So, you’ve bought yourself a DIVA™ Cup, you’ve done your homework on a menstrual cup vs. a disc, how long you can wear it, what to do if it leaks and even if you can sleep in it. But what about how to clean a menstrual cup or disc?
Don’t worry — it’s easy. Here are our Do’s and Do Not’s for keeping your DIVA™ Cup or DIVA™ Disc clean, safe to use and lasting for a long time, below.
The Do’s
Discoloration can happen. But a stained menstrual cup or disc is still perfectly usable. Before you replace your cup or disc, try some of our tried and trusted methods of thoroughly washing your cup.
First thing’s first: always boil your cup or disc before your first time using it.
Not many users know this, but you only need to boil your menstrual cup or disc once you remove the cup or disc from the box and before its first use. After the first time you insert the cup or disc, you can clean it using a variety of other methods that don’t require boiling water.
So, if you’re camping, traveling, or going on a road trip, you don’t have to worry.
Since DIVA™ Cups and DIVA™ Discs are reusable period products and can be worn for up to 12 hours for continuous protection, you may over time experience stains.
To battle pesky stains, we recommend the following:
- First, remove the cup or disc and empty your flow into the toilet or sink.
- You can rinse your cup or disc at home in the sink using hot water and fragrance-free soap (it’s also okay to use cold water).
- If you’re not going to insert your menstrual cup or disc again, you can dry it with a micro-fibred towel or leave it on a safe and clean surface to air dry.
- If you are inserting your cup or disc again, it’s fine for it to have a bit of water left on it.
If you’re not at home, and want to empty, clean and re-insert your cup or disc in a public washroom and you don’t have easy access to a sink or running water, you can:
- Empty your flow in the toilet.
- Wipe down with toilet paper (just make sure no remnants are left on the cup or disc).
- If you have bottled water, you can pour some onto your cup or disc over the toilet to rinse.
Regardless of whether you have a heavy flow or a light flow, you should clean your cupor disc regularly to avoid infection.
If you’re not re-inserting right away, store your cup or disc safely in a bag after cleansing. We always recommend a light, breathable cotton bag, such as the organic cotton pouch included in the DIVA™ Cup or the DIVA™ Disc packaging.
The Do Not’s
Cup or disc cleansing sounds easy, right? But what should you avoid when cleansing your menstrual cup or disc?
Be sure to avoid the following when cleansing your cup or disc:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Anti-bacterial soap
- Oil-based soap
- Glycerin
- Baking Soda
- Bleach
- Castille soap
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar
- Any scented soaps
The vagina is a beautiful self-cleaning mechanism. Harsh chemicals can throw off your vaginal pH, or worse, cause a painful infection.
Lastly, and very importantly, it may be a cup or disc but it’s not that kind of cup or disc. Your menstrual cup or disc does not belong in the dishwasher — it is not dishwasher safe!
Caring for Your Menstrual Cup
How to Store Your Cup
If you’re not re-inserting right after cleansing your cup or disc, it’s best to safely store it away.
We always recommend a light, breathable cotton bag, such as the bag included in the DIVA™ Cup or DIVA™ Disc packaging.
When to Replace Your Cup
Eventually, your menstrual cup or disc—whether a DIVA™ Cup or DIVA™ Disc or another brand—is going to need replacing.
Over time, the DIVA™ Cup or DIVA™ Disc will stain and perhaps begin to deteriorate. Some companies suggest that you only need to replace your cup or disc every ten years, but this is inaccurate.
If the cup or disc is consistently used for your period over the course of many years, you notice any cracks, residues, or severe staining and odors, it’s time to replace your cup or disc.
We recommend replacing your cup or disc every 5 years (it’s a nice treat), or at least after several years of use.
