LastSwab Reusable Cotton Bud

Last updated: 5 October 2026

How the LastSwab reusable cotton bud works

Instead of cotton, each end has a soft tip made from TPE, a flexible rubber-like plastic. It does not soak anything up, so after each use you rinse it under warm water, with a little soap if it needs it. Dry it and it goes back in the case.

The stem is polypropylene, and LastObject rates the recycled plastic case to last five years or more.

What to use it for

LastObject pitches the Original for the outer ear and detail work, and for the jobs a cotton bud does in a make-up bag: tidying eyeliner, nail art and cleaning small gaps.

LastObject says to clean the outer ear only and never push any swab deep into the ear canal. The NHS earwax guidance goes further and says not to use cotton buds to remove earwax, because it pushes the wax further in.

Original or Beauty

LastObject makes three versions: the Original for ears and detail work, the Beauty for precise make-up, and the Baby, which has a shorter stem and a smaller tip.

On 5 October 2026 the Beauty had no buy button on Amazon UK, while the Original was in stock at £8.99. If you specifically want the Beauty, check the LastObject store.

Environmental impact

LastObject commissioned a lifecycle study to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. It found the LastSwab has 8.3 times less environmental impact than single-use cotton buds across 22 measures, including carbon, water and land use. By LastObject's figures, it breaks even after 35 uses.

Key facts

• Price: £8.99 on Amazon UK on 5 October 2026, shipped by Amazon
• Tips: TPE, rinse clean after each use
• Stem: polypropylene
• Case: ocean-bound plastic
• Lifespan: more than 1,000 uses, according to LastObject
• Designed in: Copenhagen, launched on Kickstarter in 2019
• Rating: 4.2 out of 5 from 10,362 ratings on Amazon UK

Who it suits

• People who wear make-up every day: one LastSwab covers the buds you would otherwise use for corrections.
• Travellers: one bud in a case replaces a box of disposables in the wash bag.
• Anyone cutting bathroom waste: it is a single swap with a visible effect on the bin.

Our LastSwab review covers what it is like to use day to day. For more swaps like it, see the carbon conscious gift guide.

The limits

The TPE tip does not absorb liquid, so it will not soak up make-up remover or nail polish remover the way cotton does.

It needs rinsing after every use, which a disposable bud does not.

At £8.99 it costs more up front than a pack of paper buds. By LastObject's figures, it pays its environmental cost back after 35 uses.

Where to buy it in the UK

Amazon UK listed the LastSwab Original at £8.99, shipped by Amazon. The LastObject LastSwab page shows the colours, the Beauty version and the lifecycle study.

LastSwab Original on Amazon UK

FAQs

How much is a LastSwab?

The LastSwab Original was £8.99 on Amazon UK on 5 October 2026.

How do you clean a LastSwab?

Rinse it under warm water after each use, with a little soap if needed, then dry it and put it back in its case.

Can you use a LastSwab to clean your ears?

Only the outer ear. LastObject says never to push any swab deep into the ear canal, and the NHS advises against using cotton buds to remove earwax.

How long does a LastSwab last?

LastObject says more than 1,000 uses, which is roughly three years of daily use.

What is the difference between LastSwab Original and Beauty?

The Original is for ears and detail work. The Beauty has a tip shaped for precise make-up.

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