Nasal Irrigation: Neti Pot or Neil Med Sinus Kit?

[lovemyfamily6]

I had sinus surgery a couple years ago. One of my instructions was to do nasal irrigation daily. They recommended a Neil Med Sinus Kit. I've been using that with good results, BUT the tube that goes in the bottle keeps getting moldy or something. It's white naturally but keeps turning shades of orange/pink/brown. I keep seeing the Neti pots but they are SO different from my bottle. The bottle is really easy to use and the Neti pot looks a little tricky. I'm tired of replacing the bottle all the time though, it gets expensive!

For those that use a Neti, how do you clean it? Is there a certain kind that is better than another? I've seen some differences in them.

[Porcelain Interior]

I just mix up the solution pour some in the palm of my hand and snort it. No pot.

[lovemyfamily6]

How do you get enough? I use the full eight ounces for sure!

[nalo]

Keeping a neti pot clean isn't an issue. There aren't any tubes or anything. Just wash it like you would wash any dishes - warm soap and water and dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. They are a little tricky to get the hang of at first but once you figure it out you'll be good to go.

[Porcelain Interior]

Originally Posted by lovemyfamily6

How do you get enough? I use the full eight ounces for sure!

Well you can also if you do it in a shallow bowl just snort it straight out of there, but the neti pots are easy to clean, they are generally ceramic.

I just never bothered to get one.

[Liea]

I love my Neti Pot. I just rinse it well after I use it and it's never been "dirty". There's a good video on You Tube to show you how to use the Neti Pot and it really is easy after you do it a couple times.

I bought the white ceramic one with the pretty design just because I had a horrible sinus infection and was in much much pain and it was... well... pretty! I really don't think it matters much which one you buy though.

[emilysmama]

Okay, I don't have problems with the tubing getting dirty/moldy tubing with my Sinus Rinse bottle. I have to admit that I've never tried the Neti Pot, but I like the volume and force that I get with the Sinus Rinse bottle. If I were in your shoes, I would try to replace just the tubing. I'd probably buy a large 25 foot roll and replace it every so often. Much cheaper than replacing the bottles.

1. Hardware store or home depot. Standard 1/4in tubing. Probably polyethylene. If I were really concerned about cleanliness, and I don't think I would be all that concerned, I would look at the part of the store where you buy parts to hook up the icemaker to refrigerators and buy a section of tubing from there.

2. Restaurant supply store. Like GFS (Gordon Food Services). They must sell food grade plastic tubing, I would think. How else would restaurants do all of their soft drink machines.