Advice on cleaning cat's ears?

My cat Alice has had multiple ear infections this year (the latest one itched so badly that she injured herself trying to scratch it) so my vet gave me some ear cleaning solution to use once she's done with the antibiotics and I bought gauze to put it on. I'm cleaning both her ears once a week to prevent more ear infections.

We cleaned her ears for the first time tonight. She fought us pretty hard and I didn't feel like I got the large amount of gunk out that the vet did when he demonstrated. Has anyone done this before and do you have any tips for ear cleaning? Right now I'm putting the solution on the gauze then putting the gauze in her ear. I rub her ear then take and gauze out and dry her ear.

Any help would be appreciated!

They (the cats) always cooperate better for the Vet than they do for US.  I use a piece of cotton ball rather than gauze, simply because I think it's softer.  That's my only advise.  Maybe if you can somehow train her that if she's a good girl and let's you do this, she will get a yummy treat when she's done, she'll get better and better about holding still.  That CAN be done, with perserverence. 

Oh, and I don't think you  need to dry her ear afterwards, do you?  Just put the solution on the cotton or gauze, then a quick swipe in the ear and you're done, I would think.

Thanks so much for the advice!

Yup, she's all, YOU ARE NOT THE VET YOU CAN'T CLEAN MY EAR LET ME GO.

The vet said to dry her ear, I'll look into it more to see if it's really necessary or just their habit. 

Love the idea of giving her a treat afterwards! She's so food driven, that might really work. 

The idea of a cotton ball made me nervous because I've never done this before and thought maybe I'd get a cotton ball stuck in her ear.   If it makes her less upset, I will steel my nerves and try it.

Not a WHOLE cotton ball, maybe tear one in half