible to push "most" things in. Those tulip buds on some hearing aids can come off if they're fiddled about with, yes, I know. I wear hearing aids myself and support people who wear them in my job.

“Almost impossible” to “can come off” in the same sentence. I was just saying that your “almost impossible” was bs. Because it’s actually quite common.

@EarlLeighIndamornin

Paper stemmed cotton buds are useless. Just like paper straws are!

How wet are your ears?

“Almost impossible” to “can come off” in the
same sentence.

Yes, I said "if fiddled with". I wore those kinds of buds for years and they never came off in my ear.

If you're just going to pick the parts of what I'm saying, as a professional in this field, that you want to and ignoring the rest then there's no point. HTH.

@toiletpaper I was extra annoyed as I had been listening to the SMA podcast and Chris Ramsey has been a few times, all with black raisins of joy. I thought “if he has been a few times and always needed stuff out and I have never been, there must be loads! Maybe everything does sound a bit muffled. You know what I feel something in their...”
It was all in my head (or not in this case).

they're very useful for cleaning my teapot spout.
still only about half way through a tub that I bought a couple of years ago.
Most that I've seen in shops recently have had paper/cardboard stems.