Snotty Boss FAQ

Be gentle!

The collection cup may crack if twisted too hard or too far!! 

NOTE: the 2 inner tubes DO NOT align. 

VIDEO 1 - Assembly and Suction Test

• Made of medical grade soft silicone and are gentle on little noses. 
• Use the largest tip that will fit your child.
• Support child's head in elevated position.
• Fully insert nozzle to create a seal.

TIP: Seal the other nostril with finger tip for 5 seconds, to create stronge vacuum seal, for superior suction.

• Use AA alkaline batteries or rechargeable lithium AA batteries 
• Average batteries last for 2 hours of use, or 500 sessions. 
• In periods of non-use please remove batteries to avoid sweating and corrosion.
• Store in drawstring bag (included in kit).

• Saline spray is an OPTIONAL first step. 
• Saline loosens the nasal mucus, and lessens the risk of agitating nasal membranes. 
• Kit comes with an empty, refillable saline spray bottle, recipe below.

Breastmilk is also a natural, nutrient-rich substance that can be squirted up the nose to clear infection and loosen up any mucus for easier extraction.  If filling spray bottle with breastmilk, keep in fridge and discard after 24 hours. Ensure the bottle and tube is well cleaned in warm water.

Please watch Video 3, for a full demonstration of the Snotty Boss

VIDEO 5 - Saline and Snotty Boss Demo

• Newborns are usually unfazed but sometimes older babies and toddlers can be a little unsure, or even completely freaked out.
• Remember Snotty Boss is the quietest battery powered aspirator on the Australian market. It doesn't hurt at all, just a slight vibration, then the soothing relief of a clear nose so breathe better.
• But we acknowledge that snot sucking is not a fun activity.
• No parent likes to see their little one upset, but the Snotty Boss is the quickest way to remove nasal congestion so they can breathe, sleep and feel better.
• We believe the medical benefits of removing snot at the source, before it can become a secondary chest, ear or adenoid infection far outweighs a moment (or 10!!!) of fuss and wriggle.  

Try these fun distractions and tricks...

1. If they are old enough, let your child use the Snotty Boss on you first. Let them press the button and put it up YOUR NOSE.  Laugh and giggle and tell them it tickles.  Show them there is nothing to be afraid of.

2. Let your child play "doctor" and use the Snotty Boss on their 'sick' dolls and teddies as a game! 

3.  Try doing a simple countdown game from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 while operating, to show children it really only takes a few seconds.  

4.  Turn on ABC4Kids, and delight in the ultimate quick distraction.  Remember, they won't get much time to watch, because you will only need a few seconds up each nostril to clear the nose!

Ultimately, keep calm, and show your child there is nothing to be scared about.  

Children will breathe, feed and sleep so much better once the snot is gone.  Plus it will aid in quicker recovery from their cold and congestion, and reduce the risk of secondary ear, adenoid and respiratory infection.  

Every child has a different temperament.  They may never really love using Snotty Boss, but as a dedicated, loving parent you are doing the right thing by helping them breathe and recover quicker from colds and congestion.

We understand your child may be unsure at first and even months down the track it still may not be their favourite thing to do, but when their health is compromised, it's worth it!

Correct cleaning is essential to ensure a long lifespan.  

There are 2 levels of cleaning - Basic and Advanced

1. Basic Cleaning

Snotty Boss collection cup (2 clear plastic pieces) is waterproof.

Twist/detach plastic collection cup pieces and silicone nozzle off the base unit and wash/soak in hot water (not steriliser or dishwasher). Use cleaning brush in kit. 

Nozzles can be cleaned sterilised or dishwasher. 

The white base handset CANNOT be rinsed or submergedsoaked (as the battery compartment is not waterproof). 

2. Advanced Internal Motor Flush/Dry

The white handset (containing motor and batteries) can be flushed internally if

- snot has leaked or entered into the white handset, or 

- motor sounds "gurgly", or 

- as general maintenance after 200 uses or every 6 moths, as a general guide

Do not submerge the white handset in water. Please watch video from 3:50

All flushed water must be expelled from motor, to avoid rust

VIDEO 7 - GENERAL FAQ AND CLEANING

You know how good it feels to blow your nose each morning - even when you are not sick! Your baby or toddler can't tell you when they have a giant booger up their nose, so this daily activity keep them healthy and happy. 

Step 1:  2 squirts of saline up each nostril

Step 2: Suction any loose mucus with the Snotty Boss

VIDEO 8

Read the full NASAL FLUSHING blog here.

Mastering the best technique does take a bit of practice.  

We understand it can be tricky to get the correct insertion angle and depth when dealing with a wriggly baby or toddler at the same time.  

Firstly, make sure you've got well charged alkaline or rechargeable batteries and have used a couple of squirts of saline in each nostril - the Snotty Boss can't suction dry, crusty snot! 

And of course, make sure the batteries are inserted the right way. 

To check the suction level, we recommend you do the "palm suction test" first.  Remove the TOP piece of collection cup, so you are left with the round opening (the size of a 20c piece)  Press the power button and place the unit onto the palm of your hand. 

VIDEO 9 - Palm Suction Test

Another way to check the function is with the "Tomato Sauce Test" - as it's the same consistency as snot, just a different colour!  

Squirt some tomato sauce onto a plate, and suction it up with the Snotty Boss - it should be suctioned quickly and easily, just like in the video below.  

Just take off the collection cup and rinse the unit under a warm tap to clean.

Help, I Still Can't Get Anything Out Of My Child's Nose

There may be times when your child is sick, and you can hear the mucus rattling, but despite using the Snotty Boss correctly, you are unable to extract any mucus from the nasal passage.

