Commercial ear cleaners have several properties built in to help reduce debris and moisture in the ears, and are safe when directed by your veterinarian. Yeast and bacteria like warm and damp environments, so the ear is a perfect haven for them to create madness. Commercial ear cleaners are designed to clean the ear and dry any excess moisture from the ear canal. A DIY that has come through the channels is using vinegar (white or apple cider) as an ear cleaner to help resolve ear infections or as a regular cleaner. Vinegar (with or without water) as an ear cleaner prevents the ear from actually drying by adding moisture to the ear, creating a perfect environment for bacteria or yeast to multiply. Dogs create tiny cuts in their ears when they scratch. Their ears are already sore and inflamed because of their infections, adding vinegar (diluted or not) would be painful for them. Before putting anything in your dog’s ear, make sure their ear drum is healthy. Your veterinarian should perform an exam with an ‘otoscope’ to see inside the ear and visualize the ear drum.