Mostly made of medical-grade silicone, menstrual cups are a more hygienic and healthier alternative to tampons. To keep the cups hygienic, proper cleaning and care are important. Read here how to clean your menstrual cup, how often you should clean it, how to sterilize it, and how to remove even the most stubborn discolorations and stains!

How to clean a Menstrual Cup:

• If you´re still on your period and want to empty your cup and use it again, you can empty it in the toilet and wash it with water and mild soap.
• If your period is over and you want to store your menstrual cup for the next month, boil it for about 5 minutes. With a sterilizer, you can boil your cup in the microwave. This way, the cup will be disinfected.

How to clean your Menstrual Cup in a Public Bathroom?

If you need to empty your menstrual cup but don’t have access to a sink, such as in a public restroom, you can empty your cup into the toilet and clean it with toilet paper. 

Or you can carry a pack of menstrual cup cleaning wipes or a cleaning spray in your handbag to clean the cup with before you put it in again.

It is important that you wash your menstrual cup as soon as you have access to a sink.

How to remove discolorations and stains from a Menstrual Cup

Your menstrual cup may have stains you cannot remove by scrubbing or boiling. However, there are several ways to remove stubborn stains from your menstrual cup completely:

Hydrogen peroxide solution with 3%

To remove stains or discoloration from your menstrual cup, place it in a teacup or sterilizer cup and cover it entirely with an undiluted hydrogen peroxide solution of 3%. The stains should be completely gone after about 24 hours in the solution.

Baking soda or baking powder

Another way to remove stains from your menstrual cup is to mix a paste of either baking soda or baking powder with water and apply it to the stains. After about an hour, you can remove the paste with a brush.

Or add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to boiling water and let the menstrual cup boil in it for 5 to 10 minutes.

Boil or sterilize your Menstrual Cup

If you want to sterilize your cup between cycles, boil it in hot water or put it in the microwave with a sterilizer.

Boil Menstrual Cup

Put the cup in a pot with water and leave it in the boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. You must put enough water in the pot. If your menstrual cup comes into contact with the pot, it may melt.

Sterilize Menstrual Cup in the Microwave

Meanwhile, there are special sterilizer cups for the microwave, with which you can boil and sterilize your cup comfortably in the microwave.

How often should I clean my Menstrual Cup?

• You should clean your cup after each emptying and reinsertion during your period
• You should boil it after each cycle
• You can clean it with hydrogen peroxide every time you discover discoloration

With proper care, your menstrual cup can last for years. Different folding techniques make it easier to insert it. Check out other blog posts if you’re looking for other topics related to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle!