L'Escurette®: the ecological alternative to cotton buds

As you know, since January 2020, France has banned the sale of plastic cotton swabs, which have become a symbol of ocean pollution, notably thanks to the sadly explicit image taken by photographer Justin Hofman in 2016.

I don't know about you, but for me, cotton swabs were a bathroom essential. As part of my zero-waste journey, I needed to find an eco-friendly alternative to keep my ears clean. I also needed a French solution, as I'm committed to supporting the local economy and French initiatives.

Today, I am proud to present the latest addition to our Zero Waste range: the Escurette®, the responsible ear cleaner.

The Escurette® or Mimikaki in Japanese (from mimi, "ear", and kaki, "cleaning") is the ancestor of the cotton swab. It is an instrument used to remove excess earwax.

It is well known to our grandparents and pharmacists, but unfortunately did not survive the plastic boom, and ended up disappearing in the 1960s.

Concerned about the environment, Sylvie and Briac, accompanied by their children, Enora and Hermés, chose to relaunch this artisanal product in 2019 in their family business.

L'Escurette® aims to be hygienic, ecological, economical and fair... What more could you ask for?

The Escurette® is handcrafted and consists of 3 parts: the handle, the shovel and the cap.

The shovel is made of medical stainless steel, by a specialist company located in Orne (61).

The wooden handle and cap are crafted in a Breton woodturning workshop near the Brocéliande forest (a land of legends). With a commitment to the environment, the woods and species used are of French origin and sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Enora explains that beyond its impact on the environment, the use of cotton swabs is unsuitable for ear hygiene and very controversial among many ENT specialists.

Indeed, it increases the risk of earwax buildup, as the wax is pushed deeper into the ear canal instead of being removed. This small stick is the most frequent cause of injuries to the ear canal and eardrum (25 to 30% of ENT consultations), and children, unfortunately, are often the first victims.

Easy to use, simply position the Escurette® scoop at the entrance of your ear to gently remove excess earwax. The ear pick is easily cleaned with soapy water after each use. It is recommended to use it once or twice a week for clean ears.

You too can do your part for the planet by reducing waste, because every little bit helps. Find the French-made Escurette® ear cleaner in our online shop, HERE (shipping included).