Cleaning & Disinfecting your Menstrual Cup

All About Cleaning & Sanitizing Your Menstrual Cup

Keeping your menstrual cup clean is essential for both hygiene and longevity. Follow these guidelines to ensure your MeLuna stays fresh, safe, and stain-free cycle after cycle.

Clean First, Then Disinfect

Always clean your menstrual cup thoroughly before disinfecting it.
Heat-treating (boiling or microwaving) a soiled cup may set stains, making them difficult or impossible to remove later.

⏱️ How Often Should You Clean and Disinfect?

🔹 During Your Period

• Clean your MeLuna cup at least every 8–12 hours, even if it isn’t full.
• Regular cleaning helps prevent bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.

🔹 After Your Period

• Disinfect your cup at the end of each cycle before storing it.
• Some users choose to disinfect it again right before their next period for added peace of mind.

How to Clean Your Menstrual Cup

1. Wet the cup under running cold or lukewarm water for at least 5 seconds.
2. Apply a minimum of 1/4 tsp of Cetaphil (or another cup-safe, fragrance-free cleanser). Rub the entire cup thoroughly for at least 30 seconds.
3. Use the MeLuna cleaning brush to clean the two air holes. Run the brush through each air hole at least once to remove any residue.

*Always use a mild, unscented cleanser that’s free from oils and antibacterial ingredients to protect your cup and vaginal health.

After Cleaning: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the cup under running cold or lukewarm tap water for a minimum of 30 seconds. Dry the cup completely before storage. For a perfect place to air-dry your cup, check out our selection of cup trays and stands in the store.

Storage Tips

The MeLuna menstrual cup should never be stored in an airtight container, as this could promote odors. We recommend storing your cup in its breathable bag—each MeLuna cup comes with one included.

Note on Cup-Safe Cleansers

*A cup-safe cleanser can be a cleaner made specifically for menstrual cup care, or a gentle detergent/skin cleanser made for humans, such as Cetaphil.
Do not use harsh or abrasive products like those made for dishes, laundry, or general household cleaning.
Also, do not place your menstrual cup in the dishwasher or washing machine.

Disinfecting / Sanitizing Your Menstrual Cup

Disinfecting your MeLuna menstrual cup is essential before your first use and after every period. Below are recommended methods for proper disinfection.

🔥 Methods Using Hot Water or Steam

On the Stove

Boil your MeLuna cup by submerging it completely in boiling water (100°C / 212°F) for 3–5 minutes. Always monitor the cup while boiling.

⚠️ Important: Never let the cup rest on the bottom of the pot, as it may melt. Use a timer and do not leave the pot unattended.

💡 Tip: Place the cup inside a metal whisk or strainer to keep it from touching the pot and for easy, safe removal. Avoid stirring the cup while it is hot and soft.

Microwave Disinfection

You can disinfect your cup in the microwave by placing it in a microwave-safe container filled with water. The cup should be fully submerged. The TPE material of MeLuna does not absorb microwave heat—disinfection occurs via the boiling water, not the microwave itself.

⚠️ Caution: The water will be very hot. Handle with care when removing the container from the microwave.

Steam Disinfection Device

You may also use a steam-based disinfection device designed for menstrual cups. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.

💧 Methods Using Cold Water

Milton Tablet Disinfection

Tablets like Milton mini tabs—commonly used for baby bottles—can effectively disinfect menstrual cups. Use 1 tablet per 100ml of water.

The MeLuna disinfection cup holds exactly 100ml and is ideal for this method. If using a larger container, be sure to adjust the number of tablets accordingly.

🧼 A Note on Hygiene

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling or inserting your cup. Proper hand hygiene is essential, as contaminants are more likely to come from hands than from a properly cleaned cup.

These cleaning and disinfection procedures have been independently lab-tested and verified for MeLuna cups. Additional user-submitted methods, while popular, may not be validated for effectiveness.

Additional Tips and Ideas on Cleaning and Maintaining Your MeLuna Menstrual Cup

🛑 What Can Damage the MeLuna?

• Wrong detergent: Only use mild, fragrance-free soap or detergent.
  Avoid harsh abrasives, antibacterial agents, and household cleaners.
• Incorrect storage: Do not store your cup in direct sunlight. UV rays can degrade the TPE material over time, making it porous.
• High temperatures: Avoid exposure to temperatures above 280°F (138°C).

Cleaning On the Go

If you're in a public place without access to a sink, here are a few convenient options:

• Wipe out your cup with a clean paper towel or tissue and reinsert it.
• Rinse the cup with bottled water if available.
• Carry cleaning wipes or a small water bottle for added convenience.

💡 Tip: We offer convenient cleaning wipes in our online store—perfect for travel or public restrooms.

⚠️ Avoid Alcohol Wipes

We do not recommend using alcohol-based wipes to clean your MeLuna cup. Studies have shown that alcohol can increase biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus—the bacteria linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

Learn more: Read the study on NIH.gov

Specific Issues: Odor and Discoloration

🟡 Discoloration

Slight discoloration may develop over time with regular use, and this is common across all menstrual cup brands. With consistent, thorough cleaning, staining can usually be minimized.

Important: Always clean your cup with cold water before boiling. Heat can set stains permanently.

How to Remove Stains

Some discoloration may be permanent and difficult to reverse, but you can try the following methods:

• Hydrogen peroxide: Submerge the cup in 3% hydrogen peroxide for up to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward. Do not soak longer than 10 minutes.
• Milton tabs: Dissolve a Milton sterilization tab in cold water and soak the cup for the recommended time.
• For light or temporary stains: Use a mild, cup-safe detergent and warm water with one of our cup cleaning brushes to gently scrub the surface and air holes.

Vinegar Water for Mineral Buildup

Add a little vinegar (no more than a 3% concentration) to hot or cold water to deodorize the cup and help prevent limescale buildup.

In areas with hard water, boiling the cup may lead to calcium deposits, which appear as small, light-colored bumps. Vinegar can help remove these, although manual rubbing may still be required.

In regions with very hard water, consider using a steamer device with distilled water to avoid buildup and extend your cup’s life.

🔺 Odor Formation

Odor can often be prevented by not wearing your cup for too long. MeLuna should be emptied and cleaned every 8 to 12 hours. In some cases, proteins in menstrual fluid may react and create an unusual smell, even if your cleaning habits haven’t changed.

💧 Cup-Safe Water Additives

• Hot salt water: A small amount of salt added to hot water can help reduce staining and enhance cleaning.
• Vinegar water: See the section above for details on how vinegar helps reduce odor and mineral buildup.

📚 Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth blog posts below on odor and staining issues for additional tips and tricks.