Key takeaways:
A neti pot is a container that clears the nose and sinuses with a saline (saltwater) solution.
Rinsing with a saline solution in a neti pot or spray bottle can help with conditions that cause nasal congestion, like colds and allergies.
Neti pots are safe for most people, but be sure to use sterile water to make the solution.
Feeling stuffed up or dealing with that all-too-familiar sinus pressure? You’ve likely come across someone who swears by their neti pot for a congested nose or sinus infection. But does a neti pot really help clear things out? And is it safe to use?
We’ll flush out the noise and share tips on how to use a neti pot safely, including how often you can use it and how to make a saline solution.
What is a neti pot?
A neti pot looks like a teapot with a long spout. It holds a saline (saltwater) solution that people use to clear out congested nasal passages and sinuses. Other devices that look more like a squirt bottle can be used for the same thing.
Search and compare options
How to use a neti pot
Although the procedure itself is pretty simple, it takes a little getting used to. It’s OK if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it. But it’s important to use sterile water and follow the instructions for mixing the solution each time.
To rinse your nasal passages with a neti pot, follow these five steps:
Step 1: Prepare the saline solution with sterile water. Or use a premixed sterile saline solution.
Step 2: Stand over a sink or in the shower. Lean forward, and tilt your head to one side.
Step 3: Pour about 4 oz of the saline solution into your top nostril. You’ll know you’ve used enough when it runs out of your bottom nostril.
Step 4: Tilt your head to the other side, and repeat with the other nostril.
Step 5: Gently blow your nose to get rid of mucus and any leftover solution in your nasal passages.
Do neti pots work, and what are their benefits for nasal issues?
Using a neti pot can help lower congestion and inflammation of the airways in and around your nose. The saline rinse helps to:
Thin out mucus
Wash out viruses and bacteria
Get rid of pollen, dust, and particles that trigger allergies
Free up cilia (small hairs) in the nasal passages so they work better
Decrease inflammation and swelling
What types of conditions are neti pots useful for?
Rinsing the nasal passages has been a health practice in some cultures for thousands of years. However, only recently have scientists studied the risks and benefits. Most experts now agree that neti pots and other forms of nasal irrigation may help people manage conditions like:
Congestion making it hard to sleep? These tips can help improve sinus drainage while you sleep.
Looking for more at-home remedies for sinus relief? We’ve got you covered with postnasal drip remedies to soothe cough, sore throat, and more.
Think you have a sinus infection? Most sinus infections go away on their own. Here’s when to get care for a sinus infection.
What kind of water should you use with a neti pot, and why?
Use sterile water at room temperature with a neti pot.
Most tap water is safe to drink because the acid in your stomach gets rid of small amounts of bacteria and other microscopic organisms that may be present. But it’s not the same with your sinuses. Rinsing your nasal passages with plain tap water could cause serious infections, including life-threatening brain infections.
Using sterile water
It’s important to use only sterile water with a neti pot or any other device to rinse your nostrils. You can buy distilled water, or boil and then cool tap water to mix the solution. Or you can buy premixed sterile saline solution for nasal irrigation.
Water temperature
When you’re ready to do the nasal rinse, the liquid should be at room temperature or just a little warm. Cold water can lead to bony growths in your nasal passages over time. Very hot water could cause burns.
Can you make your own saline solution at home?
You can buy premixed packets to make saline solution for your neti pot. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) also has a recipe to make your own saline solution at home:
Add 3 tsp of pickling or canning salt with no preservatives or iodide.
Mix in 1 tsp of baking soda.
Put 1 tsp of this mixture in 8 oz (1 cup) of sterile water.
Make a fresh solution each time you use your neti pot.
How often is it OK to use a neti pot?
If you haven’t used a neti pot recently, start with once a day. If you find that it makes you feel better, you can use it twice a day. Some people with chronic conditions will also use it twice a day to keep symptoms under control.
If you use prescription nasal spray for allergy or chronic inflammation, use your neti pot before the nasal spray.
Who should not use a neti pot?
For most people with nasal congestion or sinus inflammation, using a neti pot correctly can help with symptoms and doesn’t have many risks. For adults and children as young as 2 years, studies have shown that nasal irrigation can help with symptoms and minimize the need for other medications.
But a neti pot isn’t for everyone. Don’t use a neti pot if you have:
Trauma or unhealed fractures of your face
A muscle or neurologic condition, like a hand tremor, that would make it hard to use the neti pot correctly
Frequent or severe nosebleeds
A neti pot is generally safe for children if they tolerate it. But children younger than 2 years should use saline drops instead of a neti pot. And if you have a condition that affects your immune system, talk with a healthcare professional before using a neti pot.
What are the risks of using a neti pot daily?
Some people may feel burning or irritation in their nasal passages. If this happens to you, use less salt and baking soda in the solution. If you’re using a premade mix, you can try changing brands. Irritated nasal passages can lead to a small risk of nosebleeds.
Frequently asked questions
A convenient thing about a neti pot is that you can use it any time of the day. Some people like to use it in the morning when they’re feeling congested after sleeping. Others like to do a nasal rinse at night before they go to bed. If you get relief from a neti pot, the best time of day to do a nasal rinse is when you’ll remember to do it.
Wash your neti pot with soap and water and dry it every time after you use it. Many neti pots are also dishwasher safe. Replace the neti pot from time to time if you use it a lot. Don’t share neti pots. Use a different device for each person in your household.
Because of the way that the nasal passages, sinuses, and ears are connected, you might feel a temporary fullness in your nose, face, or ears after using your neti pot. Gently blowing your nose after use helps get rid of extra solution and evens out the pressure in those connected areas. The fullness feeling should go away within 10 to 15 minutes.
Many people can use money in their flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to buy a neti pot and supplies. But it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional to make sure a neti pot is right for you and to provide documentation of your health conditions.
A convenient thing about a neti pot is that you can use it any time of the day. Some people like to use it in the morning when they’re feeling congested after sleeping. Others like to do a nasal rinse at night before they go to bed. If you get relief from a neti pot, the best time of day to do a nasal rinse is when you’ll remember to do it.
Wash your neti pot with soap and water and dry it every time after you use it. Many neti pots are also dishwasher safe. Replace the neti pot from time to time if you use it a lot. Don’t share neti pots. Use a different device for each person in your household.
Because of the way that the nasal passages, sinuses, and ears are connected, you might feel a temporary fullness in your nose, face, or ears after using your neti pot. Gently blowing your nose after use helps get rid of extra solution and evens out the pressure in those connected areas. The fullness feeling should go away within 10 to 15 minutes.
Many people can use money in their flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to buy a neti pot and supplies. But it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional to make sure a neti pot is right for you and to provide documentation of your health conditions.
The bottom line
Rinsing your nasal passages with a neti pot can feel strange at first. But, with a bit of practice, it’s a safe and convenient at-home remedy for a stuffy nose. Most experts agree that a neti pot can be a useful part of a treatment plan for conditions that cause nasal congestion. Just make sure to use sterile water and to wash your neti pot after you use it.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (2024). Saline sinus rinse recipe.
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2009). Saline nasal irrigation for sinus problems.
Callahan, A. (2022). Do neti pots really work? The New York Times.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). How to safely rinse sinuses.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Saline nasal washes.
National Health Service. (2022). Non-allergic rhinitis.
Orlandi, R. R., et al. (2020). International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Rhinosinusitis 2021. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.
Principi, N., et al. (2017). Nasal irrigation: An imprecisely defined medical procedure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Rabago, D., et al. (2009). Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. American Family Physician.
Succar, E. F., et al. (2019). Nasal saline irrigation: A clinical update. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
