Struggling with sinus issues? This Homemade Saline Nasal Spray is just what you need. Neti Pots and Saline Nasal Sprays are a great way to treat them, but buying those pre-made salt packets will break the bank.
Here's how to feel better fast and save money while you're doing it!
Sinus issues are the worst.
I have somewhat narrow sinus passages, so whenever I get any kind of sickness that involved my nose, I get plugged up bad.
Now, you can use nose sprays for things like that, but they often can create a rebound issue where you get MORE plugged up after stopping.
No thanks!
Many years ago, I heard about using saline for sinus relief.
Well, let me tell you, it works.
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, homemade saline solution in a nasal spray bottle 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 stay well.
Why I Started Using Saline
When I was younger, I saw saline spray bottles in the store. My grandmother recommended that I try Ocean® Brand, which she said helped her immensely.
I personally never saw benefits from that kind of thing after trying it once or twice, but that all changed years later.
I was working at a small insurance agency. My boss was from Russia and we at times enjoyed talking about health issues.
At one point, I got quite sick with a cold and my nose, in typical fashion, got very stuffed up (I have very narrow nasal passages, so I get pretty miserable pretty quickly from colds and such).
Anyhow, one day at work we started talking about sinus issues and my boss bought up saline washes. I told him that they never worked for me, and he proceeded to tell me how they used to do it in Russia.
This is what they would do....
Russian Basic DIY Saline:
- put some warm water in your hand
- dump some salt in the water
- breathe the mixture in
- inhale further insuring that the saline mixture goes back to fill the sinus cavities
- hold the saline for about 10 seconds
- blow the saline out
I was intrigued, and tried it.
And it worked -- amazingly well, though the salt stung pretty bad sometimes.
Anyhow, I figured if I could apply that technique to a saline bottle, then I would have something very helpful, and more user-friendly than a hand full of salt water!
So --
I went to the store, bought a starter kit for a saline wash and was on my way.
And I have to say, this has made my narrow-sinus issues at least a little more bearable.
Anyway, as the years went on, I started using different forms of saline washes--and found that they work great! And I've used them ever since.
In fact, I am now kind of a self-declared expert in making homemade saline solution.
Why Make Your Own
One of the things that bugs me is that when you go into your local drug, grocery, or health food store, and buy a neti-pot or saline spray wash, they give you little packets of pre-made saline mix to get you started.
However, then 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....
--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.)
The benefits of all of this?
1. Save a TON of money.
2. Reduce waste from those little packets of saline mix.
3. Control how much of everything you add easily.
Instructions for Use
- Use only purified water (see How to Make Your Tap Water Safe). 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 to be quite interesting. If you use yours year-round, keep in mind that it might not be a good idea.
- Water Temperature - I prefer my water a little warmer than just lukewarm as it seems to help the salt dissolve better, but please take care to not overheat the water.
- 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 the "Russian" way. Just make sure your hand is really clean :).
When to Use
- When you have a cold
- To clean out sinuses to support your body so are less likely to have a cold take root
- As a natural allergy help
- To moisten sinus passages in dry weather
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 one drop if you try this since it's really really strong!
- xylitol - some say it aids in making the solution non-stinging. It is also supposed to be helpful against bacteria and viruses. In fact, there are Xylitol Nose Sprays on the market now. (Source)
- Manuka honey - I didn't try this but I have read works great as a natural way to kill germs, etc.
More DIY Personal Care Products
If you like this formula for a saline wash, you'll love these DIY products too!
- Jojoba Face Wash - yes, you can wash your face with oil!
- Homemade Foaming Soap - saves TONS of money and works great!
- Best Eye Makeup Remover - I tested a bunch and this was the best one!
- DIY Decongestant (like Vicks Vapo-Rub) - skip the toxins and save money with this simple formula
- Homemade Sugar Scrub - super nourishing!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz.) water
- 1 tsp natural salt (you can add more for more "punch" but it does sting. I use Real Salt)
- 1/8 tsp (pinch) baking soda
Instructions
- Warm the water to a temperature that is as warm as you can tolerate (of course, this is a subjective term. The water should not be so hot as to damage your nasal passages. See notes below.)
- Add salt and baking soda to your saline container (neti-pot or saline spray bottle).
- Add water and mix / shake to combine.
- Follow directions for using your saline wash container.
- Make sure to rinse out your container after use and leave it open to air dry.
How about you? Have you used saline sprays before?
I tried the packets that come with the nasle starter pack with my sinus infection. It worked although when I used the sea salt it worked a lot better. Burned like he'll for a min l but ok have to say I had never seen so much crap come out of me.... lol
Glad the DIY cheaper version worked better!
What does the baking soda do to the nasal saline rinse? Why do you add this?
Thank you.
J. J.
It tempers the intensity of the salt.
This is great and all but I’d love to see a recipe for a bulk batch of rinse. I’m not going to be measuring this out one shot at a time for my son and then myself two times a day. Thanks for posting though!
