Feeling stuffed up from sinus or allergy issues? To breathe freely again, consider nasal irrigation, an easy technique that clears out your clogged nasal passages. The passages and sinuses within your nose are lined with a mucous membrane. If the membrane becomes inflamed, it swells and blocks the sinuses from draining. Nasal irrigation flushes excess mucous and can reduce inflammation, providing relief for people of any age. You can perform it at almost any time – just don’t do it before you go to bed, to ensure easy breathing as you sleep. How do you perform nasal irrigation? First, you’ll need a container such as a neti pot, or the tip of a syringe or squeeze bottle. You’ll also need to prepare a saline solution. To do so, mix lukewarm, sterilized water with the salt mixture provided. To prevent infection, the water must be distilled – or if you’re using tap water – be sure to boil and let it cool first.. Never use non-sterile tap water, even if you use a water filter, and make sure the water is not too hot. Wash your hands thoroughly. Next, stand over the sink. Place the spout of your container just inside your nostril with the tip going in no further than the width of your finger. Keeping your mouth open, tilt your head down and either tilt the pot or squeeze your container or to pour the water into your nostril. Remember to breathe through your mouth, not your nose. The solution will run through your nasal passages and drain out of your other nostril and maybe your mouth. Spit out any solution that goes into your mouth. Gently blow your nose to clear out the remaining saline solution, then repeat this process with your other nostril. It’s very important to keep your nasal irrigation device clean, as it may harbor bacteria that can cause an infection. Always throw away any leftover solution, and thoroughly clean the items you used. Let them air dry, and store them in a clean, dry place. Just like a toothbrush, throw out your nasal irrigation device every few months and buy a new one. Nasal irrigation is a simple process to keep you breathing easy – talk to your health care provider if you want to learn more.