How to clean menstrual cups or discs the right way

Why it’s so important to clean & disinfect your reusable menstrual cup or menstrual disc

Keeping your menstrual cup or reusable menstrual disc clean is essential to both your vaginal health and the longevity of your products. No matter which brand you choose, the basic guidelines are pretty much the same: You should clean your reusable cup or disc at least every 12 hours during your period(whenever you empty and reinsert it), and you should sanitize it at the end of each period(at least once per month). 

Why? It’s for pretty much the same reasons we wash our underwear, sex toys, or anything else that goes in or around the vulva and/or is for vaginal use. With improper cleaning practices, a number of microorganisms (i.e. bacteria such as Escherichia Coli, Streptococcus, etc) may cause local infections (i.e. bacterial vaginosis) or travel up the vagina and enter the cervix or uterine cavity.¹ 

Untreated bacterial infections can have serious long-term complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – an infection that impacts the uterus and fallopian tubes and can lead to hospitalization for antibiotic therapy and, even, infertility.² If you manage to avoid infection, leftover bacteria and other harmful microbes on your menstrual cup or disc has another side effect: odor and, often, excessive vaginal discharge. Not the pleasant kind, either, especially if they’ve been there for long periods of time.    

In addition, remember that menstrual cups are not risk-free when it comesto Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS is a rare but severe disease that occurs when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonize the vaginal canal and release dangerous toxins. It’s most commonly associated with tampon use, but a handful of cases have been reported in menstrual cup users.^{3 4} Readd our TSS blog post to learn more.

To minimize your risk for TSS, don’t leave your period cup or period disc in for longer than recommended by the manufacturer, empty it when it gets full (this will depend on the intensity of your period flow), wash your hands before insertion and removal, and thoroughly clean and/or sanitize your cup in between uses.³ If you use Flex Cup™ or Flex Reusable Disc make sure to remove, empty, and clean it at least every 12 hours.  

Some users may prefer to keep two reusable cups or discs on hand, cleaning and boiling each one after removal and alternating between the two so that they always have a dedicated menstrual cup or disc that is sanitized and at the ready. Choosing to do so, of course, comes down to your own personal preference.

Boiling menstrual cups or discs: is it safe?

When it comes to cleaning methods, boiling your menstrual cup or menstrual disc in water is a scientifically sound method and generally the safest and most recommended approach. While hydrogen peroxide or other chemical disinfectants might seem effective, their use (whether a one-time wash or overnight soaking) is not always considered safe. These chemicals can break down the medical-grade cup or disc silicone, cause irritation, or leave harmful residues. To reduce the risk of damage to the disc or cup material, always follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, this will greatly help ensure both safety and longevity of your products.

In order to help your reusable cup or disc live its best life for as many use cycles as possible, here are our cleaning and sanitization pro tips from the Flexperts:

How to clean your menstrual cup or menstrual disc during your period

One of the great benefits of using a reusable period cup or period disc is their longevity. They are reusable, unlike other traditional disposable sanitary products, and therefore better for the planet, your wallet, and your conscience, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing your environmental impact.

But there’s a catch: Without an effective method to clean and properly maintain your cup, its materials will break down more quickly compromising the integrity of your reusable menstrual disc or cup, it’ll start to smell, it’ll be more likely to leak, and you’ll probably end up tossing it in the trash and buying a new one. It kind of defeats the purpose, right?!  

We’re here to put an end to that cycle and ensure your favorite period product thrives for the duration of its lifespan. So, for starters, here’s how to clean and care for your reusable cup or disc during your period, in between changes:

Note: Keep in mind that disposable menstrual discs are any other disposable product are not meant to be boiled or sanitized, as they are a single-use product! The instructions below apply to most silicone menstrual cup and reusable discs brands. However, always refer to the cup manufacturer’s instructions for more accurate information.

At home with a menstrual wash or cleanser

Flex Foaming Cleanser was specially designed to keep your menstrual cup or disc clean without harming its medical-grade silicone. This means your cup will last a long time and you can rest assured that no bacteria or buildup will interfere with your vaginal microbiome. Cheers to healthy, happy vaginas!

1. Wash your hands first, then carefully remove your menstrual cup or menstrual disc and dump its contents in the toilet.
2. Rinse your cup with cold water (if using Flex Cup, unthread the pull-tab first).
3. Wash your cup in warm water with a few generous pumps of Flex Foaming Cleanser.
4. Thoroughly clean the cup or disc, especially the air holes at the top or any other small crevice
5. Rinse well with warm water.
6. If using Flex Cup, rethread the pull tab by guiding the looped end through the hole in the bottom of the cup. Grip the ring from below the cup and pull until the entire ring has come through. You can then adjust the length of the pull tab as needed. Pro-tip: Re-threading is easier while the cup is still wet.
7. Reinsert! Or, if you’re putting your period cup or period disc away for a little while, make sure it’s dry before storing.

On the go with Flex Wipes

If you’re traveling, at work all day, or in a situation that demands you empty and reinsert your cup in a public bathroom, fear not! Flex Wipes are the perfect travel companion whether or not you’re on your period. Use them to discreetly clean your reusable disc or cup in the toilet stall (no awkward trips to the communal sinks) and on your labia, fingers, or any other body parts that could use freshening up.

P.S. Missed our last blog post? Learn more about the many uses for Flex Wipes here. 

If you don’t have access to a sink: 

1. Clean your hands with a wipe, then carefully remove your menstrual cup or menstrual disc and dump its contents in the toilet.
2. Grab a Flex Wipe and carefully wipe down all surfaces.
3. Dispose of the wipe and, if needed, grab a fresh one to thoroughly clean any remaining fluid or menstrual blood from your cup or disc.
4. Allow your cup or disc to air dry before reinserting.
5. Use an additional Flex Wipe, if needed, to freshen up your vulva, fingers, or anywhere else!