Thanks - you could just double or triple it. Just don't leave it hanging around for too long!
I too have used saline rinse for years, but I see that the "recipe" for saline wash varies widely.
One source says "only pure salt" another "bottled or pure water" another "tap water"
Well, here is what works for me. This is based on my years going to the beach at Nags Head, NC.
Swimming in the ocean, guarantees you will get a snootfull of sea water, and it can burn, but your sinuses will be clear. What does this teach us, you ask?
Sea water has elements in it like iodine and others, so table salt should be OK, as long as you stay away from those with additives, I recommend sea salt.
Mix one half teaspoon salt with one half teaspoon baking soda.
Boil water for several minutes and add to salt/ soda mixture. At least 8 oz.
Allow salt/soda mixture to cool. (I use it at lukewarm temp)
I use a squeeze bottle from an irrigation kit.
Standing over a sink ,squeeze water into one nostril and allow to flow out of the other.
Switch to the other and do the same. You can snort the water up into your nose to get it into deep sinuses.
It can be messy, but it works.
I would be very very careful using unfiltered water b/c people have gotten amoebas in their brain from using unfiltered. Thanks for reading and for sharing, however!
How long can the saline solution last in a glass bottle dropper?
Hi there. Anything w/ a water base is subject to getting contaminated w/ bacteria so I wouldn't keep it outside the fridge and in the fridge maybe 4 days max but I can't make shelf life claims. Thanks! It's pretty easy to mix up whenever you need it.
I was given this method of using saline nasal solution by my Otolaryngologist after sinus surgery. Works great at getting the solution into the upper sinus cavities above the eyes.
This is best to do in the shower after you have been in and breathing the steam.
I make sure to have already rinsed my hair but not yet washed my face.
Stand with your head back as far as possible. (You can also get onto your knees if you don't feel you can do while standing). Squirt the solution into your nose while you block your throat with your tongue. Pinch the nose and lift your head then lean over at the waist as far a step possible with your head down. (Top of your head should be toward the bottom of the tub). Being careful to not lean your head one way or the other or the solution can move into your ear causing possible inner ear trouble. Stay in the inverted position as long as you can. Carefully and slowly stand upright lifting your head then gently blow your nose being careful not to get into your mouth. Wash your face and hands.
I do this only after I have finished with my hair. When rinsing your hair you usually lean your head back while turning side to side. This action could cause any solution still in the nasal cavities to drain into your ears.
You can also lay on your back on the bed with your head over the edge and spray the solution into your nostrils. When finished plug your nose and sit straight up being careful not to lean on way or the other since solution can move to the ear canal. Have plenty of tissues ready. Gently blow your nose and wash your hands.
Another position you can try is sitting on a chair/toilet and follow same directions as in the shower. Lean back, insert solution, pinch nose and lean over with top of your towards floor. Your nose will leak so have tissues handy.
I cannot stress enough to not turn your head in either direction as solution can and will drain into the ear canal and cause inner ear issues.
Great advise and recipe. I have been purchasing mine , but in a pinch DIY. I have also stumbled onto Xylitol. I call it my "nose miracle" as I haven't had a sinus problem since starting this over 2 years ago. When short on time, I bite the bullet and spend $12 on 1.5oz (Xlear - highway robbery), otherwise I whip it up myself.
I moved to Richmond, VA in 2003 and have had at least one, usually 2-4 infections each year sice. It is much more than an anti-viral - there are many articles online you can read, but it also prevents things from sticking around in there as well as getting what is stuck - mucus, slime, burgers, etc. out. Can not praise it enough.
Where do you buy sea salt?
I have a link in the post to the salt I regularly use. Hope it works for you and please let me know if you don't see it.
Is there a shelf-life - time table, for storing this stuff?? Can I just make a batch of this and stored in a old nasal spray bottle and use it as a daily nasal spray or is this just a daily recipe?
I don't recommend storing any water based product for any length of time due to bacterial growth possibilities. I believe I read that 4 days is the limit but I never store the saline. I make it fresh every time.
Hello,
I don't have a baking soda so can I use baking powder instead.?
No, I wouldn't do that -- you would be putting starch into your nose. You could do the plain salt.
Most supermarkets have baking soda. It's very common. Do not use baking powder.
I think she didn't want to go to the store, but yes you are correct :).
In the UK 'Baking Soda' is called 'Bicarbonate of Soda' or 'Sodium Bicarbonate' (NaHCO3).
It is very similar in French: Bicarbonate de Soude' but in German: 'Backsoda'.
