CRITICAL SAFETY RULES: Prepare Your Water First
Before you begin, you must ensure your water is safe. Never use untreated tap water. The stomach's acid protects the body when drinking water, but sensitive nasal passages do not have those same defenses.
- Approved Water Types: Only use store-bought distilled water, sterile water, or tap water that has been boiled for a rolling boil of 1–3 minutes and cooled down to a comfortable lukewarm temperature.
- Perfecting the Mix: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of pure, non-iodized salt into 8 ounces of your safe, lukewarm water. The salinity should closely match your natural tears. Do not taste-test the water to check salinity, and avoid mixing raw tap water concentrates.
- Temperature Warning: Water that is too hot or too cold will cause a burning sensation or feel highly uncomfortable. Aim for a comfortable, lukewarm temperature close to body temperature.
- Where to Perform: Stand over a sink or use it in the shower (bringing pre-prepared safe water with you), as water will actively drain from your nasal passages.
STANDARD TECHNIQUE: Nostril-to-Nostril Irrigation
This is the standard, gravity-fed method recommended for safe daily hygiene and allergy relief.
- Lean forward over the sink and tilt your head sideways so that your forehead and chin remain at approximately the same level to prevent water from entering your mouth.
- Insert the spout of the neti pot gently into your upper nostril, creating a comfortable seal.
- Breathe continuously through your open mouth. Do not inhale through your nose.
- Tilt the neti pot gently so the saline water flows into the upper nostril and naturally exits through the lower nostril.
- Use approximately half the solution, return to the center to gently blow your nose, and then repeat the process on the opposite side with the remaining solution.
- Care & Cleaning: Wash your ceramic neti pot thoroughly after every use with safe water and dish soap, then allow it to air-dry completely. Because it is high-fired ceramic, it is also dishwasher safe for easy sanitizing.