Can you use table salt as saline? The safe and unsafe applications

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, nasal saline rinses are a recommended treatment for sinus problems. But when faced with a congested nose, many people wonder, can you use table salt as saline? The answer is yes, but only for certain applications and with strict adherence to preparation guidelines.

Quick Summary

Using table salt to prepare a saline solution at home is possible for certain topical applications like nasal irrigation, but requires non-iodized salt and sterile water. Additives in standard table salt can cause irritation, and improperly prepared solutions pose a significant risk of infection. Commercially produced, sterile saline is essential for sensitive uses like eyes, contact lenses, or injections.

Key Points

Choose Non-Iodized Salt: Always use non-iodized, additive-free salt like pickling, canning, or kosher salt for DIY saline to prevent irritation.
Sterilize the Water: Boil tap water for 3-5 minutes and let it cool, or use distilled/sterile water to avoid introducing harmful bacteria and microbes into your nasal passages.
Not for Sensitive Use: Homemade saline is never safe for contact lenses, eye care, deep wounds, or injections; these applications require sterile, commercially prepared solutions.
Discard After 24 Hours: To prevent bacterial contamination, any unused homemade saline should be discarded within 24 hours of preparation.
Measure Accurately: Incorrect salt concentration can cause burning or stinging. For nasal rinses, a standard recipe involves 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 8 ounces of boiled and cooled water.
Commercial Saline is Safer: For guaranteed sterility and safety, especially for sensitive medical uses, opt for commercially prepared saline solutions.

The Fundamental Difference: Table Salt vs. Pharmaceutical-Grade Saline

At its most basic, saline is a solution of sodium chloride (salt) and water. However, the crucial distinctions lie in the purity of the ingredients, the concentration, and the sterilization process.

Table salt is sodium chloride, but it is a refined food product. Standard table salt often contains additives such as iodine (for thyroid health) and anti-caking agents to prevent clumping. These extra ingredients are fine for cooking but can be highly irritating or even toxic to delicate mucous membranes in the nasal passages.

Pharmaceutical-grade saline is a sterile solution, meticulously prepared in a controlled lab environment. The most common type, 'normal saline,' has a precise 0.9% concentration of pure sodium chloride in sterile water. The sterility is paramount, as it is used for sensitive medical purposes like intravenous (IV) infusions, wound care, and eye care. These solutions are free of irritants and microbial contaminants that can cause serious infections.

Safe and Unsafe Applications for Homemade Saline

Understanding the limitations of a DIY solution is critical for health and safety.

Safe Applications (When Prepared Correctly):

Nasal Rinses: For clearing congestion from colds, allergies, or sinusitis, a homemade saline solution can be effective. A proper recipe uses specific measurements of non-iodized salt and boiled, cooled water.
Gargles: A salt water gargle can be a soothing remedy for a sore throat. Since the solution is not being ingested or used in a sterile cavity, using non-iodized salt and warm tap water is generally acceptable.
Oral Rinses: After dental procedures or to soothe mouth sores, a gentle salt water rinse can aid healing. Again, non-iodized salt is recommended to avoid irritation.

Unsafe Applications (Always Use Commercial Saline):

Contact Lenses: Never use homemade saline to clean or store contact lenses. The solution is not sterile and lacks the protective buffers needed for eye health. This can lead to serious eye infections.
Open Wounds: For deep or surgical wounds, sterile commercial saline is the only safe option. Non-sterile solutions can introduce bacteria and other contaminants, increasing the risk of infection.
Injectable Use: This is a firm 'no.' Injecting any homemade solution into the body can have fatal consequences due to contamination and improper concentration.

How to Safely Prepare a Homemade Saline Rinse

To minimize risks and ensure effectiveness for nasal irrigation, follow these steps precisely:

Gather the right ingredients: You will need a clean, airtight container (sterilized by boiling or running through a dishwasher), non-iodized salt (pickling, canning, or kosher salt), and distilled or boiled water. For extra comfort, add a pinch of baking soda.
Sterilize the water: Boil tap water for 3 to 5 minutes, then allow it to cool completely. Never use tap water directly, as it can contain low levels of microbes that are safe to swallow but can cause serious infections in nasal passages.
Mix the ingredients: Combine 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda in your clean container. Use 8 ounces of lukewarm boiled or distilled water and stir until fully dissolved.
Use and store properly: Use a neti pot or nasal syringe to administer the rinse. Discard any unused solution within 24 hours (or follow the refrigeration guidelines from your source) to prevent bacterial growth.

Comparison Table: Homemade vs. Commercial Saline


Feature	Homemade Saline	Commercial Saline
Ingredients	Non-iodized salt, boiled or distilled water, optional baking soda	Sterile, medical-grade sodium chloride and purified water
Purity/Sterility	Non-sterile (at best, clean and pasteurized). Prone to contamination over time	Guaranteed sterile until the sealed container is opened
Additives	Should be additive-free (using specific salt) to avoid irritation	Preservative-free and buffered for sensitive applications
Best For	Nasal rinses, gargles, and simple mouth rinses	All medical uses, including IV drips, wound care, and eye irrigation
Risks	Contamination if prepared improperly; irritation from additives or incorrect salt concentration	Minimal risk when used as directed; potential for user error if handled incorrectly
Cost	Very inexpensive	More expensive, but offers guaranteed safety and purity

Conclusion

While it is technically possible to use table salt to prepare a saline solution for some uses, such as a nasal rinse, it is fraught with risks that are entirely preventable. Using non-iodized salt and sterilizing the water are non-negotiable safety precautions. The convenience and proven sterility of commercially available saline packets or bottles are often worth the minor expense, especially for applications like wound or eye care. For all sensitive or internal applications, commercial, sterile saline is not just a suggestion—it is a medical necessity. Always consult a healthcare provider for proper treatment and never substitute homemade saline for a product designed for sterile applications.

MedicalNewsToday: How to make saline solution at home

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not use iodized table salt for a nasal rinse. The iodine and anti-caking agents added to table salt can irritate the delicate lining of your nasal passages, causing discomfort.

The safest salts for a homemade solution are non-iodized, additive-free salts such as pickling, canning, or kosher salt. These salts are pure sodium chloride and will not irritate mucous membranes.

Tap water is not sterile and can contain low levels of bacteria and other microbes that are harmless to ingest but can cause serious infections if introduced into the nasal passages. You must use distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water.

No, homemade saline is absolutely not safe for contact lenses. The solution is not sterile and lacks the protective buffers necessary for eye health. Using it could cause a serious eye infection.

Homemade saline solution should be used fresh whenever possible. Any remaining solution should be refrigerated and discarded after 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Never use a solution that appears cloudy.

The risks of improperly prepared saline include severe bacterial infection (especially from non-sterile water), irritation from additives in the salt, or pain and burning from an incorrect salt concentration.

You should always choose commercial, sterile saline for any sensitive applications like eye irrigation, cleaning wounds, or when storing contact lenses. It is also the safer option if you are unsure about proper preparation techniques for homemade versions.

A small amount of baking soda (pure bicarbonate) is often added to homemade saline recipes to make the solution less irritating and more comfortable, as it helps buffer the pH.