With just a few simple ingredients, you can quickly prepare saline solution. Photo: Getlabtest.
Saline solution is not something unfamiliar; in fact, it is a common medical product often found in household medicine cabinets. It is widely used in many situations such as cleaning the nose and throat, rinsing the eyes, lightly disinfecting wounds, or for personal hygiene care. However, for various reasons, we do not always have this disinfectant solution readily available, for example when it is urgently needed but the home is far from a pharmacy, or in unexpected situations. In addition, many people want to proactively prepare this solution at home to save costs and ensure convenience.
How to properly prepare saline solution
At least once, most of us have prepared salt water at home, commonly by dissolving table salt in warm water to achieve a moderate salty taste and then using it without knowing whether the solution meets proper standards. In fact, an incorrect concentration can cause the opposite effect. A solution that is too salty can cause cells to shrink and damage mucous membranes, while a solution that is too dilute can cause cells to swell. For adults, the effects may be limited to discomfort or mild injury, but for children, the condition can become more serious.
The term “physiological” can be understood as the salt concentration in the solution being similar to that of tears, blood, and cellular fluids. This means that water does not move abruptly into or out of cells, helping to maintain internal balance. Therefore, saline solution is also known as an isotonic solution, 0.9% saline, or 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
For this reason, learning and applying the correct method to prepare saline solution at home with proper proportions, safety, and effectiveness has become a practical solution to meet basic daily living and healthcare needs.
0.9% sodium chloride solution is essential for nasal sinus rinsing and hygiene for newborns. Photo: Parents.
Preparation:
To prepare saline solution, you will need:
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Non-iodized table salt (or preferably Himalayan salt);
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Tap water or distilled water;
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A pot with a lid;
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Baking soda (optional, but it helps reduce irritation).
How to prepare saline solution:
If sterile distilled water is available, simply add 8 teaspoons of salt (about 40 g) to 4 liters of distilled water and shake well. It can be used immediately. You may also pour it into a tightly sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
If using regular water, follow these steps:
1. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of tap water into a pot and boil for 15 minutes;
2. Cover with a lid, remove from heat, and let it cool to room temperature;
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt (2.5 g) and stir until dissolved. You may add a pinch of baking soda and stir well;
4. Use.
Note: After preparation, the saline solution should be used immediately, or it can be stored in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours. If you plan to prepare saline solution for nasal rinsing, you should increase the dosage to a ratio of 1 liter of water : 10 g of salt : 5 g of baking soda to make a larger amount.
Some notes when using homemade saline solution
Although it is easy to prepare at home, always remember to wash your hands with soap and clean water before doing so to ensure safety. Bacteria can grow in saline solution and cause infection, so it should only be used when freshly prepared. For storage, use a clean glass bottle or jar that has been thoroughly washed in a dishwasher on a full cycle or sterilized by boiling for 10 minutes to prevent contamination.
Tap water should be boiled before mixing to remove bacteria and some impurities. A solution made from boiled tap water should be stored for no more than 24 hours. If distilled water is used, the storage time can be up to one month. If not fully used, discard the remaining solution, clean the equipment, and prepare a new batch. If the solution appears cloudy or dirty, discard it immediately.
Do not drink the saline solution and never use homemade saline for the eyes, contact lenses, or direct injection.
To keep the solution sterile, do not insert any objects directly into the bottle. Instead, pour the required amount into a separate cup or container and use a syringe to draw the solution. Do not pour unused solution back into the bottle.
FAQ
Do you know how to rinse a child’s nose with saline solution?
Regular nasal rinsing, especially when experiencing symptoms of colds, flu, allergies, or when working in polluted environments, is recommended to remove bacteria, mucus, and dirt from the nasal cavity. This helps keep the airways clear, improves breathing, enhances the effectiveness of nasal sprays, and helps prevent nasal conditions such as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.
Proper nasal rinsing for adults, young children (left), and newborns (right). Photo: KPTCHEM compilation.
However, improper nasal rinsing can cause many harmful effects, the most common being otitis media. Therefore, follow these steps correctly:
1. Pour the saline solution into a specialized nasal rinsing device;
2. Keep the child’s head bent over a sink or bathtub, slightly tilt the head to one side, insert the nozzle into the upper nostril, and gently squeeze so that the saline flows into one nostril and out through the other, helping remove debris. Tilt the head to the opposite side and repeat for the other nostril.
3. For newborns and young children, you can instill 1 to 2 drops into each nostril, wait 1 to 2 minutes, then gently wipe with a soft cloth. If necessary, use a specialized nasal aspirator to remove mucus.
You can repeat nasal rinsing several times a day or as desired. However, be sure to sterilize the nasal spray device after each use. In addition, only pour a sufficient amount of saline and do not pour it back into the bottle.
Can regular table salt be used, or must it be pure salt?
YES, however, pure salt is more ideal than regular table salt. Specifically, table salt, scientifically known as sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly used in daily cooking, is refined salt that contains various impurities and added anti-caking agents. In contrast, pure salt or Himalayan salt contains no or very few impurities.
Is pharmacy-bought sodium chloride solution safer than homemade?
If your home is close to a pharmacy, it is recommended to buy pre-prepared 0.9% sodium chloride solution. These products are manufactured in closed, sterile production lines, ensuring standard concentration and certified safety. Homemade solutions should only be used when conditions do not allow or in urgent situations when no other option is available.
Why is baking soda used when preparing saline solution?
In dentistry, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is known for many uses in oral care such as preventing tooth decay and enamel erosion, antifungal effects in the mouth, controlling periodontal disease, and reducing bad breath. Therefore, it is not unusual to find baking soda in many toothpastes.
In saline solution, the presence of baking soda helps enhance cleaning effectiveness and soothe the mucous membranes. Thanks to its mild alkalinity, baking soda helps balance pH and neutralize excess acid in the nose, throat, or oral cavity, thereby reducing burning or irritation caused by mild inflammation. In addition, a mildly alkaline environment can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi, supporting light disinfection, reducing bad breath, and inflammation. When combined with salt and water, baking soda helps the solution remove mucus and debris more effectively, providing a clearer, more comfortable feeling and improving overall effectiveness compared to regular saline.
