How do you take care of wood plugs?
Abigail Rogers
Updated on March 17, 2026
Wood Plug Care 101
- DO wash your plugs with a mild non-chemical soap in case there is any bacteria or dirt on them.
- DO wax your plugs with beeswax on a regular basis.
- DO NOT wear your plugs in the pool, sauna or even the shower.
- DO NOT collect or store your plugs near a heat source or direct sunlight.
Moreover, how do you care for wood plugs?
Care Tips and Tricks for Your Wood Organic Ear Gauges
- Use the right cleaning solution. Apply a bit of liquid soap onto the plugs then carefully rub this into the outside and inside of the ear gauges.
- Try jojoba oil. Pour the oil onto a clean cloth and rub that onto the inside and outside of the plugs.
- Don't soak it.
- Keep them in a good spot.
- Be careful.
Secondly, do wood plugs smell? Wood plugs allow your piercings to breathe. This allows your ears and plugs to collect less dead skin and sebum. This means less odor. Other materials will increase the odor of your ears.
Hereof, are wooden plugs good for your ears?
Any materials that feel rough in your hands are no good for your ears! If you have stone or wood plugs that feel rough on the surface, don't wear them!
Are wood gauges safe?
Bone, Horn, Stone, and Wood They are porous materials and harbor bacteria, which can cause irritation and infection in healing tissue, so only wear them once your stretch or piercing has healed properly.
Related Question Answers
Can you shower with wood plugs?
DO wash your plugs with a mild non-chemical soap in case there is any bacteria or dirt on them. Dial, or tea tree oil will do the trick! DO NOT wear your plugs in the pool, sauna or even the shower. When wood gets wet, it expands and then when it dries, it shrinks again.When can I take my plugs out to clean?
If my stretch went good and my lobes are very tight, I wait 3 days to take the plugs out. If I stretch too soon, or rip my ears, I wait 5-7 days to pull the plugs for a cleaning.How do you make wood ear plugs?
- Measure the diameter of a pair of plugs that currently fit your ears.
- Purchase hardwood dowels from an online supplier or lumber company.
- Cut off two 1-inch sections of wood from the ends of the dowel using the saw of your choice.
- Sand the plugs with fine-grain sandpaper until they are smooth and polished.
How do you clean wood gauges?
To clean wooden pieces (including wooden plugs) all you need is a soft damp cloth and some olive oil. Take the soft cloth like a chamois cloth and make it damp. Then wipe off the wooden jewellery until the dirt and dust is off the wood.How do you clean wooden earrings?
To clean wooden pieces (including wooden plugs) all you need is a soft damp cloth and some olive oil. Take the soft cloth like a chamois cloth and make it damp. Then wipe off the wooden jewellery until the dirt and dust is off the wood.How do you disinfect ear gauges?
Remove any dried skin or crusted matter before cleaning your ear gauges. You can use some clean cottons swab for this. Wash your ear gauges with antibacterial soap no more than one to two times per day. Wash your hands thoroughly.Are silicone plugs bad for your ears?
Silicone is bacteria friendly Ear stretching with silicone can lead to blowouts, bacterial issues including intrusions and infections. Silicone plugs are great for healed stretched piercings and other large piercings because they're so comfy and lightweight.Why are acrylic gauges bad?
Acrylic really isn't a good material to use for stretching, or for wearing in general for that matter. The problem with acrylic is that it can't properly be sterilized, breaks down over time & cracks, & is often toxic, & the heat from your body can cause it to break down & leach those toxins into your skin.Why do gauged ears smell?
The reason your ear gauges smell bad is because they're sitting in your ear. Your skin sheds almost every hour on the hour and all of those dead skin cells are left sitting on the gauge. Thus the stinky smell. To prevent this, a strict cleaning regiment is needed.Can you sleep with tunnels in?
I recommend you sleep with your plugs in your ears. Sleeping without them can cause irritation, dryness, and cracking. (This could just be my preference.) Once your ears completely heal, purchase a pair of wood plugs.What material is best for ear stretching?
Titanium is another choice that is widely considered to be one of the best for ear stretching and for fresh stretches. While similar in feel and appearance to steel, Titanium is lighter and often a better choice for those with sensitive skin.Are wood earrings safe?
