Need a No-Boil Menstrual Cup Sanitizing Method? No Problem!

Menstruation | | Lane Baumeister
4 min read

One of the best things about menstrual cups is that with the right care, they can last you years! And the care that makes sure your cup keeps in tip-top condition is the same care that ensures it is healthy and safe for you to use.

The best way to care for your cup is to use the boiled water method to sanitize your menstrual cup between cycles (We love the hack of placing your cup in the middle of a whisk while boiling to keep it from touching the bottom of a pot!) or use Intimate Accessory Cleaner.

But what if you can’t easily access boiling hot water? Maybe you don’t feel comfortable watching water boil while your cup bobs around in the middle of your kitchen. (Roommates—even if/especially when they’re family—can be awkward like that).

Don’t worry! There are alternative ways to ensure that your cup is as clean as possible. 

Sanitize vs Clean: What’s the Difference?

First, let’s get some definitions out of the way. When people talk about boiling their menstrual cup, this is a method of sanitizing; ‘sanitizing’ means removing any microorganisms (like bacteria) down to a safe level. (‘Sterilizing’ means removing all, which is difficult to do in a home environment.)

Cleaning, on the other hand, means removing surface bacteria, odor, and buildup.

We make menstrual cups out of medical-grade silicone for a few reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is that as a non-porous material, it resists bacteria growth. However, many people feel better about sanitizing their cups between cycles by boiling water, and we recommend it because it helps ensure your cup lasts as long as possible. 

How to Sanitize Your Menstrual Cup (without Boiling)

Aside from the boiled water method, you can also sanitize your menstrual cup by using:

  • An autoclave. If you happen to have one kicking around (we don’t recommend using the autoclave at your place of work) then it is a great way to sanitize your cup. It should be set to 121°C for 60 minutes, using a dry cycle run, and otherwise used as per the manufacturer’s instructions. 
  • A breast pump steam bag. These handy tools are for sanitizing parts of breast pump equipment in your microwave. They’re easy to use and claim to kill 99.9 % of common bacteria and germs. Check for any that 
  • A menstrual cup steam sanitizer.  There are several steam cleaners on the market specifically for menstrual cups. Be warned, not all machines are made to the same standard, so be sure to do your research. We can’t check the quality of all such devices so we can’t ensure that they are as thorough as they say that they are, or that they will not damage your cup.

How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup 

Cleaning your cup during your cycle is as easy as a thorough rinse and some alcohol-free antibacterial soap! Some people like to clean their cup in the shower as it’s discreet and easy to do after emptying their cup. On the other end of the convenience spectrum is the oft-dreaded ‘public washroom clean.’

We’ve got your guide for cleaning your cup in a public washroom here!

How to Remove Stains From Your Menstrual Cup 

Even with proper sanitizing and cleaning, your cup will undergo some colour changes from use. As well, you may run into staining or odor issues. Here are ways to remove stains or smells from your menstrual cup:

  • Hydrogen peroxide (1%): You can find this in most drug stores or pharmacies. Use one part 1% hydrogen peroxide and one part water. Submerge your cup and let it soak for 24 hours. Give it a good, thorough wash to remove all of the hydrogen peroxide residues before using it or storing it.
  • Apple cider vinegar (diluted in water): This might be as effective as hydrogen peroxide, but chances are you have some around the house! Use 2 Tbsp (30 ml) to 1 cup (250 ml)  water. Submerge and soak your cup for 24 hours. If it still smells a bit like vinegar after washing the cup, follow up with a boiling session.

When to Throw Out Your Cup

Cups aren’t indestructible. Your Intimina menstrual cup is reusable for up to 10 years (or 2 years for the Ziggy Cup) but you may need to replace it earlier than that. 

You should replace your menstrual cup if:

  • There is any visible, physical damage such as cracking or splitting. 
  • The cup becomes sticky to the touch even after cleaning or has a chalky residue. 
  • Any smells linger, even after you try the above tips. 
  • A strange color develops (fading is normal, green is not, for example)

If you’re ever in doubt, just reach out to our team via our Facebook or Instagram page, or leave a comment on this article. We’re always happy to help!

23 thoughts on “Need a No-Boil Menstrual Cup Sanitizing Method? No Problem!

  • Michelle dwyer says:

    Thanks for the advice because i dont wash it with soaps. But im boiling it with vinegar and calamansi after my cycle.

    • INTIMINA says:

      Glad to help! Just always remember to rinse extremely well after using anything (even ordinary vinegar) to clean your cup.

  • Lisa says:

    Is it safe to use microwaveable menstrual cup steriliser for my Lilly cup?

    • INTIMINA says:

      Hi Lisa! Generally speaking, microwaveable sanitizing bags (such as those meant for sanitizing baby bottle parts) should be fine. However, we cannot guarantee that the use of all microwave sanitizing products simply because we can’t try them all, so there will always be some risk. (We recommend the ones meant for baby products partially because there are so many more reviews you can check out for those types of products).

