Eye Wash Bottles, Sprays & Pods

Eye Wash Buying Guide

Depending on the type of hazards present in your workplace, as well as its size and scope, you might need to think about including eye wash bottles and sprays in either your first aid kit or room. Saline solution is a simple and effective way of washing eyes that have come in contact with either a foreign body or a contaminating liquid. You don’t even need to be working in a particularly dangerous or hazardous environment for this to happen. Seemingly low-risk workplaces such as an office, can benefit from including this liquid in your emergency response kits.

We have a wide variety of saline-based items available in the form of bottled eyewash or single individually sealed capsules. The Plum Saline Eye Wash Solution, for example, comes in an easy to squeeze bottle that even includes ergonomic eye shaped cups, which perfectly conform to the shape of the users’ eye for better comfort and accurate handling.

The Plum pH-Neutral Eye Wash Solution comes in either a 200 ml or one litre bottle and is made up of a pH neutral liquid that is 50 times more effective than water when it comes to washing out an infected or otherwise injured eye.

Looking for something more portable? The Saline Eye Wash Pods are supplied as a pack of 25 capsules. Each contains 20 ml of eyewash for cleansing small foreign bodies from the eye, which are perfect for including in most medical incident kits.

We also carry wound and eye wash spray wall brackets that can be combined with 250ml bottles and are small enough to be deployed in small spaces, providing a useful alternative to eye wash stations that otherwise tend to need to be attached to plumbed mains supplies and are usually much larger in size.

For larger workplaces, our Quick Access Emergency Eye Wash Adhesive Storage Hook and Complete Eye Care Station each offer a convenient wall mounted eye wash station solution. A wall mounted eye rinse unit is a great way to provide eye cleansing facilities at the point they are needed most. Having a dedicated place for these products is ideal for ensuring they can always be found, as well as maintaining stock levels of bottled liquid or drops.

Our Top 3 Eye Wash Bottles, Sprays & Pods

Saline Eye Wash

• Versatile - ideal for rinsing eyes and wounds


• Soft plastic container allows the rate of flow to be controlled


• Available with or without eye bath cap

Saline Eye Wash Pods

• Perfect size to treat an eye injury with minimal waste


• Soft, easy to squeeze 20 ml single containers


• Suitable for washing small foreign bodies from the eye

Complete Eye Care Station

• Perfect for installation at home or in the workplace


• Wall mounted pack includes shatterproof mirror for easy administering of wash


• Compact size is suitable for most locations

Don't forget to include important accessories. We supply a full range of useful accessories such as the Plum Belt Bag, and don’t forget to add emergency eye wash station signs to your order, to go with your new eyewash containers.

At Seton we pride ourselves on providing the best quality supplies and accessories at a competitive price. Order today for quick and easy delivery from our UK distribution hub.

What is eye wash used for?

Often called saline or salinated water, this liquid is recommended for cleaning the eyes when they become contaminated. The probability of contact with a wide range of foreign objects or substances is high, particularly if proper protective equipment is not provided in an industrial, or other high risk, environment.

During regular day to day activities, most people will not require these products, and as such it is not advocated to routinely cleanse the human eye in this way. However there are many settings where the eye is under increased exposure to damage - from chemicals, particles and other objects or substances.

If the eye comes into contact with a foreign object, no matter what size, it is best to apply liquid rather than try to retrieve it by hand. Doing the latter could cause significantly more damage and discomfort. For particular high risk locations you may prefer a more permanent plumbed-in solution, possibly alongside an emergency shower.

Similarly if the eye becomes contaminated with a strong acidic or alkaline substance, the eye may quickly feel sore and dry. As such it is best to flush with pH-neutral eyewash. Doing so is far more effective than water or alternative homemade solutions.

As well as for the treatment of ocular conditions and accidents, medical salinated liquid can also be applied to cleanse wounds and minor skin abrasions. However it is important to note these items are not intended to treat ocular conditions such as blepharitis or dry eyes. For these it is best to consult a medical professional or, for minor conditions, use artificial tears, in the form of drops or sprays.

How to use eye wash?

Depending on the type of item you are using there may be multiple ways to administer the liquid. The most common methods are via a nozzle applicator or spray and an eye bath or cup.

