washing my cup - do I HAVE to boil it?

[sparklemooo]

all this talk of periods the last few days has made my period arrive- yay! it's been a few months as I have PCOS and am irregular

Comments

[lionessvalenti]

I've used my DivaCup for seven years now and I've never boiled it. I only had one very mild YI, and it wasn't due to my cleaning habits (I may have left it in for about 72 hours straight at the very end of my period -- whoops!). I just rinse mine with water and about twice a year I'll wash it with some soap and rinse it off very well.

[tisiphone]

I almost never boil mine, unless something gross happens like dropping it in the toilet or something. The materials they're made of are basically not amenable to bacterial growth (they're medical-grade materials) and your vagina isn't actually that delicate an environment :) If you're not having problems with it I don't see any reason you must boil it.

[quentinwrites]

I have never boiled or otherwise 'sterilised' my Mooncup UK. I figure I don't sterilise my partner's penis/fingers etc before they go in there so why the cup? ;oP I rinse it with water during my period and then between periods give it a good wash with hot soapy water.

[okayprettygood]

I boil them when I first get them, and then I don;t anymore, unless, as someone else mentioned, I drop it in the toilet or something like that happens.

I rinse it each time I empty it and wash it with soap and water before periods, nothing more...and I've never had an issue! :)

[juliiie87]

I rinse in cold water and wash with a feminie wash every other time, but just for peace of mind and to keep stains away really. I'll look into something like peroxide or baking soda, maybe once a year ? I haven't figured that out yet. I've boiled twice in 8 months, but I find it's too much hassle.