Wood jewelry is one of the most comfortable and grounding materials we have available to us, and can be both an aesthetically pleasing and safe material if potential hazards are identified, understood, and avoided.Are acrylic plugs safe to wear?
Acrylic is safe to wear for short periods of time. Acrylic plugs can be worn during the day but should be replaced with steel overnight. Prolonged exposure to acrylic can cause skin irritation.How long should you wait to move up a gauge size?
Because of the fact that everyone's body reacts differently, this answer varies. It is recommended that you wait at least 6 weeks in between stretches. This will give your earlobes time to heal up and become a little loose. However, we recommend that you wait 2-6 months between each stretch.Can silicone tunnels stretch your ears?
Silicone plugs can be super comfortable! The material is very stretchy and soft. But don't be fooled. Although you may think this is a great tool for bunching up into a small ball in order to insert into your stretched ears to go up a size very quickly, this is most likely going to result in over stretching!Do gauges ever stop smelling?
The odor will be stronger while you are stretching your ears. This is because the ear is trying to heal and will produce more sebum and dead skin. When you get to your desired ear gauge you will notice less of an odor. The other part of the smell is the plug itself.What is the white stuff on my gauges?
Dirt, Oil and Lymph Buildup Lymph is a natural body secretion that is sent to an injury site, such as a gauge site, to help the skin heal. Sebum and body oils are present throughout the body, including the area around the ear. If there is a buildup of any or all of these substances, an odor will most likely follow.Why do the back of your ears smell like cheese?
So, neglecting to wash there thoroughly might be the cause of odor behind the ears. Sweat glands are found all over the body, including behind the ears. They secrete perspiration that begins to smell when it comes in contact with bacteria and oxygen. They secrete sebum (oil), a mix of wax and fats that can smell bad.How do I stop my plugs from smelling?
Avoid gauge odor by washing the area two to three times daily with unscented, antibacterial soap and water. Wash both sides of the ear with clean hands; rinse thoroughly. Periodically remove the gauge to allow it to dry thoroughly and get some air.What size gauge will shrink back?
Most professionals in the piercing world suggest going no larger than a 0 gauge, preferably a 2 gauge, if you want your ears to shrink back to standard size. If you stop at this point, you should have no problem with your ears shrinking back.How often should you clean your gauges?
Wash your ear gauges with antibacterial soap no more than one to two times per day. Wash your hands thoroughly. Just to moist the pierced area, you can even use some antibacterial ointment (recommended by your piercing artist) and do a little massage around the the rim of the gauge.How do I make my earlobes not stink?
Prevention- Wash behind the ears during every bath or shower.
- Wipe the area behind the ears with a warm, wet washcloth after intense physical activity.
- Keep ear piercings clean.
- Gently exfoliate the area behind the ears once or twice per week.
- Do not ignore a bad smell, even if there is no pain.
Why do my stretched ears keep crusting?
Crusting after body piercing is perfectly normal—this is just the result of your body trying to heal itself. Dead blood cells and plasma make their way to the surface and then dry when exposed to air. While perfectly normal, these crusties do need to be cleaned carefully and thoroughly whenever you notice them.Why do my gauges feel wet?
While uncommon, stretching with non-porous materials (typically glass) can occasionally result in a condition some piercers refer to as “wet ear.” This is where the skin in contact with the jewelry secretes too much fluid, creating a sticky, moist, “sweaty” layer between the ear and the jewelry.Can I take my gauges out overnight?
There is no steadfast rule on when it is a good idea to start allowing your lobes to relax. We personally believe that at ANY size it is beneficial to leave your plugs out for at least a little while, and that at any size larger than 2 gauge (1/4”) anyone should be able to leave their jewelry out overnight.What material is best for gauges?
Ear Plug Material Choices- Steel: Steel is a smooth, non-porous, easy to clean material considered by most to be an excellent choice for fresh ear stretches.
- Titanium: Titanium is another choice that is widely considered to be one of the best for ear stretching and for fresh stretches.
- Silicone:
- Acrylic:
- Organic:
