Odd question: how/do you clean your children's ears?!

[Yahboosnubs]

My children have filthy ears I have realised. I'm not talking about wax, but general grot in the outer ear. My inclination is to do a gentle gouge (oxymoron) with my finger, but obviously they hate this and you're probably not supposed to do that. In the bath I swirl a flannel around the area but don't dig in there. Any thoughts or suggestions as to what I should do?

TIA

Thin face cloth in the bath and tbh I used to use cotton buds. I once stood near a woman in Paris who obviously did not clean her ears, and - well - what can I say? Yuck.

Second using cotton buds for the outer ear. If they're objecting, then dip in warm water first.

Use nothing smaller than your elbow - apparently

I know, I had the elbow rule in my head too, that's why I haven't used cotton buds to be honest. I guess as long as I don't jab them in the actual ear hole then they're ok in the outer ear. Thanks, all.

Face cloth in the bath and then - slightly embarrassing - I have a good old pick, gently, with clean fingernails in the outer ear only of course. It's amazing what you can dig out! DS loves it and dozes on my lap while I do it, then he turns over so I can do the other side. He is an odd boy (18m old).

i put a few drops of kids perfume on a small disc of cotton and clean the outer ear like that + the back f it. every sunday.