How do I clean my menstrual cup between my monthly uses?
When done with the week of use with a menstrual cup, you should always sterilize it thoroughly. Although emptying it during its week on duty does help keep it clean, it is recommended that you sterilize it once after every weekly use by boiling it for 5 minutes, rinsing it, drying it off, and then storing it in a cool, dry place (in its storage pouch preferably.)
Some people don’t boil their cups at all. It’s your choice to or not. But if you do, make sure that you boil it for at least five minutes.
Make sure to read through the cup manufacture’s booklet. Sometimes they suggest against certain cleaning methods.
Some other methods of cleaning are just using a mild soap and water, soaking in peroxide, denture tablets, and Milton tablets.
Personally, on a normal basis I just use soap and water before I store my cup between periods. If/when my cup starts getting stains on it I soak it in a peroxide/water mix over night. I know some people can’t use ANY soap while cleaning their cups or vaginas. They just simply wash well with hot water.
When speaking of cleaning menstrual cup, I feel women quite anxious about the hygiene side of it. It makes me think of doctors that will give you antibiotics just to be on the safe side so they can’t be taken to court in case something goes wrong.
Menstrual cup brands also protect themselves.
– store it in a clean cotton pouch
– wash it with neutral soap that won’t leave residue that could cause irritation
– make sure the little holes near the rim are clean
– if you had some kind of infection, thrush or whatnot, do boil your cup or disinfect it somehow. There are many ways to do it. You can read some more about that on: how to use a menstrual cup
You may want to read my article: Menstrual cup and public bathrooms – It’s not that bad!
PS: it’s a Lalicup on the picture.
