How to Use a Neti Pot - Bonus Tricks & Tips

Learning how to use a neti pot is easy. If you've already familiarized yourself with the basic neti pot instructions, you're in luck.

This means you're ready for the next step, getting some bonus tips and tricks to make your nasal irrigation experience as smooth as possible.

Remember, learning how to use a neti pot is a lot easier than it sounds, especially if you're familiar with some basic do's and don'ts of neti pot preparation, use, and cleanup.

Neti Pot Do's and Don'ts

Do Adjust the Tilt of Your Head, and Don't Let the Solution Get Mouthy. During the process, if you find solution flowing into your mouth, you're probably not tilting your head forward enough. Adjust the level of your head, and get the solution back on track -- nostril to nostril, not nostril to mouth. (It's actually a lot easier than it sounds, honest!)

Don't Share the Neti. You can share your netti enthusiasm, but your neti pot should be yours and yours alone. When it comes to sharing, treat your netti pot like you would your toothbruth or best underwear. Sure, people can admire them, but sharing is not advisable.

Pure enough to drink isn't the same as pure enough for your sinuses. Never use water straight from the tap in your neti pot.
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Purity Counts - Beware of Tap Water and Table Salt. It's worth repeating. For your own safety and comfort, always use pure neti pot salt, and purified neti pot-friendly water. This means you can't just grab the salt from your shaker, and assume it's good. And never use neti pot water straight from the tap.

A Clean Neti Pot is a Happy Neti Pot. When you're finished with your nasal irrigation, clean your neti pot with warm water and dish soap. (Some neti pots are even dishwasher safe, but many people prefer to wash theirs by hand, if only to keep the neti pots away from the good china, lest the roommates get grossed out.)

Clean the Sink and Counter Tops When You're Done. I keep a bottle of Fantastic disinfectant spray under the bathroom sink. When I'm done using the neti pot, I spray down the sink area and give it a quick wipe, just to be safe, and especially if I have a cold and don't want to spread unhealthy germs (I know, I know, as opposed to healthy germs?) to those who share my bathroom.

Always Follow Neti Pot instructions. Some neti pots come with instructions. Before you use your new neti pot, give these instructions a read. Chances are there's special information on how to use a neti pot, along with special cleaning and care instructions, based on the pot's material and construction. (For example, some neti pots are dishwasher safe, while others aren't. It never hurts to check.)

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The Neti Pot Newbie's Guide to Sinus & Nasal Irrigation
www.neti-netti-pot.com
This website is for educational purposes only. For medical care & advice, consult your doctor.

Neti pot use is surprisingly easy. For something that sounds weird, slightly traumatic, and even physically impossible, nasal irrigation is actually quite easy. A lot easier than it sounds, in fact. Most people who try it for the first time are pleasantly surprised at how little time or effort it takes.

From the Classifieds: Pure, iodine-free salt seeks purified water for wild wet neti-pot encounter and potential long-term partnership. Send pix of neti pot, bathroom, and favorite nostril. Will respond to all ads. No tap water need apply.