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I’m sure most of you have seen or heard of neti-pots, saline nose sprays, or those spray bottles that spray saline wash into your nostrils.
In my opinion, saline wash is a life-saver. Really.
Today I am going to show you how you can easily make these sprays yourself to save a ton of money and hopefully save yourself from needing antibiotics.
I’ve been making saline wash for years.
Literally.
I remember in my 20′s (yikes! – That was a long time ago.), my grandmother buying me some premade nasal spray in a bottle and telling me how helpful it was.
I thought it seemed ridiculous, but then I was brought up in a home where I was given antibiotics for just about any little sniffle or bug.
Hence a lot of the health problems that I deal with today.
You can read more about how much I avoid anti-biotics now in my post “Escape from the Pink Stuff – How We Avoided Antibiotics”.
I will go to great lengths to avoid that stuff. Even though they’re free at our local pharmacy – that “free” comes with a heavy health price tag.
Anyway, as the years went on, I started using different forms of saline washes — and found that they work great!
In fact, am now a self-declared expert in making saline nose wash 
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However, one of the things that bugs me is that you go into your local drug, grocery, or health food store, and buy one of those little neti-pots or saline spray containers, and the give you some little packets of pre-made saline mix to get you started.
Only to have you feel the need to come back and buy more of their little packets.
Well, if you’ve looked at those packets, really the only thing that is in them is….
you guessed it–salt and maybe baking soda.
Pretty simple, eh?
So I decided to figure out how much of each I needed to use in order to avoid the highway-robbery of buying those little packets (not to mention all the extra garbage they generate. Sigh.)
Why Make Your Own Saline Nose Wash
1. It saves a TON of money.
2. Reduce waste from those little packets of saline mix.
3. You can control how much of everything you add easily.
Here’s how to do it:
How to Make Your Own Saline Nose Spray
Ingredients
1 cup (8 oz.) water
1 tsp. salt (you can add more for more “punch” but it does sting)
pinch – 1/8 tsp baking soda
Method
1. Warm the water to a temperature that is as warm as you can tolerate.
2. Add salt and baking soda to your saline container (neti-pot or saline spray bottle).
3. Add water and mix / shake to combine.
4. Follow directions for using your saline wash container.
5. Make sure to rinse out your container after use and leave it open to air dry.
NOTES:
- Use only purified water. Here is really icky documentation of folks who got brain eating amoebas from using tap water. Yuck!
- Use only pure salt like sea salt or my favorite, Real Salt. Table salt has lots of other things like anti-caking agents, silicon dioxide and even sugar sometimes. I don’t want those in my nose, thank you.
- For added sinus-cleansing action, after putting the saline solution into your nose, inhale a bit and hold some of it in your nose for about 10 seconds, and then blow out. I found this technique on my saline bottle’s insert and it supposedly helps the saline solution get into all the nasal cavities.
- What type of bottle or neti-pot to use? I like this brand, but I think they are all good. Personally, I don’t think that the neti-pots work as well since the spraying action seems to get the saline rinse in my sinuses better than the force of gravity.
- Some advise against continual use of saline washes. I found this article interesting. If you use yours year-round, it might not be a good idea.
- I am not a doctor – so don’t use this instead of medical opinion, KO?
If you find yourself in a real pinch and don’t have a saline rinse container, you can mix this up in your hand (of course, make sure it’s clean!) I actually did that for awhile. I had a boss from Russia who said that they would do this all the time with a bunch of warm water and salt. It works but it’s harder to control than the neti pot or spray bottle.
A personal note – and optional additions
Over the past few weeks I have been fighting an illness and I ended up making tons of my own saline nose drops (the stuff you put in neti-pots or saline spray containers, like the one pictured above) with all kinds of variations.
I thought it was allergies, but it turned out to be a doozy of a sinus infection.
Since I was pretty desperate, I added a bunch of different things to my saline bottle to aid in my healing. Here are the possible additives for the nasal rinse that I read about and tried (I tried all except the honey)
- apple cider vinegar (just a drop or two. Don’t make the mistake I did by adding about 1 Tbsp. Ouch!)
- colloidal silver (from a drop to more.)
- grapefruit seed extract (GSE) – this is supposed to be a great anti-viral agent. Just add a few drops.
- essential oils (I tried eucalyptus, frankincense, and rosemary. I am thinking melaleuca or peppermint would be great too. Just a tip – even one little drop of oregano oil is waaaay too strong.) (And yes, I am hoping to post the sequel to Which Essential Oils are Best.)
