Before using a cotton swab (a small stick with a bit of cotton wound on either end), I usually want to twist the cotton a bit to tighten it onto the end of the stick. This is to prevent it from unravelling and leaving bits of cotton in my orifices, and so I know which way to turn it as I'm using it to keep it twisted tightly. (This habit may just be me being obsessive, but I think not.)

They always seem to be made, however, by holding the cotton stationary at both ends and twisting the stick, or by holding the stick stationary and winding the cotton in the *same* direction at both ends. This means that, like a cough drop wrapper that you can open by pulling on both ends at the same time, the cotton at one end winds clockwise (relative to its end), and the other end winds counterclockwise. So when tightening the cotton I never know which direction it should go, and I have a 50% chance of actually loosening it and making the situation worse.

I propose a simple arrow printed on the stick pointing around its circumference, to indicate the proper direction of winding. The change in manufacturing will be minimal and my world will be immensely more organized.
-- Etymon, Dec 30 2004

Tiny cotton candies would probably sell well.
-- FarmerJohn, Dec 30 2004


That was so well described for such a tiny little detail! Seems practical, so have a croissant*

*with an arrow on it indicating which way it was rolled.
-- phundug, Dec 30 2004


Surely the solution is to stand on your head when using the swab in one ear, and on your partner's feet when using it in the other ear. I presume that it is ears we are discussing here?
-- Basepair, Dec 30 2004



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