Can I use sodium chloride as saline solution? Here's what you need to know

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Saline solution is a simple mixture of sodium chloride and water, with normal saline specifically containing a 0.9% salt concentration, mirroring the salt level in human tears and blood. Given this simple composition, many people wonder: Can I use sodium chloride as saline solution, or is medical-grade necessary?

Quick Summary

Sodium chloride is the chemical component of salt used to create saline solution, but it's crucial to understand the distinction between homemade and commercial preparations for different uses. Homemade saline is acceptable for nasal irrigation, but not for sensitive applications like eyes or contact lenses, which require sterile, precisely formulated products to prevent infection. The critical differences relate to concentration and sterility.

Key Points

Component vs. Solution: Sodium chloride is the chemical component, while saline solution is the mixture of sodium chloride dissolved in water at a specific concentration.
Homemade for Limited Uses: A non-sterile, homemade saline solution is generally safe only for limited external uses, such as nasal irrigation or gargling.
Sterility is Critical: For sensitive applications like eye washes, contact lenses, and wound cleaning, a sterile, commercially-produced saline is required to prevent serious infection.
Never Inject Homemade Saline: Homemade saline should never be injected intravenously, as it is not sterile and can cause dangerous complications.
Use Sterilized Water: To prepare homemade saline, always use boiled and cooled water or distilled water to avoid introducing harmful bacteria found in tap water.
Concentration Matters: Maintaining the correct 0.9% salt concentration for 'normal saline' is important; too much or too little salt can cause irritation to delicate tissues.

Understanding Sodium Chloride and Saline Solution

At its core, saline solution is a mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl) and water. However, not all salt water is created equal, and the specific application dictates the required preparation. 'Normal saline,' for instance, refers to a solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride—a concentration that is isotonic, or chemically similar, to the fluids found in the human body, such as blood plasma and tears. This similarity minimizes irritation and cellular damage when used on or in the body.

For many non-critical topical or irrigating uses, a homemade saline solution can be prepared by dissolving table salt (sodium chloride) in water. However, the critical factor is sterility. Commercially produced saline solutions, especially those for intravenous (IV) use or delicate applications like eyes and contact lenses, are manufactured under strict, sterile conditions to prevent contamination. Homemade solutions, by their nature, cannot replicate this level of sterility and carry a risk of introducing bacteria or other microorganisms. This is why specific uses absolutely demand a sterile, commercial product, while others may allow for a carefully prepared homemade version.

Applications for Homemade Saline

For certain purposes, a properly made homemade saline solution using sodium chloride can be effective and safe, provided the water is sterilized first. These uses are primarily for external or mucosal irrigation where perfect sterility is not absolutely critical.

Common home uses for saline include:

Nasal Irrigation: Rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution using a neti pot or squeeze bottle can help clear excess mucus, allergens, and debris, providing relief from congestion caused by allergies, colds, or sinus infections.
Gargling for Sore Throat: A salt water gargle can soothe a sore throat and help relieve discomfort.
Cleaning New Piercings: For new piercings, soaking the area in a warm saline solution can help remove debris and aid in the healing process. While many piercers recommend a sterile, commercially-sold saline, some may approve of carefully prepared homemade solutions for specific piercing aftercare.
Initial Wound Rinse: For minor cuts and scrapes, a gentle flush with a homemade saline solution can help remove dirt and debris. However, commercially-prepared wound wash is often recommended for better sterility and application control.

How to Prepare Homemade Saline with Sodium Chloride

To minimize risk, any homemade saline solution must be prepared correctly using non-iodized salt and sterilized water. Tap water should never be used directly for internal or nasal irrigation, as it can contain microbes that cause serious infections.

Method using boiled water:

Wash your hands and ensure all utensils are clean.
Boil 2 cups of water in a covered pot for 15 minutes to sterilize it.
Allow the water to cool completely to room temperature. Do not use hot or warm solution.
Mix 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt into the cooled water and stir until fully dissolved.
Store the solution in a clean, airtight container and refrigerate. Discard any unused solution after 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Homemade vs. Commercial Saline: A Comparison


Feature	Homemade Saline	Commercial Saline (Medical-Grade)
Ingredients	Non-iodized salt and sterilized water (boiled or distilled)	Purified water and pharmaceutically-pure sodium chloride
Sterility	Non-sterile; prone to bacterial contamination after 24 hours	Absolutely sterile until the seal is broken or expiry
Concentration	Less precise; potential for slight variations depending on measurement	Precisely controlled, typically 0.9% (normal saline) or higher for specific uses
Safety	High risk for sensitive uses like eyes, contact lenses, or injections	Safe for intended medical use, including IV and ophthalmic applications
Storage	Limited shelf life (typically 24 hours refrigerated)	Long shelf life, remains sterile until opened
Best For	Nasal irrigation, gargling, non-sensitive wound rinsing	IV hydration, eye washes, contact lenses, sensitive wound care

Critical Safety Warnings

While using sodium chloride to make saline for some home uses is acceptable, several critical precautions must be taken to ensure safety:

Never use homemade saline for eye care or contact lenses. The risk of serious eye infection from non-sterile solution is high. Always use a sterile, commercially manufactured saline product specifically for this purpose.
Never inject homemade saline. Intravenous use requires a perfectly sterile, medical-grade solution to prevent severe complications, including infection or fluid overload.
Monitor concentration carefully. A homemade solution that is too salty (hypertonic) can irritate and dry out sensitive tissues, like the inside of your nose. Using plain, un-salted water (hypotonic) for nasal irrigation can also cause irritation.
Always use sterilized water. Tap water can contain low levels of microorganisms that are safe to drink but can cause severe infection if introduced into the sinuses, eyes, or bloodstream. Boiled and cooled water or distilled water is a must.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sodium chloride is the essential component of saline solution, and for specific, low-risk topical applications such as nasal irrigation or gargling, a carefully prepared homemade solution can be a viable and safe option. However, the critical distinction between homemade and commercial preparations lies in their sterility and precision. For any high-risk application, including eye care, contact lenses, deep wound cleaning, or intravenous use, commercially manufactured, sterile saline is the only safe and appropriate choice. When in doubt, always use a professionally prepared, sterile product or consult a healthcare provider for guidance. For more comprehensive information on safe practices, you can review resources from health organizations like the Cleveland Clinic or the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The standard ratio is 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt for every 2 cups of sterilized (boiled and cooled) water to create an isotonic solution, which is similar in concentration to body fluids.

Yes, you can use plain, non-iodized table salt (sodium chloride) to make a homemade saline solution for approved uses, but always ensure the water is sterilized and the measurements are precise.

While homemade saline can be used for rinsing minor, superficial cuts and scrapes, medical-grade, sterile saline is always the safer and more hygienic option for wound care.

Homemade saline should be stored in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator and discarded after 24 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Isotonic saline (0.9% sodium chloride) has the same salt concentration as body fluids, making it gentle for daily use. Hypertonic saline contains a higher salt concentration and is used to draw out moisture, typically for stubborn congestion, but can cause more stinging.

Tap water is not sterile and can contain microorganisms that are harmless when swallowed but can cause severe, sometimes fatal, infections if introduced into the nasal passages. Always use boiled and cooled, distilled, or sterile water.

No, you should never use homemade saline for contact lenses. Ophthalmic solutions require precise sterility and formulation to prevent serious eye infections. Always use a commercially prepared, sterile solution designed for contact lenses.