- xylitol – some say it aids in making the solution non-stinging. It is also supposed to kill candida and since a number of sinus infections are thought to be viral, this might be a help as well.
- Manukka honey – I didn’t try this but I have read it’s an option.
For other DIY personal care ideas, check out:
- Jojoba Face Wash
- Homemade Foaming Soap
- Best Eye Makeup Remover
- DIY Decongestant (like Vicks Vapo-Rub)
- Homemade Sugar Scrub
How about you? Have you used saline sprays?
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer here.
Shared at Diet, Dessert, and Dogs, Today’s Creative Blog, and Not Just a Housewife.
What an amazing photo at the top of your post!
Your additions are a real eye opener for me, thanks. Any tips on getting little ones to use it, by chance??? I used to buy the kids version in the can with the nozzle that “power” shoots. We used to make a game out if it. Both thought it was really funny until they were about 2 or so, then no more.
Hmmm… My allergist had a funny little saline thing that was a fishy attached to a syringe. I can’t find it on the internet so I don’t know where to get it.
Any readers have any ideas? My youngest was asking to use it this time b/c he saw me and my oldest needing it. Funny, huh? A kid begging for a saline wash? I know I have had to be really careful to be gentle so I don’t hurt their ears w/ too much pressure – and also to be excited when the “junk” comes out
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Twitter: rickiheller
says:
I’ve been making my own rinse for years, too. I always add the baking soda for proper pH balance–otherwise I find it really stings. And I’ve only used up to 1/2 tsp per cup of water, but otherwise exactly the same. I’ve taken to boiling my water (even if filtered) since reading about those amoebas, though!!
Ricki recently posted..Mock Tuna Salad from Main Street Vegan
Gross, eh? I use RO water so I think I’m safe
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One of my friends recently told me her 6 year old is still antibiotic free. I think that’s awesome, especially when so many doctors shove them at you.
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Wonderful photos. Found you from Frugal Friday! Thanks for sharing. I try to get my kids to use nose drops and it varies by season. I just bought new bottles (which do not spray up, so not happy.) I should have kept the old ones and refilled them. I think I’m going to wash and sanitize the old ones that work and then try your recipe. Thanks again for sharing some insight on staying healthy this winter!
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After suffering terrible allergies growing up, I’ve made and used my own saline wash for years. The one I make does not include baking soda (although I may try that!), but does include a few drops of essentials oils, such as eucalyptus, menthol, tea tree oil and lavender. And boy – does it work! I haven’t had a sinus infection or cold in about 3 years and although I can still “feel” the allergies, they just don’t seem as bad. Thanks for sharing -
Thanks! I am still fighting this so I am going to try the tea tree.
What is your exact mix of essential oils and what kind do you use if you don’t mind me asking? Do you use just regular tea tree oil or should it be a fancy essential oil? Thanks! I have had horrible sinus problems for 11 years now.
Hi there. Sorry – I’ve been swamped with an icky personal issue and now my son got really sick. I used 2-4 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops rosemary and 1 frankincense. But occasionally I used tea tree as well. I don’t know what you mean about “fancy essential oil” but I am careful to buy quality. Now that I have done my research. There’s a lot of monkey business going on in the industry.
Hey sista…I am right there with you! Suffering from a killer cold and sinus infection on this end for the last 3 days. A little better today. Oh boy, I was a hot mess yesterday.
So just a few comments/thoughts
So I used to get sinus infections 7 or 8 times a year (usually brought on by terrible allergies that I suffered from years long). It all started when I turned 20 and moved a few hours away here in California (a few hours south I should say) to the Central Valley. Now, if any of your readers are from Northern California, they KNOW the horrific allergies that can come with this region. It was the combination of agriculture, smog, other pollutants, and pollen that put my body into a tail spin (until 6 years later after I was diagnosed with Crohns). Anyway, I was put on antiobiotics each time I got a sinus infection. I didn’t know any better. I think back and cringe.
After my Crohns diagnoses I stopped eating dairy and gluten (and soy, cane-sugar, etc). And my allergies vastly improved!
I still get allergies but only twice a year: during the spring and for some reason during this time (the fall) – probably Candida related. I now let these things run their course and do just about everything you mentioned above (I used to take colloidal silver and I still do a little of the oregano oil..but that stuff is so nasty it’s hard to ingest as an oil, they have caps, but they all contain soy, so I started making my own caps of oregano oil and cinnamon oil).
