Periodically, I dip each ear in my Ultrasonic record cleaner bath and it is far superior to any audiophile Q-tip. Caution: do keep your ear in the U/S bath for any longer than 5 minutes at a time, and be sure to change the ultrasonic bath water before cleaning any records. (Ear wax in record grooves may prove problematic, both to your vinyl records and to your cartridge stylus.)