Rinse bottles, often called sinus or nasal rinse bottles, are used to clean out your nasal passages, which can help if you have chronic sinus issues or have simple nasal congestion. To choose the best rinse bottle, you need to first decide if you want a disposable bottle or one you can re-use repeatedly. Regardless of the type of bottle you choose, it should fit comfortably in your nose and be easy to administer whatever solution is in the bottle, usually a mixture of warm water and salt. Rinse bottles are readily available online and in drug stores, health food stores and medical supply stores.
The use of rinse bottles is an ancient practice that goes back several centuries. Using a rinse bottle is similar to using a neti pot, a form of rinse bottle that originated in the Ayurvedic yoga tradition of India. Many modern reusable rinse bottles are similar to neti pots, although they are typically made of plastic, which allows you to squeeze the solution contained in the bottle into your nose.
Another advantage to choosing a reusable rinse bottle is they are often less expensive over time, and are easier to use, as they can be customized with pivoting tops. The disadvantage is that you might need to create your own mixture of salt and water, which can cause irritation of your nose if you use too much salt. Creating a set recipe can help avoid this problem.
Many rinse bottles come prepackaged with a solution already inside the bottle. The bottles are usually made of plastic and are similar to bottles used to administer nasal sprays. In some cases, prepackaged rinse bottles come with additional packets of saline mixture, which is convenient, particularly if they have added ingredients that can soothe nasal irritation. The disadvantage of these types of bottles is they can be expensive over time, particularly if you dispose of them after one or two uses.
One key thing to consider, regardless of the type of rinse bottle you choose, is if the bottle prevents the solution from re-entering your nose once you squeeze it out of the bottle. Some bottles are made to prevent this while others are not. If you have a cold or allergies, allowing the solution back into your nose could cause reinfection or allow irritants back into your nose once you squeeze the bottle again. Check the bottle label to ensure if it has that function.