Can I use table salt for saline solution? What You Need to Know

September 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using unsterilized tap water for nasal irrigation has been linked to rare but fatal infections. This fact underscores the critical importance of understanding if and how you can I use table salt for saline solution safely, without introducing harmful contaminants.

Quick Summary

While standard table salt contains additives that can cause irritation, making it unsafe for sensitive areas like the eyes, a properly sterilized and measured solution made with non-iodized salt can be suitable for nasal rinsing; for eye care, wound irrigation, or contact lenses, only use sterile, commercially prepared saline to avoid severe health risks.

Key Points

Table Salt is Not Pure: Standard table salt contains irritating additives like iodine and anti-caking agents, making it unsuitable for sensitive areas.
Sterility is Non-Negotiable: Homemade saline requires using distilled or boiled water and a sterilized container to prevent serious infections from tap water contaminants.
Avoid for Eyes and Wounds: Never use homemade saline for eye washes, contact lenses, piercings, or open wounds; these require commercially sterile products.
Follow Precise Recipes: When making a homemade nasal rinse, use a non-iodized salt and a proper, measured recipe to avoid irritating your nasal passages with the wrong concentration.
Commercial Saline is Safest: For all sensitive medical applications, sterile, store-bought saline offers the highest level of safety and reliability, eliminating risks associated with home preparation.

The Core Differences: Table Salt vs. Pharmaceutical Grade Saline

Understanding the fundamental distinction between the salt in your kitchen shaker and the sodium chloride used in medical-grade saline is the first step toward safety. Standard table salt is not pure sodium chloride. It contains additives such as iodine, which is often included for nutritional purposes, and anti-caking agents like calcium silicate to keep it from clumping. These additives, while harmless in food, can be irritating or even harmful to sensitive tissues found in nasal passages, eyes, or open wounds.

In contrast, pharmaceutical-grade saline is a carefully controlled, sterile solution. It is made using only purified water and a precise concentration of sodium chloride, with no added substances. This rigorous control ensures the solution is isotonic (meaning it has the same salt concentration as human tears and blood) and free from contaminants, which is vital for safe medical use.

Serious Risks of Using Unsafe Homemade Saline

Attempting to create saline for sensitive applications without proper ingredients and sterilization can lead to dangerous consequences. The risks are not to be underestimated.

Contamination Risks: The Danger in Your Tap Water

One of the most significant dangers comes from the water itself. While perfectly safe to drink, unboiled tap water is not sterile and can contain low levels of bacteria and even deadly amoebas, such as Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba. When tap water is used to prepare nasal rinses, these microorganisms can enter the body through the nasal passages, potentially leading to severe, and often fatal, infections. Even distilled water, if not sterile, can pose a risk, especially for eye care.

Irritation from Table Salt Additives

As mentioned, the additives in table salt are not suitable for sensitive membranes. Using iodized table salt, for instance, can cause burning and irritation in the nasal passages. For piercings or open wounds, these same additives can interfere with the healing process and cause additional soreness or inflammation.

Incorrect Saline Concentration

Precision is critical when it comes to saline solutions. If the salt-to-water ratio is too high, the solution will be hypertonic and can cause a stinging or burning sensation as it pulls water out of your cells. Conversely, a hypotonic solution (too little salt) can cause cells to swell. The precise 0.9% concentration found in medical-grade saline is intentionally formulated to be gentle and prevent cell damage.

When to NEVER Use Homemade Saline

For some applications, safety demands a commercially prepared, sterile product. Under no circumstances should you use homemade saline for the following:

Eye Care: This includes eye washes, rinsing contacts, or storing contact lenses. Contamination can lead to severe and potentially blinding eye infections.
New Piercings: The risk of infection is too high. A sterile commercial wound wash is the only safe option for cleaning a new piercing.
Open Wounds: Flushing an open wound with non-sterile, homemade saline can introduce bacteria and lead to a serious infection.
Nebulizer Treatments: Homemade saline is not sterile and should never be inhaled. Always use the sterile saline ampules designed for this purpose.