Nozzle Applicator/Spray

• Hold the applicator in position firmly against your face


• Lean your head back and open your eyes wide


• Gently squeeze the bottle to release the product


• Maintain a consistent flow for as long as is required

Eye Bath/Cup

• Ensure the cup is well rinsed, using a small amount of the product


• Fill the eye bath with fresh cleanser, up to approximately halfway


• Hold the cup over your eye socket. This should be tight enough to minimise leaks but not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable


• Tilt your head back and open your eye


• Move the eye around to help ensure full coverage with the product


• Rinse the cup with fresh water

No matter which method you use, it is important to remove any contact lenses, if worn, and not to replace them for around 5 minutes following each wash.

For specific step by step directions, always consult the manufacturer’s instructions included with your product.

Is eye wash good for your eyes?

Off the shelf eyewash products are safe for treatment, but it is important to remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly if guidance is given in terms of frequency or volume of the liquid to be dispensed.

Also, you should avoid using these items routinely. It isn’t necessary to regularly ‘wash’ the eye - that is what tears and the act of blinking is designed for.
Using an eye wash solution is a great way to flush out any contaminants as well as soothe the eye following an incident.

Does eye wash expire?

In short - yes. As a rule of thumb; salinated liquid has a shelf life of approximately two to three years from the point of manufacture.

During the manufacturing process the container is sealed. However once this seal is broken, the usable life is reduced to around six months.

Is eye wash the same as saline solution?

In most cases, eyewash solutions are made from a combination of sterilised water and a compound called sodium chloride. Sodium Chloride is a salt and when combined, this is known as a salinated solution.

In a similar fashion saline may be commonly labelled as ‘eye wash’ on pharmacy or supermarket shelves.

Our Saline Eye Wash is available in a range of sizes and formats - with or without an eye bath. This sterile solution is ideal for flushing out particles or liquid while the soft plastic bottle allows rate of flow to be controlled with ease.

When is an eye wash station required?

For work environments where the need for an eye wash kit is more common, such as in a factory, workshop, laboratory or hospital, you might want to consider the ease of access when it comes to the placement of suitable bottled salinated water.

In smaller offices, it makes sense for these supplies to be kept in a first aid kit, but in environments where an eye related injury is more likely to occur and potentially on a more regular basis, then the deployment of a wall bracket or one-stop permanent unit should really be considered. In this way, you can be sure your workers can quickly and easily access emergency rinsing solutions in the event of an incident.

For more information, and to find the best solution for your needs; take a look at our huge collection of Eye Wash Stations.

Where should eye wash facilities be located?

Eye washing facilities, such as all-in-one units or individual containers; should be located as close as possible to any area where there is a heightened risk of eye injury or contamination.

Your risk assessment should provide an indication of which work areas present a greater risk of such hazards.

No matter what kind of facilities you choose to install your provisions should be;

• Positioned in such a way that it cannot be contaminated by the work area


• Marked with a highly visible sign so individuals can locate the facilities quickly when required


• In a location that is well lit


• Always kept clear of obstructions which may cause a trip or other hazard


• Located on the same floor as the work area and not divided by partitions or stairs

How many eye wash stations are required?

This will largely depend on a number of factors such as;

• The size and nature of the business


• The number of employees on site at any given time


• The nature and probability of hazard or incident risk

It is best to consult your risk assessment to determine the number of such facilities you may be required to install. Remember it is your responsibility, as an employer, to ensure adequate and suitable first aid provisions are supplied to protect your team.

Can baking soda or boric acid be used as an eye wash?

There are many guides and tutorials online to create your own homemade eye remedy - often using baking soda or boric acid - however we strongly recommend against trying to concoct your own eyewash mixture.

It is vital that these liquids are manufactured in a way that they are safe for service on one of the most durable yet delicate organs of your body. As such eye wash must be formulated in a way that is compatible with the biological makeup of the human eye.

Whilst off the shelf remedies, such as our Saline Eye Wash Pods are sterile and safe for application, many of the recipes found online are unregulated and offer no guarantees as to the safety of the resulting liquid.

Created with care and the right formulation it is possible to produce a suitable cleansing liquid with baking soda and boiled water. While this might be adequate for a temporary or emergency domestic purpose, homemade remedies are not appropriate for the workplace.

In all instances we always recommend an item such as the Plum Saline Eye Wash Solution. Unlike a homemade concoction this item is compliant with EU directive 92/42/EEC and is manufactured to DIN EN 15154-4.

Don’t let yourself or your team pay the price for poor emergency provisions. Order the supplies and accessories you need today with fast, fuss-free delivery.