If you do have access to a sink: 

1. Wash your hands and remove your reusable menstrual cup or menstrual disc and dump its contents in the toilet.
2. Rinse your silicone cup or disc with cold water first (if using Flex Cup, unthread the pull-tab before rinsing).
3. Grab a Flex Wipe and carefully wipe down all surfaces of the cup or disc.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Reinsert!

At home with whatever you have on hand

If you need to clean your cup ASAP and haven’t yet purchased a specially-designed cleaning product, whether it is a menstrual wash or cleanser, no worries: You might already have the right supplies on hand.

Step-by-step process:

1. Wash your hands, remove your period cup or period disc and dump its contents in the toilet.
2. Rinse your cup or disc with cold water first (if using Flex Cup, unthread the pull-tab before rinsing).
3. Then, wash your menstrual cup or disc with warm water and a mild cleanser. Avoid using synthetic fragranced dish soaps or hand soaps – these can degrade the material and alter the non porous nature of silicone over time.
   • P.S. If using Flex Cup, rethread the pull-tab by guiding the looped end through the hole in the bottom of the cup. Grip the ring from below the cup and pull until the entire ring has come through. You can then adjust the length of the pull tab as needed. Re-threading is easier while the cup is still wet.
4. Make sure it is 100% dry, then either reinsert or store your menstrual cup or disc in its pouch until you need it again.

How to sanitize your cup or disc

After your period is over and you’re done using your menstrual cup for the month, boiling your reusable period cup or period disc in water for 10 to 20 minutes is recommended to sanitize it (using regular tap water is totally fine). You can boil water on the stove or in the microwave, as long as it can reach the boiling point of water (100° degrees C or 212° degrees F). We recommend the stovetop, since you’ll be able to keep the water at a high temperature for the duration of the sanitization process.  

To keep your period health on point and to make sure your cup or disc is completely free of harmful strains of bacteria and lasts as long as possible, the best approach is to sanitize them at least once a month.

Using the stovetop:

1. Fill a small pot with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. 
2. Place your (cleaned) period cup or period disc in the pot of boiling water and, if needed, reduce the temperature slightly to keep the water at a safe level (don’t boil over). 
3. Set a timer for 10-20 minutes. During the boiling process, stir frequently to keep your cup/disc from touching the bottom/sides of the pot, and keep an eye on the pot to ensure it continues to boil. 
4. After the timer goes off, use tongs to carefully remove the cup or disc from the pot of water and place it on a paper towel to cool off. Wait until your cup or disc is completely cool and dry before putting it back in its pouch to store until next time.

Using the microwave:

1. Fill a microwave-safe container (ideally a glass dish, like a Pyrex dish, or a large mug) about three-quarters full with water. 
2. Place the dish or mug in the microwave for about 3 minutes, or however long it takes for the water to reach a rolling boil. 
3. Use a towel or oven mitts to carefully remove the dish from the microwave, and then immediately place your (cleaned) menstrual cup or disc in the still-boiling microwave water. 
4. Let your menstrual cup sit in the water for 10 minutes, then strain or remove with a pair of metal tongs. 
5. If desired, repeat steps 1 through 4 with a fresh batch of water. 
6. Wait until your cup or disc is completely cool and dry before putting it back in its pouch to store until next time. 

Note: Do not boil your cup or disc or place it by itself into the microwave! Doing so could damage the cup’s materials. Only use the microwave to boil the water. 

How to store a menstrual cup?

To store a menstrual cup or disc, ensure it’s clean and completely dry before placement. Use the original pouch or a breathable cotton bag to protect it from dust and bacteria. Avoid airtight containers, as they can promote moisture buildup. Proper storage ensures longevity and hygiene for your menstrual products.

Key takeaways

Cleaning your period cup or period disc is important – it’s not as simple as rinsing it under cold water (although, since cups come in a variety of colors, that’s a good first step to prevent stains), then warm water. To completely remove buildup and bacteria, reusable menstrual cups or reusable menstrual discs should be sanitized at the end of a person’s period (about once a month). It is also a good practice to sanitize your reusable discs or cups before their first use.

For the purposes of sanitizing, boiling menstrual cups or discs in water for 10 to 20 minutes is a recommended and affordable method. Do not let the cup or disc touch the bottom or side surface of your pot while boiling.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the natural sanitizing power of steam, and get a compact sanitizer especially designated for your menstrual products. Due to the properties of steam (a combination of pressure and high temperature), water molecules can reach into small crevices, ensuring a thorough cleaning that water alone might miss. Additionally, consider using a gentle, fragrance-free soap to wash your cup or disc before boiling it. This step helps remove any remaining residue and gives you peace of mind about hygiene.

After sanitization, feel free to inspect your menstrual cup for any signs of wear and tear; if any issues are present due to frequent boiling/sanitizing, it may be time to replace it.

During your period, in between uses, rinse your cup or disc with cold water first, then thoroughly clean it with warm water and gentle cleanser.

Want to make cleaning (and staying fresh during your period) even easier? Check out Flex Foaming Cleanser and Flex Wipes, two products to make clean-up easier. We hope you love them as much as we do. 

Have questions about using Flex Cup or Flex Discs™? Chat with one of our friendly Flexperts! Email us at help@flexfits.com.

This article is informational only and is not offered as medical advice, nor does it substitute for a consultation with your physician. If you have any gynecological/medical concerns or conditions, please consult your physician.

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