A nasal passage cleaning composition according to the invention comprises water and salt as a base, and contains a mucolytic agent such as alum and/or zinc sulphate to shrink the mucosa and allow sinus passage drainage, decreasing pressure in the infected sinus an alleviates sinus headache and face ache. A preferred mucolytic agent is n-acetyl-L-cystine, which is used to dissolve or soften mucus in the nasal passages, though methyl salicylate may also be used to disintegrate crusted mucus, acting also as a topical anti-inflammatory agent and as a pain relieving agent to reduce pain and discomfort.