The answers are on our CONGESTION BLOG: Click HERE to read

Here are some tips that may help. 

1. The nozzle is not sealing the nose when used - please push the Snotty Boss further into the nostril to seal the entire nostril. If outside air is sucked into aspirator, it will not extract from inside the nose of your child.

2. The snot in your child's nose may thick and dry - please hydrate your child, use a vaporiser, use saline before aspiration and aspirate in bath or shower to take advantage of the steam. The Snotty Boss may not be able to extract a dry, crusty piece of snot.

3. The rattling mucus you can hear is in the throat or chest, not nasal passages, as such the aspirator will not help - please contact your health professional for best action and continue using saline spray to flush the mucus as much as possible.

Store the unit in a dry place. Keep all pieces in the green carry bag, to avoid losing a nozzle.

Remove batteries if in storage for extended periods, to avoid battery rusting, especially in the warmer months. 

Storage between 5-35 degrees.

What Is Covered...

• WHITE HANDSET: The 12 month warranty covers material and workmanship faults with the white handset/motor and suction.

To avoid issues, assemble pieces carefully and use upright. Keep the handset dry and perform the ADVANCED INTERNAL FLUSH if the motor ever sounds 'leaky' or 'gurgly'.

• ACCESSORIES: Occasionally, a nozzle or collection cup is damaged at factory or in transit. If you notice broken or cracked accessories on first use, please email hello@snottynoses.com.au with a photo of the broken piece. We will send a replacement (broken accessories must be claimed within 1 month of purchase).

What Isn't Covered....

- reasonable wear & tear or breakage of accessories (eg nozzles and collection cup) after 1 month of purchase

- issues arising from damage caused by accidentally dropping the unit or rough handling.

- issues from incorrect use or cleaning.

My Snotty Boss Was Working Last Week, But Now There's a Problem....

If Snotty Boss is assembled, used and cleaned correctly, the unit should function well for years and years. The causes for machine failure after months/years of use is usually

1. Accidentally dropped (part of the unit has broken internally).

2. Batteries need changing or recharging.

3. Snot has leaked to white motor handset and is clogged. The angle of operation has caused snot to get into the lower pipe of collection cup (which suctions straight to motor, which makes motor sound gurgly). If not flushed immediately, the snot dries and stops the motor cog turning.

• Scenario A: I can hear the motor, but there is no/low suction.

If the motor sounds sluggish, the unit needs new batteries. Hopefully that fixes the problem.

If the motor is whirring as normal but there is no suction, there is something preventing normal suction. It could be the motor or the collection cup.

Remove the clear plastic collection cup and place your finger over the centre hole of the light blue piece. Can you feel suction there? If yes, it likely means the motor is fine but there is a problem with collection cup. There may be a crack in the plastic which is compromising the suction. Inspect the plastic pieces carefully.

Also check the 2 blue rubber o-rings are still in place, which will ensure the collection cup fits on tightly for maximum suction. 

Wear and tear of collection cup and nozzles is not covered under warranty. Spare collection cups can be purchased here. Spare nozzles can be purchased here.

• Scenario B: I've pressed the power button, but it's completely dead. No sound, no suction.

1. As the unit has worked previously, we know it's not a factory fault. Issue could be:

- batteries need replacing or recharging

- unit has been dropped, and something has broken internally or wires have detached

- unit has not been cleaned sufficiently, dry snot is inside white handset and is stopping the motor from turning.

2. First step is to change or recharge batteries.

3. If there is still no power, it could mean that some snot has leaked into the internal motor last time it was used. Internal snot then dries and OBSTRUCTS THE MOTOR COG, so it won't turn. 

4. Remove collection cup and TAP, TAP,TAP the white base UNIT FIRMLY on a very hard bench top 8-10 times on the base and 8-10 times on the sides. Watch Video 7 below at 7:30 mark.

5. If you restart your machine after TAPPING, we recommend doing an ADVANCED INTERNAL FLUSH, as per Video 7

If the motor or suction can't be fixed, and if the unit is within 12 month warranty, we can send a replacement white handset. 

Please email hello@snottynoses.com.au with your name, phone number and current address. Attach a 10-20 second video:

FOR DEAD MOTOR: Video to show new batteries inserted and rotated in the battery case, tapping unit on bench top + power button pressed.

FOR LOW/NO SUCTION: Video to show new batteries inserted, palm suction covering circle opening of lower collection cup (see Hand Suction Test in Video 4 above)

Once the video is assessed, we will determine what piece needs to be sent to fix the issue. We will include a reply paid satchel to get the faulty piece back.

If you purchased from a pharmacy or baby store and your unit is faulty:

Email us a video and description of the issue and include the store receipt. We will troubleshoot to get your machine working. Include your full name, address and mobile number on the email. 

If Snotty Boss is not the easiest and most convenient way to clear your child's nose, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price.

We may ask a few questions to check if the product might be faulty.

For purchases from our website: please email hello@snottynoses.com.au with your name, phone number, requesting a 60 day satisfaction return. The unit can be returned back to us (at your expense) for a refund of the product price, less a $7 processing fee.

*We will advise return address upon receiving your email. 

For purchases from a pharmacy/retail store: please return the unit to the pharmacy for refund. Receipt will be required. 

Thank you for putting your trust in the Snotty Boss Nasal Aspirator and shopping with snottynoses.com.au. We'd love you to tell your friends and family about the product that is transforming the way families deal with colds and congestion.

As always, if your child's symptoms and conditions worsen, please contact your medical professional for advice and treatment. This advice is general only and may not apply to all customers at all times. 

Reviews and comments make our world go around.  Click to the Snotty Boss Product Page and leave a review at the bottom of the page...

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