Abstract: A cotton applicator is disclosed as including a support rod and a cotton pledget disposed on an end thereof with the pledget having forward and rearward sections; the rearward section is about twice the diameter of the forward section with an annular shoulder therebetween whereby the forward section is limited in its penetration into an ear canal by the annular shoulder and the rearward section. The support rod axially extends through the rearward section and partially into the forward section whereby adequate support is provided for each section.