Neti pot guide: safe water, step-by-step use and cleaning
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- NeilMed NasaFlo neti pot with 60 packets. Best for: A starter kit with premixed saline. See options on Amazon
- NeilMed NasaFlo porcelain neti pot. Best for: People who prefer a ceramic pot. See options on Amazon
- Distilled water. Best for: Safe rinsing without boiling. See options on Amazon
What a neti pot does
The FDA lists neti pots among nasal irrigation devices, alongside bulb syringes, squeeze bottles and battery-operated pulsed water devices. It says sinus rinsing can remove dust, pollen and other debris, help loosen thick mucus, and moisten nasal passages exposed to dry indoor air.
NeilMed lists uses for its NasaFlo neti pot including nasal allergies, dryness and hay fever, sinus pressure and stuffiness, and nasal symptoms from colds, flu and sinusitis. For sprays and other formats, see our saline nasal spray guide.
Safe water: the rule that matters most
| Water | Safe for rinsing? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought distilled or sterile | Yes | CDC, FDA |
| Boiled, then cooled until lukewarm | Yes; FDA says boil 3 to 5 minutes, CDC says a rolling boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet) | CDC, FDA |
| Tap water straight from the faucet | No; not adequately filtered or treated | FDA |
The CDC explains that germs such as the amebas Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba can grow in public and private water tanks and pipes, and that if they go up the nose to the brain they can cause nearly always fatal infections. The FDA says boiled water can be kept in a clean, closed container for up to 24 hours.
How to use a neti pot
The FDA's steps are:
- Wash and dry your hands, and check that the device is clean and completely dry.
- Prepare the saline rinse, either with the mixture supplied with the device or one you make yourself, using safe water.
- Tilt your head sideways, with your forehead and chin roughly level, to avoid liquid flowing into your mouth.
- Breathing through your open mouth, insert the spout into your upper nostril.
- Clear your nostrils, then repeat on the other side.
Saline packets and pot materials
NeilMed's NasaFlo neti pots come with premixed packets of USP grade sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, which it describes as pH balanced and isotonic, and preservative and iodine free. It sells a clear neti pot with 60 packets and a blue porcelain pot with 50 packets, and says the pots are suitable for use after sinus surgery and during pregnancy.
Premixed packets save measuring, but they do not change the water rule: mix them only with distilled, sterile or properly boiled water.
NeilMed describes its packets as made from USP grade salts with a purity level of 99% or higher, and its kits as free of preservatives, drugs, iodine, BPA, gluten and latex. Each kit includes an educational brochure with directions in English, Spanish and French, so read them before your first rinse.
Cleaning and storage
- Wash after each use. The FDA says to wash the device and dry the inside with a paper towel or let it air dry between uses.
- Start clean. Before each rinse, check that the device is clean and completely dry, as the FDA advises.
- Use safe water every time. Discard boiled water kept longer than 24 hours, per the FDA.
For drier rooms, see our cool mist humidifier guide.
Children and when to see a doctor
The FDA says to make sure the device fits the age of the person using it, and notes that very young children might not tolerate the procedure. Ask your child's pediatrician first.
If symptoms are not relieved or get worse after nasal rinsing, the FDA says to return to your health care provider, especially if you have fever, nosebleeds or headaches while using the rinse. Health care professionals and patients can report problems with nasal rinsing devices to the FDA.
What to look for when you buy
NeilMed NasaFlo neti pot with 60 packets
Best for: A starter kit with premixed saline
NeilMed includes a clear neti pot and 60 premixed packets of USP grade sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate.
Watch out: Mix packets only with distilled, sterile or boiled water.
See options on AmazonNeilMed NasaFlo porcelain neti pot
Best for: People who prefer a ceramic pot
NeilMed sells a blue porcelain NasaFlo pot with 50 premixed packets.
Watch out: Dry the inside fully between uses, as the FDA advises.
See options on AmazonDistilled water
Best for: Safe rinsing without boiling
The CDC says to use store-bought water labeled distilled or sterile for sinus rinsing.
Watch out: Choose water labeled distilled or sterile, as the CDC advises.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can I use tap water in a neti pot?
- No. The FDA says tap water isn't safe for nasal rinsing because it's not adequately filtered or treated.
- How long should I boil water for a neti pot?
- The FDA says 3 to 5 minutes, then cool until lukewarm; the CDC says at least a 1 minute rolling boil, 3 minutes above 6,500 feet.
- How do I clean a neti pot?
- Wash it and dry the inside with a paper towel or let it air dry between uses, per the FDA.
- Can children use a neti pot?
- The FDA says the device should fit the child's age and very young children might not tolerate it; ask a pediatrician.
- When should I stop using a neti pot and see a doctor?
- If symptoms worsen or you get fever, nosebleeds or headaches while rinsing, the FDA says.
Sources
- Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? (fda.gov), U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- How to Safely Rinse Sinuses (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- NasaFlo Neti Pot with 60 Packets (shop.neilmed.com), NeilMed
- NasaFlo Neti Pot Porcelain with 50 Packets (shop.neilmed.com), NeilMed