The first ear bud was made by securing a piece of cotton onto the end of a toothpick.
Dab the cotton swab in some makeup remover to remove eyeliner, eyeshadow or mascara smudges.
Leo Gerstenzang, who created the prototype during the 1920s, after observing his wife make the first one, decided to market the brand under the name Baby Gay Q-tips.
Since then, we’ve found so many uses for the cotton tip.
Cleaning
1. Over a period of time, detergent and fabric softener residue form a layer of build up in your washing machine compartments.
The best way to clean these cubicles is to reach in with an ear bud.
2. Using soap water and cotton swabs will eliminate the dirt and grime from the fins of your home and car air conditioning ducts.
3. Remove dust from the corners of windows, picture frames and statutes etc.
4. Dust and makeup often gets trapped in the corners and grooves of the medicine cabinet.
Using an ear bud to clean your cabinet will get rid of the build-up.
5. To pick up the dust from your computer’s key board, run an ear bud in between the keys. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto the tip to kill any bacteria.
To pick up the dust from your computer’s key board, run an ear bud in between the keys.
This also works well with DVD players, cameras, radios and other electronic devices.
Personal care
6. Apply ointments and soothing balms to minor cuts and bruises.
7. Clean in between your baby’s toes, neck folds and outer ear with a moist ear bud.
Beauty
8. Excess nail polish that bleeds onto the cuticle can be removed by simply dabbing the ear bud into a bit of nail polish remover.
Ear buds make the perfect paintbrushes for little hands.
9. Dip the cotton swab in some makeup remover to remove eyeliner, eyeshadow or mascara smudges.
10. Carrying a bottle of perfume in your handbag can sometimes be an inconvenience, especially when you’re dealing with glass.
Saturate a few ear buds with your favourite perfume, then seal them in a plastic bag.
When you need to freshen up, simply apply the swabs to your pressure points – the scent will last for hours.
Arts and crafts
11. Ear buds make the perfect paintbrushes for little hands.
Your kids can paint the brightest pictures, using a different ear bud for every new colour - and clean up will be easy.
12. Ear buds can be used to apply glue to small models and other craft projects. Use the one end to apply the glue and the other end to remove any excess glue.
DIY touch ups
13. Touch up paint jobs or dab a bit of epoxy resin to hide scratches on wood furniture.
