Step-by-Step Guide — May 2026
Most first-time users get it wrong on session one. The head position is counter-intuitive, the SaltPod click matters, and breathing technique makes the difference. This guide covers everything — including what nobody mentions in the box instructions.
2 × AA batteries
Not included in box
Open the battery compartment on the back of the device and insert 2 AA batteries. The device will not work without them — Navage is battery-powered, not rechargeable. A fresh set of batteries typically lasts 3–4 weeks with daily use.
Place one SaltPod into the SaltPod chamber (top of the device). Press down firmly until you feel and hear a distinct click. This click matters — it pierces the pod and opens the saline channel. A half-inserted pod produces no flow.
This is the most common mistake. Unlike a neti pot (which requires 45-degree head tilt), the Navage works best with your head level or chin slightly forward over the sink. Tilting sideways risks saline draining toward your ears — uncomfortable and unnecessary.
Insert the upper nosepiece snugly into one nostril. The fit needs to create a seal — if air escapes around the nosepiece, suction drops and flow decreases. Press it gently but firmly against the inside of the nostril. Either nostril works; most users start with the more open side.
Press and hold the power button. Saline flows in through the upper nostril and exits through the lower nostril into the sealed collection chamber below the device. The full cycle takes about 10–15 seconds.
Critical: breathe through your mouth, not your nose, during the rinse.
Breathing through your nose during the rinse interrupts the flow — you'll feel a sputtering sensation. Open your mouth, breathe slowly, and let the device run its full cycle.
After the rinse: remove and discard the used SaltPod. Empty the lower collection chamber (used saline + cleared mucus) into the sink. Rinse both chambers with clean water. Air dry with chambers open. Do not submerge the device — it contains a motor and battery compartment.
Normalizing the weirdness
First-time nasal irrigation feels strange — full stop. Saline moving through your nose is genuinely unfamiliar. Almost every user describes the first session as "weird" or "uncomfortable" and rates the second and third as dramatically easier. Give yourself 3 sessions before judging the Navage.
| Situation | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|
| Active allergy season | Once daily (morning) |
| Active sinus congestion / cold | Once or twice daily |
| Maintenance (off season) | 3–4 times per week |
| Post-nasal drip management | Once daily (evening) |
Consult your ENT or allergist for personalized frequency guidance if you have chronic sinusitis or complex nasal conditions.
The Navage Starter Bundle comes with 20 SaltPods — enough for your first 20 sessions while you get the technique down.
See Navage Starter Bundle on Amazon →