Menstrual cups · 5 min read
How to clean your menstrual cup [care guide]
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Because many menstruating people wonder how they should clean their menstrual cup, we've written this guide article. Everything that matters when cleaning your menstrual cup, and what you should look out for – you'll find it all here.
Pay attention to hand hygiene
Since your hands touch all sorts of things and come into contact with countless germs in the process, hand hygiene is especially important. After all, you don't know which of the germs on your hands are harmless and which pose a risk. By the way, this doesn't just apply to menstrual cups but to handling tampons, too. It's the only way to avoid transferring germs that are dangerous for your vagina onto the menstrual cup, or infecting yourself with fungal spores and germs when inserting or removing it.
Care guide: cleaning & caring for your menstrual cup
Cleaning your menstrual cup – before first use
Even when you take your period cup fresh out of its packaging, a basic clean is required before first use. Despite the high hygiene standards in production, new products always carry production residues or other impurities. You should also repeat this process after any longer spell of not using the cup.
How to clean your menstrual cup at the start of your period
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Pre-clean the menstrual cup with mild soap and hot water.
- Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residues.
- Finally, sterilise the period cup in boiling water for five minutes.
If you're not inserting the cup straight away afterwards, let it dry and put it in a breathable storage container.
By the way, all our menstrual cups come with a cotton pouch – the perfect place to keep your thoroughly cleaned period cup. Our Premium and Active menstrual cups also come with a sterilisation container for the microwave.
Cleaning your menstrual cup during your period
During your period, you should clean your menstrual cup thoroughly with water and soap once a day. It only takes a moment, and afterwards you can insert it again with peace of mind.
Depending on how heavy your flow is, you may need to empty the cup two to three times a day. Over time, you'll develop a feeling for how often you need to empty your menstrual cup.
How to clean your menstrual cup during your period
- After emptying, rinse the period cup with cold water.
- Then clean it with warm water and liquid soap.
- Rinse off the soap thoroughly.
For hygiene reasons, we don't recommend cleaning the menstrual cup with water alone. You should also wash the period cup out thoroughly with soap once a day.
Cleaning your menstrual cup after your period
After your period, too, it's important to clean your menstrual cup to remove all germs and deposits. So first rinse the cup out with cold water, then clean it with warm water and soap.
How to clean your menstrual cup after your period
- Clean thoroughly with a fine brush, especially around the rim and in the removal loop.
- An interdental brush is the best way to get into the air holes.
- Stubborn discolouration often comes off with a paste made from bicarbonate of soda or baking powder mixed with water.
- Then boil the cup in water for five minutes to get it hygienically clean. Tip: Vinegar in the boiling water minimises deposits on the material and unpleasant odours.
After boiling, let the menstrual cup dry briefly and then place it in a storage container.
Cleaning your menstrual cup after a vaginal thrush infection
If you're currently suffering from a thrush infection, or had one during your last period, the following points are important.
Don't use a period cup if you …
- … have been advised to avoid tampons in the leaflet of your antifungal medication.
- … are using a silicone-based gel or cream for treatment.
- … are in pain.
In these situations, it's better to reach for cloth pads or period underwear.
If you've worn your menstrual cup with an infection you hadn't yet noticed, an intensive clean is required – so you should boil the cup several times.
Cleaning your menstrual cup after thrush
- Boil 3 x 20 minutes.
- Let the cup dry well after each boil.
- Use fresh water for each boil.
Empfohlene Produkte
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Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning your menstrual cup
Here you'll find the most frequently asked questions – plus answers – on how to clean your menstrual cup.
How can I clean my menstrual cup on the go?
Whether you're out and about, in a public toilet or can't use the washbasin undisturbed: if you're unable to clean your menstrual cup as thoroughly as described above, wipe it out thoroughly with toilet paper or tissues. Important: Don't use wet wipes, as they can have a negative effect on your natural vaginal flora.
How do I sterilise my menstrual cup properly?
