Cleaning and Disinfecting
Disinfect your menstrual cup only AFTER you cleaned it. Heat treating a soiled Cup may set stains that will be difficult or impossible to remove.
Cleaning your MeLuna
1. Wet the cup under running cold or luke warm water for 5 seconds.
2. Use a minimum of 1/4 tsp of Cetaphil to rub the cup for a minimum of 30 seconds. Use the MeLuna brush to clean the two air holes (run the brush through each air hole at least once).
3. Rinse the cup under running cold or luke warm tap water for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Dry the cup completely before storage. For a perfect place to air dry the cups, check out our selection of cup trays and stands in our store.
The MeLuna menstrual cup should never be stored in an airtight container. This could promote odors. We recommend that you store your MeLuna menstrual cup in its bag (each MeLuna menstrual cup comes with its own storage bag).
Disinfecting your MeLuna
Your MeLuna should be disinfected before your first time using it and after every period. You may disinfect it by floating it completely submerged for 3-5 minutes in boiling water (100° Celsius/ 212° Fahrenheit). Take care when removing the cup as the water will be very hot.
Always wash your hands before handling and inserting the MeLuna. With adequate cleaning and disinfection procedures it is actually much more likely that bacteria and contaminants are introduced via your hands than the cup.
The above cleaning recommendations have been verified to be effective methods of cleaning and disinfection of your MeLuna cup in an independent lab study.
Below are some methods that have worked well for users in other countries. Please note that the below methods have not been subject to a cleaning/disinfection validation.
Different disinfection methods
Disinfection by boiling water
In the microwave: Of course, the cup also be disinfected with the microwave. As always they must also be heated in sufficient water, otherwise the disinfection effect not occur. The TPE plastic used for the MeLuna is nonpolar and does not heat up in the microwave. Disinfection is carried out by the heated water. Be careful not to burn yourself when you remove it. The water will be very hot.
BE CAREFUL: In order for your cup to not melt, do not leave it lying on the bottom of the pot without water! Do not leave the pot unattended. For safety, the use of a timer may be helpful. Cooking times of 3 minutes are sufficient.
TIP: It works great if you put the cup inside of a whisk. The whisk (or strainer) keeps the cup safe from melting and you can retrieve it without burning your fingers. Do not use any implements to stir the cup while it is hot and soft though.
Disinfection via Milton tabs:
Tabs like those made by Milton for baby and breastfeeding items have been shown to be effective in disinfecting menstrual cups.
IMPORTANT: you will need one Milton mini tab per 100ml of water. The Disinfection cup is perfect for this and holds exactly the right amount of water. The foldable microwave disinfection cup would hold a lot more water and would require more tabs
Additional Tips and Ideas on Cleaning and Maintaining your MeLuna Menstrual Cup
What can damage the MeLuna?Wrong detergent: Use only mild soap or detergent - no harsh abrasives.
Incorrect storage: One thing that can harm the material of the MeLuna and result in a cup becoming prematurely porous are UV rays. Under normal storage there is nothing to worry about. Your MeLuna should not be left out in the sun. Also high temperatures above 140 ° C should be avoided.
Recommendations for cleaning on the go
Wipe out your cup with some paper or a skin-compatible cleaning cloth and re-insert it. Also cleaning with clear, cold water is possible.
Bringing along cleaning wipes or a bottle of water can be very helpful in public toilets, since you do not have a sink within reach.
We also offer a cleaning spray made by Lelo in our online store.
We do NOT recommend the use of alcohol wipes. Recent studies have shown that alcohol increases biofilm formation of Staph bacteria, the bacteria associated with TSS.
Water additives:
Hot salt water:
You can also add a little salt. This helps to prevent discoloration and increases the cleaning effect.
Vinegar water:
Adding a little bit of vinegar in the boiling water prevents lime scale and has a natural disinfectant and deodorizing effect. Vinegar water can be used hot or cold at not more than a 3% concentration.
More cleaning instructions
Odor or discoloration of your MeLuna
Slight discoloration may develop over a long period of use and may occur in any menstrual cup brand. With regular thorough cleaning this staining can usually be limited.
Odor formation can be prevented by not wearing the cup for too long periods of time. The maximum time span to wear the cup should not exceed 8 hours to 12 hours in the body. Because of the variations of proteins in the blood it is possible that a menstrual cup suddenly takes on a strange smell, even though it has been cleaned as usual.
TIPS for special cleaning problems
To prevent odors always COLD rinse the cup after removal. The smell is caused by protein compounds in the blood. Unpleasant odors usually disappear when you put your well cleaned cup for a few days in a dry, well ventilated place.
Staining of menstrual cups can be lessened when you treat with vinegar or salt water. Hard to reach places can be reached very well with an interdental brush, to prevent and remedy deposits.
TIP: Suitable for special cleaning problems: products for dental or baby care like MILTON disinfection tabs