Cotton Swab Alternatives
Reduce Reuse Recycle April 24th, 2008[Part of my series on Non-Disposable Alternatives to Disposable Items]
Cotton swabs were invented in the 1920s, and the first brand became known as “Q-tips.” You have them in your house, probably in the bathroom, in a drawer or cabinet. Everyone has them.
Why?
We use them to apply medical creams and ointments, put on make-up, and to clean out our ears.
We did all of these things without cotton swaps until the 1920s, and guess what? We can do without them again!
Cotton Swab Alternative for applying medical creams:
Use a wash cloth. You probably will need one to clean the skin, which most likely has a wound or rash, and another to apply the medical cream or ointment.
Cotton Swab Alternatives for applying cosmetics:
Get yourself some reusable make-up brushes and foam applicators. Your cosmetics will go on easier and better. Wash the brushes and applicators often in mild shampoo.
Cotton Swab Alternative for removing ear wax:
It says right on the box not to stick it in your ear, yet that’s why most people buy them!
That’s not safe–cotton swabs are pointy sticks wrapped up in a bit of bleached cotton fuzz. Please don’t stick them in any orifice.
Instead, use a wash cloth, or:
Use an Ear Wax Extractor.
Unlike the fuzz-covered pointy stick otherwise known as a cotton swab, this object was designed to be safe to put in your ear.
And, it’ll save you money. Q-tips cost $4 for a small box, and you keep having to buy boxes (thus, the real reason behind “disposable”!) The Ear Wax Extractor costs less than $3, and will last so long your great-grandkids could inherit it. And, because it’s metal, they could actually sterilize it and use it themselves, if they were so inclined.