How to Make a Safer Homemade Saline for Nasal Rinsing

For the specific purpose of nasal rinsing (like with a neti pot), you can prepare a safer solution at home, but only by following strict sterilization guidelines. Remember, this is for nasal use only.

Sterilize the Water: Use distilled, commercially bottled water, or boil tap water for at least 3-5 minutes. Let it cool completely until it is lukewarm to the touch. Never use water straight from the tap.
Use the Right Salt: Use non-iodized, preservative-free salt, such as pickling salt, canning salt, or Kosher salt. Avoid standard table salt.
Measure Accurately: In a clean, airtight container, combine 3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. This mixture can be stored. For a single dose, mix 1 teaspoon of this dry mixture with 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm sterile water.
Store Correctly: Store any unused pre-made solution in the refrigerator and discard it after 24 hours. For pre-boiled water, store in a sterile container and use within 24 hours.

Commercial Saline Solutions: The Safer Alternative

For absolute peace of mind and for any sensitive application, commercially available saline solutions are the clear choice. These products, such as Neilmed NeilCleanse Wound Wash, are manufactured in sterile environments and provide a safe, convenient, and reliable option for various medical and hygiene needs. They eliminate the risk of improper measurements and water contamination entirely.

Comparison: Homemade (Nasal Rinse) vs. Commercial Saline


Feature	Homemade Saline (Nasal Rinse)	Commercial Saline
Ingredients	Non-iodized salt, baking soda, sterile water	Sterile water, sodium chloride
Sterility	Requires strict user sterilization of water and containers	Guaranteed sterile by manufacturer
Additives	Should be additive-free if non-iodized salt is used	Additive-free (unless specified)
Cost	Less expensive	More expensive
Convenience	Requires preparation	Pre-mixed and ready to use
Best for...	Nasal irrigation in non-sensitive individuals	Eyes, contacts, piercings, wounds, medical use
Risk of Infection	Possible if sterilization protocols are not followed perfectly	Extremely low (unless container is compromised)

Conclusion

While the prospect of a cheap, homemade saline solution is appealing, especially for uses like nasal rinsing, it is paramount to prioritize safety. Standard table salt should be avoided for all homemade saline solutions. For nasal rinses, strict adherence to a recipe using non-iodized salt and sterilized water is necessary to minimize risk. However, for any application involving the eyes, contact lenses, open wounds, or piercings, a sterile, commercially manufactured saline solution is the only safe and responsible choice. The small cost saving is simply not worth the significant health risks associated with improper preparation. When in doubt, always reach for the sterile, store-bought option.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not use iodized table salt. The iodine and anti-caking additives can irritate the delicate mucous membranes in your nasal passages, eyes, or open wounds, causing burning or stinging.

Unboiled tap water is not sterile and can contain bacteria and other microorganisms, including dangerous amoebas like Naegleria fowleri. When used for nasal irrigation, these can enter the body and cause serious, potentially fatal infections.

For a homemade nasal rinse, use a non-iodized, preservative-free salt. Options include pickling salt, canning salt, or Kosher salt. A specific, measured recipe should be followed.

No, homemade saline is never safe for eyes, contact lenses, or any other ophthalmic use. The solution is not guaranteed to be sterile and could lead to severe eye infections. Always use a commercially prepared, sterile eyewash for these purposes.

Homemade saline made with boiled tap water should be stored in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator and discarded after 24 hours. A solution made with distilled water might last longer, but it is safest to use freshly made solution whenever possible.

No, you should only use a sterile, commercially prepared wound wash specifically intended for piercings. Homemade solutions lack the necessary sterility and can introduce bacteria or cause irritation from additives, which can impede the healing process.

It is difficult to know for sure at home. Improper concentration can cause a burning or stinging sensation. This is why following a precise recipe with accurate measurements and using commercial saline for sensitive applications is so important.