Cotton bud with ear wax embedded in fibres, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A cotton bud is a small stick with a cotton swab at one or both ends. It is used as a cleaning tool for ears but has many other uses including beauty, cosmetics, household cleaning, pet care, baby care, cleaning surfaces all types of surfaces and first aid. Magnification: x34 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.