No. During your period, rinse it and wash it with warm water and a mild unscented soap or cup wash each time you empty it. Boiling or steam sterilising is for before the first use and at the end of each cycle.
How do you sterilize a menstrual cup safely?
Sterilise a silicone menstrual cup by boiling it in a pot of water for 5 to 10 minutes, with plenty of water so the cup floats freely and never touches the hot base. You can also use a steam sterilizer or a microwave sterilising container. Do it before your first use and at the end of every cycle. Between empties during your period, wash the cup with warm water and a mild unscented soap or cup wash instead.
Quick facts
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When to sterilise: before first use, and after each cycle before storing the cup
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Between empties: wash with warm water and mild unscented soap or a cup wash, no boiling needed
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Boiling time: about 5 to 10 minutes, with the cup fully submerged and not resting on the pot base
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Alternatives: a steam sterilizer or a microwave sterilising container made for cups
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Storage: let it dry fully, then keep it in a breathable pouch, not an airtight plastic container
Three safe methods
|
Method |
How |
Best for |
|---|---|---|
|
Boiling |
Fill a pot with enough water that the cup floats. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Lift it out with clean tongs or a spoon |
Anyone with a pot, no extra cost |
|
Steam sterilizer |
Add water and the cup to the device and run the cycle, following the maker’s guidance |
Convenience and regular use |
|
Microwave sterilising container |
Add water and the cup to a container designed for cups, and microwave as directed |
Quick cleans without a pot |
Always follow the instructions that came with your cup. Silicone cups tolerate boiling, but other materials may not.
The routine, step by step
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Before first use: wash your hands, then sterilise the cup with one of the methods above.
-
During your period: every time you empty the cup, rinse it with cool water, then wash it with warm water and mild unscented soap or a cup wash. Rinse well.
-
After your period: sterilise it, let it cool and dry completely.
-
Storage: put it in the breathable pouch that came with it. A damp or airtight container encourages bacteria.
This is also a good moment to check the cup for cracks, stickiness or a changed smell, which can mean it is time to replace it. PeeSafe states its cup can last up to 5 years with proper care. If you are new to cups, how to use one for the first time covers insertion and removal. Steam sterilisers, sterilising containers and cup wash are in PeeSafe’s menstrual cup sterilizer collection, and the cups themselves are in the menstrual cup collection.
Mistakes to avoid
|
Mistake |
Why it matters |
|---|---|
|
Boiling with too little water |
The pot can boil dry and the cup can melt against the hot base |
|
Leaving the cup resting on the pot base |
Direct contact with the hot metal can scorch silicone |
|
Using bleach, strong cleaners or fragranced soap |
These can irritate skin and degrade the silicone |
|
Skipping the wash between empties |
Sterilising is for the start and end of a cycle, but washing is still needed each time you empty |
|
Storing the cup damp or in a sealed bag |
Moisture trapped with a cup lets bacteria grow |
Related reading from the PeeSafe blog
FAQ's
Do I need to boil my menstrual cup every time I empty it?
Can I use dish soap, bleach or sanitiser to clean my menstrual cup?
It is best not to. Fragranced soaps, strong cleaners and bleach can irritate skin and damage the silicone. Use warm water with a mild unscented soap or a cleaner made for menstrual cups.
What if my cup has stains or a smell?
Light staining is common and does not mean the cup is unclean. A persistent smell or a sticky or cracked surface is a reason to replace it, and a fresh sterilise after a thorough wash often helps with mild odour.