Neti Pots: How to ChooseOr How to Pick the Best One for Your NoseLife is full of choices. Neti pots are no exception. Once you've decided to take the nasal irrigation plunge, you'll need to choose your neti pot. Ceramic or plastic? Biggie or smallie? Fancy or plain? And how about that spout? Does its shape really matter?If you're a neti newbie, choosing a neti pot can be daunting. But it doesn't have to be. Let's review some basic features and options to get you started on the happy road to Nasal Irrigation Land.
Neti Pot Materials - Plastic, Ceramic, or Stainless?When it comes to neti pots, there are three popular choices for materials. Each has distinct benefits and downsides. Let's review a few of them.Plastic - Unbreakable, Packable THE DOWNSIDE: You can't exactly boil plastic, so you'll need to clean your plastic neti by hand with dish-soap and water. You'll probably need to avoid the dishwasher, especially those super-hot sanitizing cycles. Also, plastic doesn't always age well, and chances are, your plastic won't last – or look good – forever. And speaking of appearances, plastic netties tend to look a lot cheaper than their upscale ceramic cousins, so you won't want to show it off like you might a ceramic "work of art." Ceramic - Cute, But Breakable
THE DOWNSIDE: Ceramic netties are only a slip-slide away from destruction. Yup, they're sadly breakable, which means you'll have to pack them extra carefully if you want to take your sinus irrigation on the road. Also, they can feel rock-hard to the touch, which might make it a little intimidating to use the first time, compared to the relatively softer feel of plastic against your nostrils. And speaking of that spout, ceramic versions generally don't have those specially designed tips that fit snug and soft in the nose. Plus, most ceramic neti pots are lid-less, which means you won't be able to shake your solution to mix it up. Rather, you'll have to swirl it to get the salt solution dissolved in the water. Stainless Steel - Bigger, Badder, er, Rustier? THE DOWNSIDE: Salt causes corrosion, which is almost never a good thing. True, stainless steel isn't supposed to rust, but neti pots have been known to rust around the seams, especially if you're less than diligent about washing and drying your pot after each use. Because they tend to be larger, they also can be be bulky, which means you might not be so eager to throw them in your suitcase for travel. Plus, every once in a while, people using stainless steel neti pots say they experience a metallic taste to them, while others swear this isn't the case with thorough washing. BONUS TIP: A Note About Copper About That Spout for Your Nasal 'Snout'When you're shopping for sinus irrigation supplies, you'll want to look at the spout.If your pot is ceramic, you won't have a lot of variety when it comes to the ol' spout. Basically, your neti pot's spout will be hard and tapered, without a lot of snugness or softness. This can be daunting to beginners sometimes. Plastic netties have more variety, spout-wise. Some have different spout-shapes that allow them to fit snugly into the nostril. The spout also feels softer to the touch than ceramic, for example. Stainless steel and copper netties often have special tips on the spout, designed for nostril comfort. Bonus Tip: With any spout, you'll want to watch for seams, because these can scratch your nose. Handle? Or No Handle?Some neti pots have handles, while others do not. Pay attention to this when you're buying, especially if you're a little nervous about the whole sinus irrigation thing.Remember, ceramic models aren't just breakable, they're also heavier than plastic versions, so if you've got that condition known as butter-fingers, look for a model with a handle to prevent slippage, breakage, and eventual boo-hoo-age. Regardless, the netti pot should feel good in your hand and easy to hold. More Articles About Neti Pots & Special FeaturesWhere to Find 'Em When I was a nasal irrigation newbie, one of my first questions was, "Where can I get a neti pot?" The good news is they're fairly easy to find. The bad news is you'll need to know where to look, and you might not find a huge netti pot selection within each store. This reviews nasal irrigation shopping options, along with benefits and drawbacks of each.A Plastic Overview for Neti Newbies. My first nettie was a little blue plastic model. As a nervous neti newbie, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of using anything, no matter how harmless-looking, do the whole sinus irrigation thing, but after weeks of sinus headache misery, I took the plunge and bought this little blue teapot looking contraption. I chose this particular model because it was a relatively cheap and came with premixed salt packets. But would I recommend it to friends? Features of Ceramic Netties. They're useful, they're stylish, they make for great conversation, but they're not always easy to shop for. When choosing a ceramic neti pot, first ask yourself these questions. Homemade Netti Pots. If you're in a pinch, and looking to create or forage for a homemade netti pot, you're in luck, because you can create an emergency nasal irrigation device from some basic household goods. Here are some of the most popular choices. Netti Pot: The Neti Pot Newbie's Guide to Nasal Irrigation |
Neti Pot Size, Does It Matter? A typical sinus irrigation ranges takes about 8 to 16 ounces (240 - 480 mL) of water.
If your pot is small, like in the 8-ounce range, you may want to do one nostril with one potful, and then repeat on the other nostril. This means you'll have to mix your mix your saline solution twice (Yes, yes, I know, as opposed to re-using the same solution...)
Some people prefer smaller pots, because they're easier to handle, and don't mind mixing the solution twice if needed. Personally, I'm one of these people, but then again, I'm kind of short myself.
It's Cheap, It's Easy, and Unlike My Former Bimbo Roommate, This Thing Won't Get You Evicted. If you're a neti newbie, and you're looking for a good "starter" neti pot, this is what I used for my first time, and I thought it was an excellent choice. It's comfy plastic, has a specially designed tip, is super affordable, and has a lid so you don't need to worry about sloppage. Plus, it comes with 50 pre-mixed packets, so you won't need to worry about scouring the grocery store for the right kind of neti pot salt.
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