According to my audiologist, Q-Tips can be very damaging, I have been using his recommendation for years and it makes perfect sense.
Lay on one side and fill one ear up to the top with 3% hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes. You will hear a barrage of snap,crackle, and popping. When the popping stops, you'll know that all of the wax has lifted of of the ear parts. Turn over with a cotton ball in the ear and absorb all of the peroxide and associate nasty critters. It is what we use on all dive boats to remove all of the sea critters and extraneous sea water. you be amazed how much crap comes out and how much better your music will sound.
turn over and repeat with other ear.
Warning, make sure not to get any on your shirt or couches/beds, otherwise you will get the same results of bleach or battery acid on your precious Armani Exchange clothes that you saved so hard for. It's a bleach, which is why Marilyn Monroe used it regularly to make her black pubes into blonde ones.
Once a week does the trick, and definitely before meets. It is harmless to your ears and much safer and more effective than Q-Tips.