This cotton wool works well because it can soak up a lot of the water.

When I spoke my voice seemed to come through cotton wool.

On the other hand you don't wrap things up in cotton wool.

Susan got up and took the cotton wool out of her ears.

There was no need to put cotton wool in the ears.

On his desk was a small box filled with cotton wool.

Beautifully kept - each one in its bit of cotton wool.

A wee bit of cotton wool just on the outside.

They kept you wrapped in cotton wool, afraid you'd break.

But wrapping herself in cotton wool goes only so far.