How to Flush Sinuses

An at home guide for nasal irrigation

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: May 25, 2022 References Approved

Research suggests that nasal irrigation is an effective way to both treat and prevent sinus issues.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source} While it may sound complicated, nasal irrigation is a simple process where you rinse out your sinuses to remove things like allergens, irritants, and dried mucus. Studies show that flushing your sinuses is usually safe as long as you use the right kind of water and a clean nasal irrigation device.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source} Fortunately, it's fairly easy to flush your sinuses, so you can hopefully get fast relief.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Equipment

1
Choose an irrigation device. There are many different kinds of nasal irrigation devices on the market today. These devices are available at most pharmacies, naturopathic stores, and online. They range in size, shape, and longevity (some are disposable), but each essentially serves the same purpose: to flush out your sinuses. Common irrigation devices include:^{[3]
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- Neti pots
- Bulb syringe
- Squeeze bottle
2
Use safe water. Most homes with indoor plumbing have tap water that is safe to drink. However, some sources of tap water contain low levels of microorganisms like bacteria, amoeba, and other protozoa. While these organisms are typically safe to drink, as stomach acid kills them on contact, they should not be used on thin membranes like the inside of the sinus.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}
- Unsafe tap water used for nasal irrigation can lead to bacterial infections and amoebic meningitis, a severe condition that is usually fatal.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Distilled or sterile water is ideal. These can be purchased in most stores, and should specifically say "distilled" or "sterile" on the label.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- You can create sterile water at home. Boil tap water for three to five minutes, then cool until it is lukewarm. Do not use hot water, as this can cause serious and painful burns.
- Water that has passed through a filter with an absolute pore size of less than or equal to one micron is safe to use. These filters are small enough that they can trap microorganisms, rendering the tap water safe to use. You can buy these tap filters at many hardware stores or online.Find out more about these filters at the Center for Disease Control website.
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3
Buy or make a saline solution. You can purchase over-the-counter saline solutions designed for nasal irrigation at most drug stores and pharmacies. However, you can just as easily make your own saline solution at home.
- Measure three teaspoons of salt. You should only use kosher, canning, or pickling salt. Do not use salt with iodine, anti-caking agents, or preservatives, as these can irritate the nasal and sinus cavities.
- In a clean bowl or container, mix the salt with one teaspoon of baking soda.^{[7]
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- Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm water that is either distilled, sterile, boiled and cooled, or properly filtered.
- Stir until the salt and baking soda are dissolved in the water. Use this mixture to fill your irrigation device.^{[8]
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  Research source} Make sure you are using a sterile instrument to stir the mixture.
4
Take sanitary precautions. It's important that you take safety precautions whenever you handle, clean, and store your irrigation device. This will help prevent bacteria and other germs from contaminating your irrigation device and potentially entering your sinus cavity.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling or using your irrigation device. Dry your hands with a clean, disposable paper towel.^{[10]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}
- Wash the irrigation device using distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water to ensure that the device does not become contaminated while washing. Let the device air dry, or wipe the inside dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Flushing the Sinuses

1
Fill your irrigation device. Whether you are using a neti pot, a syringe bulb, or a different irrigation device, ensure that the device has been properly cleaned. Fill the device with a saline solution that has either been store bought or made at home using sterile water.^{[11]
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2
Get into position. Once you've drawn water into your irrigation device, you'll need to get in place. Lean over a sink to avoid spilling water everywhere (especially water that has been through your sinus).
- Tilt your head sideways over the sink.^{[12]
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  Research source} Some experts recommend tilting your head at a 45-degree angle to facilitate the best flow of water without any getting into your mouth.^{[13]
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- When you're ready, press the spout of your irrigation device gently into the nostril that is closer to the ceiling (the "upper" nostril, when your head is tilted). Do not shove the spout deep inside the nose or against the septum, as this may cause discomfort or injury.^{[14]
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3
Irrigate the sinuses. Once you're in position and have inserted your irrigation device, you may begin to irrigate the nose. Proceed slowly and carefully, especially if this is your first time irrigating your sinuses.
- Breathe through your mouth. Do not under any circumstances attempt to breathe through your nose, as this may cause water to go into your lungs and could present a choking hazard.^{[15]
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- Slowly raise the handle of your irrigation device. If you are using a syringe bulb, you may now begin to gently squeeze the saline solution out. If you are using a neti pot, simply let the water pour slowly into the nostril.
4
Switch sides. Once you've irrigated from one side, you'll need to repeat the entire procedure for the other nostril. Switch the angle of your head to put the other nostril "above" the one you just irrigated.
5
Clear your sinuses. Once you've drained the pot on both sides, exhale through both nostrils before you attempt to inhale. You may also wish to blow your nose to remove all the excess solution and mucus/debris.
6
Follow up with a few drops of a nasal oil that contains sesame oil. Sesame oil used as nasal drops can help to moisten and soothe your nasal passages, and it may also help to flush them out further.^{[16]
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Research source} Try using a nasal oil blend to lubricate the inside of your nose after you flush your sinuses.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How often is it safe to flush my sinuses?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Flush your sinuses once a day during acute sinus problems and then once or three times a week once your symptoms have subsided.
Question

Can I use Epsom salts?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Do not use Epsom salt for your nasal rinses. You can use Epsom salts in a hot bath, and it can help relieve muscle and joint aches as well as sinus congestion.

Warnings

Never irrigate the sinus of an infant, as this may cause the child to choke or drown. Nasal irrigation is safe for adults, but only because an adult knows not to inhale through the nose during irrigation. Always check with a physician or pediatrician before using a neti pot or other device with a small child.

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Do not use normal table salt for the solution. Table salt often includes iodine, which can irritate the nasal passages. Kosher or pickling salt are safer alternatives, as they generally contain no chemicals that would harm or irritate the nasal cavity.

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Be sure to only use clean water. Contaminants in tap water can be dangerous for the nasal cavity. If you have doubts about the health of your tap water, boil it for an extended period of time to remove impurities.

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