You need to clean a menstrual cup regularly to keep it hygienic. Read here how to properly clean your cup during and after your period.
Many women prefer to use menstrual cups during their period rather than tampons, sanitary napkins or panty liners. The cups have several advantages over conventional hygiene products: You save a large amount of garbage and money over the years, have to empty them less frequently and at the same time do something good for your health. Menstrual cups are usually made of medical silicone or natural rubber – tampons and sanitary napkins, however, are often contaminated.
You can find out more about menstrual cups here: Menstrual cup: the garbage-free alternative to tampons and sanitary napkins.
If you use a menstrual cup, you need to clean it regularly. Hygiene is very important with such a cup, which you can use for many years. The following sections will show you how best to clean your menstrual cup.
Clean menstrual cup: During the period
A tip in advance: If you have bought a new menstrual cup, it is advisable to disinfect it before you insert it for the first time. Simply boil them in hot water for a few minutes.
Clean your menstrual cup daily during your period and clean it thoroughly afterwards. The daily cleaning is not at all complex and quick. Most menstrual cup manufacturers recommend that you briefly rinse the cup with cold water each time you change it. The AOK believes that you also like the cup disinfect in boiling water every two days should.
Alternatively, if you’re in a public toilet where you don’t have a sink nearby, you can wipe the menstrual cup with a handkerchief or some toilet paper. At the next opportunity, you should then thoroughly clean them again.
By the way: Some manufacturers offer special cleaning wipes in addition to the menstrual cup. You can use these if you like – but this is not absolutely necessary. In addition, the wipes cause avoidable waste.
Important: Before you insert or remove your cup, you should always wash your hands thoroughly!
After the period: always boil the menstrual cup
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When your period is over, you should always have your menstrual cup boil, so that germs and bacteria are killed. You do not need any special cleaning agents for this: A ten-minute bath in a saucepan with boiling water is completely sufficient. Make sure that the cup does not touch the bottom of the pot, otherwise it may burn.
Tip: Especially the white and transparent menstrual cups can change color over time. This is not bad from a hygienic point of view, but if it bothers you, you can do something about it. Simply put them in a little vinegar or lemon and let the acid work for a short time. It is important that you rinse the cup well afterwards so that no residues remain on it.
Store the cleaned menstrual cup in the included fabric bag until your next period.
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