How to Make Homemade Saline Nasal Spray

As the seasons change and the air gets colder and drier, many of us find that our sinuses get drier too. So we need to give our sinuses a little TLC to stay healthy through the winter months. Homemade saline nasal spray is a great way to solve this dilemma!

Although it's possible to buy a pre-made saline nasal spray product from the grocery store, this DIY method is more economical. And it's an easy and fun project too! So I'm going to share with you how to make homemade saline nasal spray.

What is Saline Nasal Spray Used For?

Saline nasal sprays are one of the best ways to relieve allergies and stuffy noses. Saline nasal sprays can help to reduce inflammation, and even help in the process of physically breaking down thick mucous. The  recipe I'm going to share with you for homemade saline nasal spray is also considered hypertonic. This means that it has a higher concentration of sodium in its contents than the human body does. This creates an amazing cleansing effect!

Are Saline Sprays Safe For Kids?

The answer is yes. Saline nasal sprays are safe for children and even infants to use. And using a gentle saline nasal spray is a great way to help relieve congestion. But since everybody is different, it's always best to ask your doctor if saline sprays are ideal for you or your little one. Many children have experienced positive results from using saline nasal sprays. Since the main ingredients in this recipe are sea salt and baking soda, it's also gentle and safe enough for people of all ages to use on a regular basis.

Once the process is understood, using saline nasal sprays is fairly straightforward. Kids might find the tingling feeling of the spray in their nose a little weird at first. But most children quickly get used to it and enjoy the relief it brings. Of course, with babies and toddlers, you will need to spray their noses for them. Older kids can learn to do it themselves. But children of any age need supervision, guidance and a helping hand to use their nasal saline spray efficiently and safely.

Ingredients for Homemade Saline Nasal Spray

For the saline solution itself, you'll need the following:

• 1 cup of water (I recommend purified water or spring water that will be boiled. If you want to use distilled water that works too, and in that case you can skip boiling it.)
• ¼  teaspoon sea salt
• 1 pinch baking soda

Regarding the type of sea salt, one of my favorite USA-produced sea salt brands that offer finely ground, 100% natural sea salt is from the Redmond Life Store. Redmond is offering 15% savings to the Natural Kitchen community. Just enter the code 'NaturalKitchen' when checking out.

Steps to Make Homemade Saline Nasal Spray

Ok, now let me walk you through exactly how to make homemade saline nasal spray.

Sterilize your pot, a spoon and bottles

First, you'll need a clean, stainless steel pot to boil and sterilize your solution. I boil a full pot of water before using the saucepan for my saline solution to ensure that it's sterile.

Next, you'll need a few clean amber glass bottles with nasal spray tops, which are easily found here on Amazon.

After you boil a full pot of water, shut off the heat. You can then place a stainless steel spoon in that water to sterilize it. Remove the spoon after a few minutes and place on a clean surface. You can clean the amber bottles the same way. Place them into the pre-boiled water for a few minutes then carefully remove them with a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon. Place the bottles on a clean surface. Then discard the water.

Make the Saline Nasal Spray Solution

Now that you have a sterilized pot, add the one cup of water you will use for the solution. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once the water has boiled, shut off the heat. Add ¼ teaspoon of the sea salt and a pinch of baking soda.

The sea salt and baking soda should start dissolving.To help speed the process up, you can give the mixture a stir with the sterilized spoon.

Once the solution is created, remove the pot from the stove, and let the solution cool. Carefully pour the cooled saline solution into your clean amber bottles, and screw on their spray tops. Once this step is done, congratulations! You just made your own homemade saline nasal spray.

Usage Tips and Storage

To get the best results from your saline spray, it's recommended to "prep" your nose by gently blowing it into a tissue to help remove mucus that may block the nasal cavities. Prepare the solution itself by gently shaking it to ensure that the contents are evenly distributed, just in case they may have separated. Although most older children are able to independently blow their nose, younger children may need some help in doing so. And with infants, a gentle wipe should do it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that with every new spray pump, you'll have to give the nozzle a few test pumps to get rid of any air in the line.

Now give each nostril a squirt of the nasal spray, and gently blow your nose. If you're helping your kids to do this, have them gently blow their nose. With babies you'll need to suction their nose with a bulb syringe.

To keep your homemade nasal spray fresh and sterile for later, refrigerate any extra solution you made to prevent the growth of bacteria. This solution can also be refrigerated in a clean, sterile glass jar for bulk batches too. At room temperature, your saline solution will only keep for up to three days of use. After that, discard any leftover solution and take out a new bottle.

Now that you know how to make homemade saline nasal spray, you will always have a fresh supply of saline spray that's clean, effective, and budget friendly!

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy:

• This recipe for a Chorella Pear Smoothie, a nice way to eat superfoods like protein-rich chlorella

Homemade Saline Nasal Spray

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• Author: Christine Waltermyer

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Ingredients

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1 cup distilled water or boiled purified/spring water

¼ - ½ teaspoon sea salt

1 pinch baking soda

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Instructions

Step 1  - Sterilize equipment.

First, sterilize the amber glass bottles, glass measuring cup and stainless steel spoon. Do this by bringing a pot of water to boil and then shutting off the heat. Place the bottles in the water and remove after a few minutes. Place on a clean surface. Repeat with the measuring cup and spoon.

Step 2 - Prepare the water.

Distilled Water Method: Place the distilled water in the glass measuring cup. Or if you're using boiled purified or spring water, follow the directions below.

Purified or Spring Water Method: To sterilize purified or spring water: Sterilize a clean, small saucepan by boiling some water in it and then discarding it. Inside the same cooking pot, place the 1 cup purified water or spring water. Bring to a gentle boil, then shut off the heat and let it cool.

Step 3 - Add the sea salt & optional baking soda.

Add the sea salt and baking soda. Gently stir with the sterilized spoon. Let the solution cool to room temperature and then pour into the sterilized amber glass bottles. Screw on the nozzle lids.

Step 4 - Store solution

Keep 1 bottle at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Store the remaining bottles and solution in the refrigerator. Bring solution to room temperature before using. Discard any leftover refrigerated solution after 3 days.

 

Notes

• If you prefer you can just make a fresh batch each time you need it

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