I like my Neti pot, but only use it 1x per day when I have an infection. Once I overused it and it made things worse. I’ve been thinking about putting some GSE in my Neti, so your post was a good reminder to try!
I actually drink 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 5 ounces of water 3x each day with an infection and it helps zap it (it killed my strep throat last month within 4 days)!
I also do ACV and eucalyptus is a must at night. As you know I heal my kiddos at home when they are ill, and never take them in for a cold or flu. They will just leave with some useless antibiotic. Many of these simple techniques can really ease the discomfort of a cold/sinus infection. Many teas are so helpful such as chamomile! And I have to say, eucalyptus works wonders at night opening the nasal passages!
Other things I do for me when ill with cold/sinus infections:
1. Sleep in a sitting position. I know this sounds crazy, but I sleep on the couch literally sitting up. This helps move the phlegm away from my head/face.
2. Drink a lot of water
3. Stop ingesting most forms of sugar (all sweeteners, and most high fructose fruits), some grains are okay, but the point it so keep the sugar away from the bacteria!
4. I take double vitamin C (I use a buffered variety that is gentle on my stomach).
5. No caffeine – even in teas! I drink 1 or 2 cups of gentle teas such as Red Raspberry Leaf and Rooibos.
6. I also take probiotics
7. Rest, rest, and rest the first few days, then gentle walking and increased movement to get the blood moving and phlegm out!
8. Thyme oil caps are FANTASTIC! Just be sure to read warnings- herbs are powerful.
Okay, wow, this was a long comment. Just had to chime in as I’m also feeling under the weather.
Have a great rest of your weekend, Adrienne…and I hope that YOU are feeling well (better).
Hugs,
–Amber
amber recently posted..Rainy Saturday Morning Hot "Cocoa" (vegan, dairy free, cane-sugar free)
Thank you, Amber! The GSE comment is very interesting. I used to use that for candida, but then I heard about some processing issues. Not sure what to think. I have been almost allergy free but it seems this was a bad infection or something brewing. Very disconcerting, honestly. I feel so weak to have succumbed like this.
Can I ask where you are buying your capsules? I was told to get bovine ones to avoid processing issues there as well.
Thanks!! I am off to check out your hot cocoa post now
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Hi Adrienne,
I will have to look into the GSE – did not know about the processing issues. Here is what I use:
http://www.mynaturalmarket.com/Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-Liquid-Concentrate.html?gclid=CILOjorq17MCFSXZQgodah8Avg
I’m so sorry to hear you’re not well. It sounds like you’re pretty sick lady!! Sending healing vibes your way.
And as far as the capsules…I purchased mine so long ago (at my local Natural Foods Coop), so I don’t even remember the brand. They came in a plastic bag with a white label (I do remember that). I transferred them into a glass jar after purchasing. They have lasted forever. If I come across the brand I will let you know…but like the GSE, I did not know there was an issues with processing. Something else for me to research.
Get better!
Hugs,
–Amber
amber recently posted..Super Easy Homemade Cranberry Apple Jelly/Sauce (cane-sugar free) with Vegan and SCD Options
This is what someone told me about capsules: “100% Kosher Bovine capsules — you don’t want the veggies because of the toxins.” So maybe we could both try to find these at a good price
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Thanks for the tips and recipes Adrienne. I use the store bought ones often. I have a lot of health problems I have allergies and have sinus infections often.
I found you on Sundae Scoop. I plan on coming back to read more of your articles.
Good to know about the distilled water. I’ve read this recipe before and I got a free neti pot but now I’ll be using distilled water lol!
Miranda recently posted..Young Love and Marriage
I boil my water and put in a gallon jug. After hearing about the brain eating amoebas, I started boiling my water. I also spray my nasal injector with lysol once a month.
This is a very interesting post! My family and I are really blessed not to suffer from colds or flu very often, so I’ve never used a saline nose wash, but should I ever need one I will definitely bear your advice – and this helpful recipe – in mind.
