Relatively new to the actual forums but not entirely to BAF. Just thought I would share my little discovery in the never ending quest to reduce sebum/ear funk/smelly cheese...whatever you may call it. I've found that a little tea tree oil massaged into the lobes while cleaning helps to keep things nice and bacteria free (which we all know is the actual source for the smelly part of sebum, bacteria eating those apparently delicious fat cells.) In my experience it has done away with the sebum issue almost entirely.

If you're the curious sort this is because tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and has successfully been used as such for practically ever by the aboriginal peoples of Australia. And, imo, it smells really nice too!

Hope this helps some people and if anyone knows of a reason why this might not be such a great solution, please share...as far as the research I've done it seems to be a-okay but you never know.

I think it's WAY too harsh on it's own for most people.  But I believe if you diluted it with a little jojoba or emu oil that it would be great!

Oh yes, I completely agree. I forgot to mention that I use emu oil as well which helps dilute and cut down the harshness of the tea tree oil. And for those who aren't familiar, you can actually buy diluted tto in varying degrees of strength.

 I just wear wood jewelry.  have no problem

Yup, I've heard that wearing wood jewlery works well (so note that anyone who likes wood) but I guess the tea tree oil tip would be more for people like me who tend to preffer the look of metal jewlery.

I am really allergic to tea tree oil, so that is not a good idea for me. It makes my skin really angry

How do you know the tto is not just burning up all your olfactory cells???  lmao j/k

Does it need diluting, even if you're using it while washing?  Or is it for right after?  I hate that I have so much and it may go to waste.. if that's possible..

I'm sure you can use emu afterward to help with the dryness?  I'm going to try this tomorrow.  Got my new pretties in and I want my ears to be funk-free!

If you're using it while washing meaning with water then no, I would think the water would be enough to dilute it.

I usually clean, put a little tto, massage a little, put on some emu oil, massage and then I'm ready to go. I haven't had any problems with drying but I know tto can do that when its at full strength.

Someone did mention using a tto soap which could be a good alternative if using the oil alone is too daunting. I haven't personally tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't be effective.

.......you cant dilute an oil with water...

 It should probably be diluted in almond oil first.  Just enough so that the smell doesn't singe your nose hairs. 

As far as diluting an oil with water, you're right, its not going to happen in the strictly chemical sense but if you're planning on applying the oil whilst washing a "dilution" is going to happen. We're not talking about diluting an entire container of tea tree oil, just what is currently going on your skin.

And lavender oil is an alternative to the almond oil, depends on your scent preference.

actually, when i take my plugs out for a cleaning, before i put them back in a do a bit of a rub with the naked oil. makes my ears feel great and really cuts down on the funk.

anne_713:

actually, when i take my plugs out for a cleaning, before i put them back in a do a bit of a rub with the naked oil. makes my ears feel great and really cuts down on the funk.

Miss Cicely:

anne_713:

actually, when i take my plugs out for a cleaning, before i put them back in a do a bit of a rub with the naked oil. makes my ears feel great and really cuts down on the funk.

lol I came back to this thread to recommend naked oil.  I have some and I was reading the label and I saw it had tea tree oil in it.

teah...its got the tea tree oil smell. thats for sure. it still cracks me up when i do a rub and my bf will go to hug me and get a big whiff of it...i think he is slowly getting used to it