Although silicone is very heat-stable, excessively high temperatures can damage the material and make the period cup unusable. This can happen, for example, if the period cup rests on the bottom of the pan – that spot reaches considerably higher temperatures than the boiling water. To stop your menstrual cup sinking to the bottom of the pan while cleaning, a whisk is a good solution. Simply place the cup between the wires and it will stay far enough away from the bottom of the pan while it boils.
With a practical sterilisation container
The "Premium" and "Active" menstrual cups from SELENACARE come with a practical sterilisation cup that also lets you sterilise your menstrual cup in the microwave.
Can I clean my menstrual cup in the microwave?
The only alternative to boiling your cup in a pan is sterilising it in the microwave:
- Place the menstrual cup in a microwave-safe container.
- Cover the period cup completely with water.
- At 500 to 800 watts, set it for at least five minutes.
- From 850 watts, three minutes are enough.
Important: When cleaning your menstrual cup in the microwave, the water must boil. If it doesn't, the period cup won't be sterile! Our SELENACARE "Premium" and "Active" menstrual cups come with a special sterilisation cup for exactly this – so you can clean your cup conveniently in the microwave.
What should I use to clean my menstrual cup?
Hygienically cleaning your menstrual cup is straightforward and takes very little effort. Which cleaning agents you use depends on the situation:
Cleaning before, during & after your period
- Cleaning before your period: wipe with rubbing alcohol
- Cleaning during your period: mild liquid soap
- Cleaning after your period: mild liquid soap, then boil
- Pure vinegar or lemon removes discolouration
- Vinegar in the boiling water prevents deposits and odours
- Bicarbonate of soda or baking powder for stubborn discolouration
Air holes
Interdental brushes are ideal for cleaning the air holes in your period cup. You can also use a toothpick. This reliably removes all residues, which are often the cause of an unpleasant smell.
Soap
The soap you use to clean your menstrual cup should meet the following requirements:
- no fragrances or oils
- a pH value of 3.5 to 5.5, in the mild to acidic range
- don't use shower gels or shampoos
After cleaning, rinse the soap off well with warm water for around 20 seconds.
Can I clean my menstrual cup with home remedies?
Removing discolouration with vinegar or citric acid
Home remedies have already proven their worth in many areas – and that includes discoloured period cups. You can use light-coloured vinegar, vinegar essence or citric acid, for example. Cover the period cup with vinegar or lemon juice and let the home remedy work for about an hour. Finally, rinse the cup carefully.
Removing discolouration with bicarbonate of soda or baking powder
For discolouration on your menstrual cup, bicarbonate of soda or baking powder is a helpful cleaner. Simply add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to boiling water and boil your cup in it. Alternatively, you can mix the bicarbonate of soda or baking powder with a little water to form a paste. Apply this paste to the discolouration. After letting it work for about an hour, the discolouration will be gone. You can also help things along by scrubbing gently with a soft brush.
How do I get my menstrual cup clean if it's discoloured?
Over time, your menstrual cup will take on a brownish tint. This is due to contact with your blood. If the discolouration bothers you, there are several ways to remove it. One of them is a bath in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Alternatively, you can clean the menstrual cup with denture cleaner to free it from unsightly discolouration.
What can I do if my menstrual cup smells?
If your menstrual cup smells unpleasant, this is down to the proteins contained in blood. If even the tiniest pores still hold residues of them, this can lead to an unpleasant smell. So check even the smallest crevices of your cup and clean it thoroughly again with an interdental brush.
Since the protein compounds responsible for the unpleasant smell break down when exposed to oxygen, storing the cup outside its storage container in a dry, shaded place can help. If the smell appears suddenly, seems different or persists, this can point to a vaginal infection. In that case, you should definitely speak to your doctor.
Which menstrual cup to buy
With us you'll find a selection of different menstrual cups that adapt perfectly to you and your daily life. If you're still unsure which cup is right for you, our guide article "Which menstrual cup to buy" has all the information you need. By the way, our menstrual cups are of course free from harmful substances and made from 100% medical-grade silicone. You can read about the benefits this brings in detail in our guide article "Menstrual cups made from medical-grade silicone: the benefits".
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