  • Ema says:

    I purchased a cup more than a year ago but I couldn’t get used to it, so I gave up after a couple of tries.
    I want to give it a second chance, but I’m not sure if I have boiled it before storage. I definitely cleaned it with soap and warm water.
    Is it safe to use after such a long time if I boil it before starting to use it again?

    • INTIMINA says:

      Hi Ema! Absolutely should be fine. The only thing to watch out for is if the cup’s surface has a ‘tacky/sticky’ feeling to it. But properly stored, it should not have had this issue.

  • Ellie says:

    In the pdf manual for the Lily cups, it says not to use vinegar on them as it can degrade the silicone, but in this post it says it’s okay. Is it safe for the silicone or not? I have been using a microwave menstrual cup steamer steriliser instead

    • INTIMINA says:

      Hi Ellie! Thank you for your question – it made us realise we hadn’t written this article as accurately as we should have. Your cups should be cleaned with apple cider vinegar diluted per the above (updated) ratios. Thank you again your feedback!

  • Sam says:

    Can you use the ziggy cup longer than two years if those signs of wear don’t occur?

    Also can it be cleaned with rubbing alcohol?

    • Intimina says:

      Hello and thank you for contacting us,

      Cleaning and storing your Ziggy Cup properly will ensure that it lasts for a number of years. While the silicone is very durable, we recommend that you replace your Ziggy Cup if you notice any cuts, punctures, or the forming of an oily or sticky film. Ziggy Cup can be used for up to 2 years. Also, please note that we strongly recommend washing our cups only with warm water and mild soap. For a more thorough cleaning in between periods, we recommend boiling the cup submerged in a pot of water for 5 minutes. For any additional questions, please contact our Customer Support.

      Kind regards,

  • First time user says:

    Hi Ive only had my lily cup one for a few months and I just took it out and it suddenly feels chalky. There isnt a residue like the article says it is just what it feels texture wise but im worried now.

  • Faria Afreen says:

    Hello,
    I live in a shared home. Can I boil my menstrual cup in a bowl covered with a saucer in microwave?

    • Intimina says:

      Hi Faria,

      we do not recommend boiling menstrual cups in a microwave unless you’re using a steam bag (such as breast pump steam bags). If boiling the cup the usual way isn’t an option (although, we do recommend doing that at least before the first use), we suggest cleaning the cup using one of the alternative methods that include using hydrogen peroxide or apple cider vinegar as described in our article: https://www.intimina.com/blog/menstrual-cup-sanitizing-method/, or an antibacterial soap that does not contain any alcohol.

      Hope this will help.

      Have a great day!

  • sheema says:

    I’ve not yet started using the menstrual cup but I’ve a few questions about it.

    How often do I have to clean the cup with boiling water? I have a menstrual cup wash which I will be using during my period but should I boil it again and then store it? And then should I have to boil it again before using it?

    I have also heard that boiling it too much can loosen the silicone or something like it’s not good to boil it too much. But also boiling is good to keep it away from bacteria.

    How much boiling is too much?

    Can I just boil it before my period and then used the cup wash during my period and just store it in a breathable pouch and the the next time I use it then I should boil it?

    • Intimina says:

      Hello, Thank you for reaching out 🙂

      We recommend boiling the cup for 5 minutes at the beginning of each cycle, in the meantime, you can wash it under warm water and with a mild soap that doesn’t contain any aggressive ingredients such as alcohol, perfume etc. You can use a specialized spray as well if you would prefer that more, just follow the instructions attached to it. Store your cup in a dry, safe place away from the sun to keep it in perfect condition. Feel free to check our post: https://www.intimina.com/blog/cup-cleaning-care/

      Best regards,

  • Arp says:

    I don’t get how I can go for boiling the menstrual cup when period has already started? When using pads or tampons one can immediately rush to use the product. What about menstrual cups in this case? Should I rush to boil it first? How should I manage this? Kindly suggest. Should the cup be boiled immediately before using it in every cycle?

    • vesna says:

      Hello,
      Thank you for your inquiry!
      When it comes to boiling your cup, you should boil it in-between your periods, meaning at the start of your period and at the end, when you are done using the cup. We recommend you boil the cup completely submerged underwater, for 5-8 minutes. During your period, when you are emptying your cup, you can wash it with mild soap and hot water, before inserting it again.

      Kind regards,

  • Larissa says:

    Could I use Milton sterilising tablets as an alternative method to sanatize the cup instead of boiling?

  • Melani says:

    Hi im unable to boil my cup at the moment (holiday house sharing etc) will it be ok to submerge my cup in a container filled with boiling water until it cools? Will this be sufficient for the time being?

    • Intimina says:

      Hi Melani,

      we do not suggest anything else, but if you put it in boiling water immediately, maybe it can work. But this is not our recommendation.

      Best regards

  • Ashia Aftab says:

    Hii.. Your information is useful.. But actually I use some different method.. As I don’t have any type of sanitizer to clean or any other thing so i just first boil the water.. And then pour in a jug.. And put my cup in there.. Cause I am uncomfortable to use put it in any utensils.. Is it ok???

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *