As convenient as it is to get 12-hours of leak-free protection, what do you do when you don’t have access to a bathroom or even clean, running water?
This is arguably more likely to happen during the summer months when camping, road trips, and music festivals are common scenarios you may find yourself in. As the summer is now upon us, we decided to reflect on all of the scenarios in which a little innovation can go a long way for cleaning our cups when we don’t have access to running water and/or a bathroom.
So, the next time you plan to put on your adventure hat and Bear Grylls it up in the wild, or take a trip to the Amazon for 6 weeks, and your period decides, “yeah, I feel like dropping in right at this very moment,” remember these Diva survival tips!
Tip #1: Always pack potable (i.e. safe to drink) water with you.
This is key because The DivaCup needs to be cleaned with clean and safe to drink water. So if you’re camping in the outback, heading to a music festival, or backpacking through rural Cambodia, make sure you pack a (reusable) water bottle to have with you. If you are in a pickle and can’t access running water, use the water from your water bottle to rinse off The DivaCup when you remove it. If you have DivaWash or a mild, oil-free and fragrance-free soap with you, use it to clean the cup. If you don’t, you can just rinse with water and clean the cup with soap as soon as you have access to running water and/or a bathroom. Remember you should do a full cleaning with soap and water at minimum 2-3 times per day.
Tip #2: Wash your hands!
Whether you’re camping or at a music festival, the first thing you’ll want to do is to wash your hands with clean, soapy water before you start handling your nether regions with your hands. If you’re at a music festival and your only access to anything that resembles a bathroom is a porta-potty, then make sure you wash your hands before you head inside to clean your cup. If you’re heading into a porta-potty, remember to bring your water bottle with you from tip 1 to give your cup a rinse.
Tip #3: If you’re camping, dispose of your flow in a cathole.
A cathole is when you dig a hole in the ground to dispose of organic waste and then bury the waste. If you’re an avid outback camper, then this should be a no brainer. Dispose of the contents of The DivaCup just as you would if you went number 2. And yes, I’m talking about poop. Same rules as making a cat hole for your bowel movements apply here too. Check out this blog for really great step-by-step instructions on how and where to dig a cat hole.
Tip #4: Be prepared before you start your day.
If you’re going to be at a music festival all day, or hiking for hours, be sure to prepare prior to heading out. In other words, before you head out for the day, make sure that you wash your cup at your hostel, hotel, campground, etc. This will ensure that your cup is empty and ready to go for a full day’s worth of activities and flow.
Tip #5: Don’t forget about soap!
So this one is a bit tricky because it will depend on your situation and how long (how many hours/days) you will go without being able to access clean, running water. In other words, if you are at a music festival, chances are you will eventually head back to a hostel, hotel, campground, somewhere with access to a bathroom, at the end of each day. You can just rinse your cup at the festival with the clean, safe to drink water you packed (recall tip #1) and no soap. Then, when you return to your hostel, hotel, camp site, clean your cup with clean water and DivaWash or a mild, oil-free and fragrance-free soap.
If you are camping or backpacking, you may be stuck without potable, running water for days and so you won’t be able to wait to clean The DivaCup with soap. In these cases, make sure that when packing your water bottle that you will use to clean The DivaCup, that you also pack some soap. DivaWash is great for travelling because it can double as a body wash, face wash, and shaving gel, as well as a wash for your cup. But any oil-free and fragrance-free soap will do. Use this every time you empty the contents of your cup (2-3 per day depending on your flow) and rinse with safe-to-drink water from your water bottle.
Tip #6: Don’t forget to pack your Diva cotton draw-string pouch!
The cotton draw-string pouch that comes with The DivaCup is not only an adorable way to store your cup, it is also important for both maintaining the longevity of the cup and keeping it clean! Cotton is a breathable material, which creates the ideal environment for your cup to be kept in. The pouch is not easily substituted because not every material is breathable and this is important. So keep your pouch with you during your travels to keep your cup and your vagina happy!
So there it is Divas, with a little bit of prep work and some creativity, you’ll be travelling with your cup without a worry this summer! What are your best tips for travelling with The DivaCup?
