Menstrual Cup Maintenance: A Guide to Keeping Your Cup Clean
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The menstrual hygiene industry has seen little to no innovations in the last 80 years. That is until the menstrual cup came onto the scene in 2002. Menstrual cups are an environmentally friendly substitute for pads or tampons. They can be reused for up to 10 years, averaging one-tenth the cost of traditional products, storing 3x more blood, and worn for up to 12 hours.
Switching to reusables means you will need to know how to clean your menstrual cup. No need to worry; we’ll walk you through the process step by step. Once you understand the basics, you won’t have to give cleaning your menstrual cup any thought!
Cleaning Your Cup During Your Cycle
During your menstrual cycle, you can simply rinse the cup in hot water every time you remove it before inserting it back into your vagina. Some menstrual cups have suction holes that can easily get clogged. To clean them, fill the cup with water to the brim, put your palm over the top, turn the cup over, and squeeze it. You can use a toothbrush for these holes and any lettering or grips on the cups.
Cleaning in Between Cycle: The Boiling Method
It is important to sanitize your new menstrual cup before you start using it. It should also be boiled once every month, either when you finish your period or when you are about to start, whichever routine works better for you.
Steps in the Boiling Method:
- Wash your hands before removing the cup.
- Take out the cup over the toilet or in the shower. See more tips for removal here.
- Dump the contents into the toilet, sink, or shower.
- Rinse the cup in water.
- Boil the cup for about five to eight minutes (following your cup brand’s guides).
- Carefully remove the cup with tongues.
Prevent Scorching with the Whisk Trick
One common issue when boiling cups is that you could scorch them, leading to their early demise. One way to prevent this is to place the cup inside a whisk before dropping it into hot water.
Stopping the Stains
Menstrual cups can get some stains over time with regular use. This doesn’t mean they are unsanitary, but many cup users prefer their cups to look clean. The Courtesy Cups portable menstrual cup sanitizer is effective for removing cup stains and cleaning your menstrual cup without boiling.
Nothing is more sustainable than what you already own. But some folks are more comfortable with a discrete option, and others lack access to facilities to clean their cup. Because of Courtesy Cups’ unique sanitizing tablet system, the case does not require the additional weight of heavy batteries or extra water. It doesn’t need to be plugged into an outlet – perfect for people in austere environments, but useful for people in any environment.
You clean your dishes instead of using paper plates. Menstrual cups are just another eco-friendly alternative to single-use disposables. And now you have all the tools to be prepared to make the switch!
About Us
Did you know in the US, students miss 300 million days of school annually due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products? Courtesy Cups is on a mission to give back by donating one cup for every cup purchased locally. We not only invented the first portable menstrual cup sanitizer, but we’re committed to Changing the Cycle of period poverty through education and advocacy. Here's how you can get involved.