How to clean a menstrual cup?

How to care for menstrual cups during menstruation?

A menstrual cup can be even more hygienic than pads ortampons . Keep in mind that it is a collector , which means that compared to other sanitary products, it collects fluid instead of absorbing it.

Properly used, it reduces the risk of toxic shock syndrome . In addition, the cup is made of medical silicone: it does not contain glue, fragrances or bleaches, so it does not cause allergic reactions.

Before we discover the secrets of menstrual cup hygiene together, it is worth reminding you to have clean hands every time you touch hygiene products !

See also our article: Is the menstrual cup safe?

How to wash a menstrual cup during your period?

The first and most intuitive way is to rinse the cup under running water.

A thorough wash will clean the smooth walls and edges made of medical silicone. First, rinse the cup under cold water. Starting with warm water will expose it to discoloration.

Remember that menstrual fluid tends to hide in the holes. To get rid of the secretion that is stuck in them, pour water into the cup. Then, place your hand on top, blocking the water outlet, and squeeze it vigorously. The water will escape through the holes, unclogging them at the same time!

After washing, you do not have to wipe the cup dry. The remaining moisture can make it easier to re-apply, providing additional slip . However, if the moisture is not sufficient, you can lubricate the edges of the cup before inserting it - Your KAYA intimate gel , made from water and aloe, is great for this purpose . It is completely safe and free from any substances that may irritate intimate areas.

Washing with just water is an effective and hygienic way to clean your cup between uses. However, if you feel more comfortable washing your cup with detergent, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• First of all, take care of gentleness . The detergent should have a mild and preferably simple (short) composition.
• Use water-based gels or soaps .
• Make sure that the detergent does not contain any oil-based substances (e.g. coconut oil, which can be difficult to emulsify from the surface of the cup).
• Avoid fragrances and antibacterial agents , which can dry out and irritate intimate areas when in contact with them.
• Avoid cosmetic silicones and harsh cleaning agents (SLS and SLES) , whose alkaline pH poses a threat to the acidic environment of the vulva.
• Use gels or soaps with a pH of 3.5 to 4.5 .

All of the above criteria will be met by our intimate hygiene fluid . This product is safe and its composition will not damage the cup. Additionally, it will help maintain the correct vaginal pH.

The above methods will work in home conditions or in a toilet with a sink. But what if the conditions are extreme and the public toilet where you have to deal with your period does not have access to a sink?

• First of all, make sure your hands are clean! Washing or disinfecting them is a must before any activity involving inserting the cup into the vagina.
• You can use water from a bottle , which will help you empty and wash your cup within the four walls of the cabin. Of course, you will only allow yourself such delicacies if you foresee such a need.

Did cleaning your cup in a public restroom surprise you? Take a few deep breaths and quickly analyze your surroundings. Do you have tissues or toilet paper on hand? You're saved! Wiping any remaining fluids off your cup will prepare it for reuse.

When you find intimate hygiene wet wipes in your bag, note that most of them are for external use only . There are wet wipes for cleaning menstrual cups on the market that will be great in such situations!

How often should I clean my menstrual cup during my period?

The frequency of washing the cup depends on its emptying. On each of these occasions, one of the above-mentioned methods should be used. At the same time, remember that cleaning the cup more often than the emptying cycle requires can disturb the vaginal bacterial flora. Therefore, during your period , you can only wash it between inserting the cup, which is on average every 4 to 8 hours .

If you are wondering what to do in case of a leak, read our text " Leaking menstrual cup – how to deal with it? ".

Menstrual cup hygiene before and after use

Don't skip cleaning and disinfecting your cup when you first use it and after you've finished using it. How you care for your cup between periods has a significant impact on its hygiene, condition and durability.

Once the last drop of blood has drained, the emotions have died down, and the hot water bottle has cooled down, you can say goodbye to the cup for a few weeks. But before that happens, take a moment to clean it. Make cleaning your cup a habit! Before performing a general sterilization, you should first rinse the cup to wash away any remaining secretions.

How to disinfect a menstrual cup?

To disinfect the cup, expose it to high temperature or use dedicated (or household) cleaning products.

To properly boil the cup, set aside about 5 minutes (pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations). When boiling, make sure the water level prevents the cup from touching the bottom of the pot.

If you cannot disinfect it in a pot, you can try sterilizing the cup in boiling water .

There are special tablets available on the market for sterilizing baby accessories , which are great for disinfecting a menstrual cup. Just use a sterilizer in water and place the cup in the resulting solution. Then rinse it with clean water - and you're done!

When cleaning the cup, don't forget about its holes!

To help remove any menstrual fluid, use a toothbrush with soft bristles (not the same one you brush your teeth with, of course!). The toothbrush will do a great job of removing dirt and won't damage the surface of the menstrual cup.

If you want to learn about cup insertion, read the articles: How to insert a menstrual cup ? and How to remove a menstrual cup ?

Storing your menstrual cup

Between periods

Unlike pads and tampons, the issue of storage is also important in the case of the cup. The cup packaging often includes an additional container or a cotton bag. In addition to the aesthetics of storage, the bag provides airflow and allows the cup to breathe. When storing the cup in a container, make sure that air circulation is ensured.

Psst! You can find the perfect bag to store your menstrual cup in our Your KAYA store.

If you need to temporarily store your cup and don't have a bag or container on hand, you can improvise and wrap it in toilet paper or a tissue.

What should you remember when storing your menstrual cup?

• Before you take a final look at your cup and say goodbye to it for the next few weeks, disinfect it .
• Be sure to let your menstrual cup dry completely before placing it in a bag or container. Moisture encourages bacteria to grow and affects the smell.
• Provide the cup with air access and make sure it is stored at room temperature .
• If you keep the cup in a bag, remember to wash the fabric every once in a while . Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and use mild detergents for washing .

Why does my menstrual cup stink?

The germ-free menstrual fluid in the cup is odorless . You can only detect a slight metallic smell of blood. The bad smell is caused by bacteria that are located on the outer walls of the menstrual cups . Their excessive growth can be influenced by:

• Emptying the cup less often than every 8 to 12 hours.
• Wearing a menstrual cup while bathing or swimming in water and replacing it only after a few hours .
• Cooking in a pot that had food residue in it .
• Inadequate diet and hormonal problems of user_ka.
• A developing, harmless infection - in this case, go to a doctor to see if everything is OK!

How to get rid of the unpleasant smell of a menstrual cup?

• Use a gentle gel or soap to wash .
• Soak the cup in lemon juice for an hour (then boil and wash the cup!).

If you want to learn more about the cup, read the article: " advantages and disadvantages of the menstrual cup " and " most common concerns when using the cup ".

Discolored menstrual cup

Discoloration is a natural effect of contact with blood contained in menstrual fluid. Yellowing, browning or spots do not, however, constitute any obstacle to further use. Only the visual effect suffers, which can be eliminated.

• As with dealing with bad odors, lemon juice or citric acid (which have brightening properties) will help with discoloration on the cup.
• Another candidate is vinegar , which, while disinfecting, will also help remove discoloration.
• Baking soda is also a proven alternative – it works best in conjunction with a delicate toothbrush. Rubbing with moistened baking soda will renew your cup.

Remember to boil your menstrual cup after each of the above treatments to remove any residue from the products used!

There are so many ways to keep menstrual cups clean. I hope you will now look at the cup more favorably and appreciate it as an alternative to pads and tampons.

Also see the article " Menstrual cup – survival replacement ".