How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup

June 17, 2024

If you’ve landed here, it’s probably because you’ve decided to embrace the eco-friendly and cost-effective benefits of using a menstrual cup – and you want to make sure you’re looking after it (and your vaginal health) properly.

Menstrual cups can sometimes feel a tad intimidating when you’re just starting out, so let’s take a look at what they are, how to use them, and how to clean them. We’ll even throw in some good old myth-busting while we’re at it!

What is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a flexible, reusable cup that’s inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Made from medical-grade silicone, rubber, or latex, menstrual cups can hold more fluid than tampons or pads and can last for years if properly cared for.

As the cup for periods, we’d highly recommend TOTM’s reusable menstrual cup [1]. Made with soft, medical grade TPE (often used in medical equipment), the cup features smooth, curved edges for a comfier insertion. There’s also the highly hyped DivaCup [2], which is designed to fit your body and flow for up to 12 hours of continuous period protection.

DivaCup: How to Use

Inserting a menstrual cup – DivaCup or otherwise – gets a whole lot easier with practice! Here’s how to do it:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Fold the cup into a C-shape to make insertion that bit easier.
3. Choose the most comfortable position for you – whether you sit on the toilet, squat, or prop one leg up.
4. After gently separating your labia, insert the folded menstrual cup into your vagina, pointing towards your tailbone.
5. When the cup is inside, release it and let it pop open, before rotating slightly to make sure it’s both fully open and sealed against your vaginal walls

One of the biggest barriers to using a period cup is vaginal dryness, as this can make insertion uncomfortable, or even painful. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out! By using a good quality, pH-matched lubricant, you can make insertion far more comfortable. Apply a small amount of AH! YES® WB, AH! YES® OB, or AH! YES® COCO to your vaginal opening (or the rim of the cup) and slide away.

How to Clean a Menstrual Cup

If you don’t clean your period cup effectively, you risk bacteria, odors, and stains building up, along with the potential erosion of your cup. And because all these things can lead to irritation or infection, maintaining hygiene is essential. Here’s how:

• Before using your menstrual cup for the first time and between cycles, boil it in water to kill any bacteria. To sterilize your period cup, boil for 5-10 minutes.
• Rinse your cup before each use with water and a mild, fragrance-free soap – like AH! YES® CLEANSE.
• Avoid using harsh soaps, detergents, or vinegar as these can irritate the vagina and degrade the cup material.
• After emptying menstrual blood from your cup, rinse it with water – or, if you don’t have access to water, wipe it with a tissue or Natracare Organic Intimate Wipes. Just make sure you rinse with water at your next opportunity.
• Store your period cup in a breathable cotton bag (not an airtight container) to prevent moisture buildup or mould growth.
• Regularly check your cup for damage, such as cracks, changes in texture, or extreme discolouration.

The Myths About Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are dirty.

Nope! Absolutely not! If you’re cleaning your period cup properly (which we know you will after reading this), cups are just as clean as tampons and pads (if not more so).

Menstrual cups are really tricky to use.

Okay, it can feel a little different to begin with, but once you’ve got the hang of it, inserting and removing your menstrual cup should become a whole lot easier. It just takes a little practice.

Menstrual cups can only be used by certain body types.

Not true! Period cups are totally inclusive – meaning they come in an array of sizes and styles to suit different body types and flow levels. If you choose the right cup for you, you should have great success! And remember, if you’re struggling with insertion, make things smoother with a quality lubricant.

Ready to Get Started?

Hopefully you now have a much better idea of how to use your period cup, and how to care for it. It might take a little practice, but once you get started – and with a carefully formulated vaginal moisturizer or lubricant at your fingertips – you should get the hang of it in not time. 

Explore our complete range of vagina-friendly products.

References:

[1] TOTM | Menstrual Cups | Zero Waste Period Care | TOTM

[2] Find Your Diva Cup Size | Shop the Best Menstrual Cup – DIVA US (shopdiva.com)