Jerome and Jon opined:
I normally use
OLD (very rare and have been unable to find
them any longer) wooden Q-tips.
In the US, try McMaster-Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#cotton-swabs/=o9xphz
And Scott drivels:
Or somewhere that does medical/dental supply. They're used in dental hygiene and
surgery (the cardboard-shafted swabs go weak when they get wet).