We have Baking Powder in the UK, e.g. Dr.Oetker Baking Powder - Ingredients:
Raising Agents (E 450 (Diphosphates), E 500 (Sodium Carbonates)), Maize Starch
Sorry for the double post, I wanting to add something about baking soda. It's a preservative/PH buffering agent. I literally just made some Hydromorphone [Dilaudid] nasal spray and added 3 pinches of sea salt, 3 pinches of baking soda to adjust the PH with distilled water. You have to filter the binders from the tablets for better absorption. It's very easy to do with some research. I'm not going into detail as I'm not a Dr. just lots of trial and error, haha. I hope this post helps anyone with pain issues that needs this class of meds. Kava kava and turmeric are great for pain also far as natural goes! Sorry for my rant, thanks.
Hi there...are you saying that you used the kava and turmeric in your spray? I'm confused. Thanks.
Hi, I used manuka honey for a nasty H pylori infection I had in my stomach. It's good stuff, and tastes amazing! Only downside is it's pretty pricey [around $30 The BEST nnatural antibiotic is MASTIC GUM500mg twice daily, preferrably from Chios island [Greece]. I'm Greek too btw and I SWEAR by those 2! Take care, love your site. Peace
Would Himalayan salt work?
Yes, you can use that.
Hi,
maybe it's not a great idea to put iron oxide, cadmium or algae into your nose:
https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/salt2.htm
Eating that is also not the best (my opinion).
Thanks for the article.
Hi there. Sorry for the late response to your comment. Actually I have no problem with some algaes and I actually love spirulina (you can see more in this post): https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-allergy-remedies/
Iron oxide--looks to me from other sites that it's naturally occurring. I don't have a problem necessarily with that. In fact many are deficient in iron. As for cadmium, I think you read that wrong b/c I don't see that in the article. Thanks for reading!
Thank you, I don't want to buy the saline solution in the stores, cause I don't know what is really in them. I like to make natural homemade thing.
Thanks for this. I came here looking for how much salt to add. I use 1 tsp sea salt in 4 oz water for a sinus flush and get no burn. Maybe regular table salt burns more.
I "winged" it after forgetting my doctor's directions... 1 tsp sea salt in half cup water - doesn't burn. I use an ear syringe, lie on bed with head hanging over with nasal openings straight up (holding a few paper towels) and fill sinuses with about 25 ml - some drains down throat. Hold it in for a minute or two, then hold paper towels over nose and get up, go to sink and let it drain. After a few minutes, I nose and can hear it in my ears, which I don't think happened when I did this years ago. I modified the saline mix with 10 drops of 2% iodine tincture in 4 oz solution (not decolorized or the kind with ammonia or acetone in it), AND because of long term problems with mould, I let four 500,000 units of nystatin (topical antifungal) dissolve in solution. Got to stir/swirl it around just before pulling it into syringe. Now I don't need the Dristan stuff and when I eat normal amounts of sugar or cut grass my sinuses don't swell up (they did a bit yesterday after 12 pancakes/syrup, large orange juice, and a piece cake, but okay now). Makes it so I have more energy too. Had forgetten about this flush out method - MUCH better than the nasal spray. I also put some of this in an old nasal spray bottle. Rinsing sinuses twice a week does fine - maybe spray a couple times a day.
What brand of iodine tincture and nystatin topical because I don't want to get the wrong kind.
Nystatin is already a brand name.
would it still work if your blow your nose immediately after using the saline, or does that defeat the purpose.
I hold it in for 10 seconds to aid in cleaning my sinuses but any application should have some beneficial aspect. However I can't make medical claims.
All good info. Thanks....Just a tip .any benefit from .silver is negated when it is added to a salt solution. I read it in a couple of places.. I use the silver in a nasal spray separate from my homemade saline now.
Also it seems that 1 tsp salt may be excessive according to all the other recipes I have seen..maybe it works better though...but I'm afraid it may burn more
Interesting. Thanks. I have never found my silver to be very helpful. Probably I need a different brand. Yes, it's strong. It's up to you how strong you want it.
My sinuses don't burn with 1 tsp sea salt in 4 ounces water but that might change if my sinuses get better (maybe gunk/scar tissue shielding mucus membrane). In the past, I felt a burn (probably 1 tsp / 8 oz water), but was using table salt.
Buffer the salt with baking soda, that way there is no burn. Some people get no burn with straight salt, some do.
Another really great and informative post.
I just recently began using a neti pot regularly this past winter after I kept battling colds (which I eventually found out were from chronic mold exposure.). The neti pot has been a blessing. I look forward to making your recipe. Thank you.
I wanted to ask you if you've ever made your own essential oil infusted neti salt? We recently purchased some pre-made by a company called Baraka. They have great products, but I've been wondering if I can make my own infused neti salt to save money in the long run, as well as making different blends.
All the best.
I have never done that! How interesting. I guess it's just salt and EOs? Only for use in the neti pot?
Thanx, great!
But what is the effect of adding baking soda? May I add a little menthol to the mix?
It makes the solution more tolerable. I would be very careful about adding anything so please study the effects of putting that in your nose and be very very cautious. You can talk about it w/ your physician as well.
The baking soda acts as a ph buffer, so the salt won't burn, or not as much, anyway.