I use Oticalm to clean Lady's ears. It was recommended to me years ago by a vet tech. Maltese are prone to ear infections because of their drop ears, but I have never had a problem with Lady.
Oticalm (12 oz)
I do pluck the ear hair, but you almost always have to with a Maltese. The key is to only pluck the hair right inside the ear canal. If you use a little ear powder and your fingertips, it pulls out really easily. Forcibly pulling out the hair on the ear flap with hemostats is what can cause inflammation and irritation.
I've never heard of Chlorhexiderm for ears. Lady is prone to staph skin infections because of her allergies so I use Chlorhexiderm shampoo.