Hi April! I haven’t been sick in so long – but this one has really been a doozy. Take care!
hello! adrienne – next time you get sick get your hands on some monolaurin. or better yet, get it before so you can nip it in the bud when you feel like you are coming down with something. it’s an extract of the lauric acid component in coconut oil. it penetrates the lipid coating of bacteria and viruses and croaks them dead. google it; you’ll find good stuff.
my husband and i tsp of salt? that sounds like a LOT. there’s not nearly that much in each packet. ??? sometimes my husband will use two packets (maybe 1/4 tsp total between the two) and that’s almost too much for him. i cannot imagine using a whole teaspoon…. hth! anja
Thanks – I’ll check it out. I don’t know abt the salt – I’ve used even more than that and it really helps get the ick out
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just for haha’s, i measured the packet this morning. between the salt and baking soda, it’s 1/4 tsp total. since it’s something my husband does every day, maybe it’s best to leave it at 1/4 tsp unless he has an issue?
i did read the article you linked re: perhaps not doing it every day due to increased incidence of sinus infections. that has not been the case here. my husband used to get 2 to 3 every year until i convinced him to try sinus flushing. that was over 4 years ago and he has not had a sinus infection since. in fact, he gets into trouble right away with stuffiness if he does NOT flush every day. i hope you are feeling better! anja
Thanks – yes the article was interesting, huh? I don’t know what to think. Maybe every other day?
. I’d leave it lower if I were you if he’s doing it everyday. When I had really bad sinus issues I would use a TON and it really helped. Stung, but it helped.
Thank you so much for this very useful info. My daughter suffered through a terrible cold and 2 rounds of antibiotics and still had awful sticky green goop coming out of her nose, until someone told be to try a saline spray. Her infection cleared in less than 3 days! I was amazed. I just had one question. Once you make the solution, how long does it keep?
Thanks again. Hope you’re feeling better.
I use it immediately. If you need less, just make less. I am. I am really curious about what happened to me but I am suspicious about heavy metals and their possible implication in all of this. Thanks!
The first time I did this I was very skeptical about it working, but I was also desperate. Since I didn’t think it would work I wanted to go cheap. I went to the drug store and bought one of those baby medicine droppers, the bigger kind and mixed up my own solution with sea salt and water. It worked so well it turned me into a believer. Now I do not do this all the time, call me crazy but shooting salted water into my sinus passages is just not something I look forward to doing, but when I need it I know what to do. So my cost in this “neti pot” this is $1.99, because I already had the sea salt in my kitchen.
Great to hear it!
Thanks so much for this! I did personally find the full teaspoon a bit intense for my sinuses, so I may go for the half next time, but this was super helpful since paying $20 for saline refills just isn’t going to cut it for me anymore. Cheers!!
Feels great to save in such a simple way, doesn’t it?
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I discovered sinus rinsing about the time when I was dealing with off and on sinusitis. After sitting up all night not being able to sleep from intense pain, I discovered posts about cayenne pepper on EarthClinic. Desperate, I used a pinch of cayenne in with my rinse…gotta admit for a minute the pain was actually worse but within MINUTES the sinusitis pain subsided and I was able to sleep.
Normal rinsing really helps during allergy season but if feel sinuses might be getting bad I use the tiniest pinch of cayenne in with rinse and have not had sinusitis in two years.
Great tip – thanks!!!
Wonderful article. I had just been using tap water, but will now use boiled since I read about the ameobas (spelling?). I use 1/2 tsp sea salt & pinch of baking soda
Thank you so much!
So wish I had read the entire post before making some and using it on myself and son. I used hot tap water and now I’m freaking out about the brain eating amoeba. I can’t even bring myself to watch the documentary. Boiling water now to make a new batch.
Blech. I know. No amoebas for me either.
I used to hear from my old people that they use clear lemon juice directly sniffed in the nose to help fighting cold and sinus infections.
I tried it my self ,well it will burn your brain like hell, though I applied it once more for how relieving it was.
wishing all people healthy and happy life
Hmmm….well I don’t know about how safe that would be but when I get a bad one I am willing to go through pain to get rid of it.
This is great! I wish I could do a saline nose wash but I am very funny about water in my nose, I just don’t think I could do it. My husband can though, so I printed this out. Do you have any tips on using this for toddlers? I guess drops would be the best…
For toddlers, I found that the small saline bottles worked best. There are syringes, but they never worked with my kids. That’s an Amazon affiliate link, by the way.
Thanks so much! I love that you responded to all 3 of my questions today! I know bloggers are super busy (which is why I can never seem to get one up and running even though I am a writer!) but I hate when my comment goes into comment abyss and I never heard back. So its refreshing that you actually wrote back! And thanks for the link, you deserve whatever small affiliate kickback you may get with all of this *wonderful* info you put together for us!
You are too kind! I am swamped but believe me, there are comments in the abyss. I need to work my way through them. Some are odd, some contentious and others have lots of links in them and I am trying to sort out what to do w/ them. Thanks!