A neti pot is a shallow container with a long, tapered spout. Neti pots are designed for rinsing or irrigating the nasal cavity. This irrigation helps relieve nasal congestion.

You don't need to buy a manufactured solution to use in a neti pot. A homemade solution works just as well. Use water that's labeled distilled or sterile to prevent infections that can occur with other types of water. You can use tap water if it's been boiled and cooled until lukewarm. Tap water that's been filtered using a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller also can be used to make irrigation solution.

Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with similarly distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered water. Dry the inside with a clean paper towel or leave it open to air-dry.