How to make a saline solution at home
Saline solution is easy to make at home. Always wash your hands with soap and water before preparing saline at home.
You will need:
- one clean, air-tight glass bottle or jar with lid
- pot with lid
- table salt (it is best to use non-iodized salt, which does not have iodine in it)
- baking soda (optional, but will make the solution less irritating)
Instructions
Option 1:
- Put one cup (250 mL) of tap water into a pot and boil for 15 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove from heat and cool until the water reaches room temperature.
- Add ½ teaspoon of salt into the pot and stir to dissolve. Optional: Add a pinch of baking soda.
- Carefully pour the salt-water solution from the pan into the jar or bottle and put the lid on.
- Refrigerate solution and use within 24 hours.
Option 2:
You can used distilled water purchased from most drug and grocery stores to make sterile and longer-lasting saline without boiling water. This is an easy and less time-consuming process.
- Mix eight teaspoons of salt into 1 gallon (4 L) of distilled water.
- Refrigerate solution and use within one month.
If you plan on using the saline solution as a nasal saline rinse, follow this recipe:
- Put four cups (1000 mL) of tap water into a pot and boil for 15 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove from heat and cool until the water reaches room temperature.
- Add three teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda into the pot and stir to dissolve.
- Carefully pour the solution from the pan into the jar or bottle and put the lid on.
- Refrigerate solution and use within 24 hours.