My kids swim almost every day in the summer {it’s a survival technique during our hot Texas summers} and unfortunately, we’ve had a few cases of swimmer’s ear {an outer ear infection}. This summer one of my daughters ended up with a very serious infection along with some complications and our doctor recommended using homemade swimmer’s ear drops after every swim. This simple formula is her recommendation. It’s simple and cheap and so far we haven’t had any more outer ear infections. Whip up a batch to keep your little swimmers healthy this summer!
To make homemade swimmer’s ear drops, you’ll need rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. The rubbing alcohol helps dry the water out of the ear and the vinegar helps restore the natural pH of the ear.
To use the drops, you’ll also need cotton balls and/or a small dropper.
Click on the photos below for easy ordering of the items needed and doorstep delivery.
In a small dish, stir together equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. I usually mix one tablespoon of each and make up a new batch every couple of days. Cover any left over solution and store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate … the cool temperature will be too uncomfortable when the drops are placed in the ear.
To use the swimmer’s ear drops, use a small dropper to drop a few drops in each ear or wet a piece of cotton ball with the solution and let it sit in the ear for a few minutes then remove the cotton ball.
This simple solution will help prevent swimmer’s ear infections this summer and help keep your little ones healthy!
For more household tips, check out this simple technique for getting rid of the stinky smell in shoes …
… an idea for getting rid of household fruit flies …
… and a tutorial for reusable DIY dryer sheets.
Diane says
July 21, 2016 at 9:03 amI suggest not to do the home made for the years. The reason I say that is because when I was walking and had moved back home I kept getting ear ache. Thinking that the wind was causing it. So I started to use a home remedy and in the end I lost a little bit of my hearing. I really suggest if it happens more than once to go to the doctor.
Bionix Health at Home says
July 29, 2016 at 7:43 amNice recommendation! Have you ever heard of AfterSwim® Water Removal? It is a safe, effective product that quickly removes water from ears to prevent Swimmer’s Ear.
Kylynn Kidd says
June 7, 2018 at 6:30 amOk I will have to try it
Kylynn Kidd says
June 7, 2018 at 6:21 amI have outer ear infections a lot thank you for shareing
Kylynn says
June 7, 2018 at 6:24 amThank you for sharing where do you buy the stuff at ? I need some
Randi Dukes says
June 8, 2018 at 11:14 amYou can find the supplies at any drug store or even a grocery store.
Tami SCHAIBLY says
July 6, 2018 at 7:03 pmI have a daughter on the swim team. We ended up at the urgent care. The Doctor there
told me in the future to use the vinegar & alcohol mixture. He said his parents were both pharmacists
and thats what they had used for their own children.
Later at my daughter’s primary doctors visit I mentioned this to him. He told me that is exactly what he
would suggest using after a swim. Soooo….two doctors same suggestion. I’m going with the Doctors
advice.