Odd Smell?

[kecup2013]

Hey Everyone. I have been using my DivaCup size 1 for about three months now. But just have started to notice a bad smell the past couple of days after I have finally perfected my seal so no more leaks! But The smell is making me wonder.... I wash it after I take it out every time. If I cant use antibacterial soap and warm/hot water I just use warm

Comments

[kuradi8]

Read the replies at the "smells" tag. Lots of good advice there. Basically, it's not harmful, just unpleasant. Get through your period with it and then try some of the methods that are suggested.

[pascallewest]

That happens to my cups when I leave them in all day. It usually doesn't happen when I change it every 4 hours or so. Last time the smell wouldn't come out after leaving it in baking soda all night. Next night I left it in a half vinegar-half water soak at night, and that helped, but didn't take out the smell completely. Then I just left it out so it could have some air flow and its all good now. I have other cups to use while I treat the one in vinegar or airing it etc.
In my opinion, you should NOT be using anti-bacterial soap anywhere around your parts or your cup. Rinsing it out with water between changes is just fine, and boiling at the end of cycle. You don't want to mess with your bacteria and your PH balance down there or it can freak out, possibly resulting in an infection. So don't use antibacterial soap for that.
Don't worry. The smell on it will go away. Just try the vinegar water thing and air flow or sunning it. You might want to get a second cup to have a rotation.

[kecup2013]

I had no idea that washing it in anti bacterial soap was bad. I rinse it well just so that it gets clean. =\ Water doesn't always get all the blood out and that is why I use soap.

[juliiie87]

^this above : I think antibacterial soap is made to leave an antibacterial film or residue, that kills bacteria, and you do not want this in your vagina. I've used a feminine wash, others use denture tablets, peroxide, vinegar, alcohol, bicarbonate, sunning, etc.

[kuradi8]

And on the other hand, I say that if you're going to use soap, ANY soap is fine, as long as you rinse the cup and your hands well afterward.

[kecup2013]

Oh I do i swear. I don't want any soap in my hoo-ha.

[tjs77tsa]

This happens to every cup I use no matter how long I leave it in during the last couple days of my flow it can be as little as an hour or two and the only thing that takes the smell away is Miltons tabs from MeLuna or denture cleaning tabs.

[my_hostage]

Leaving it in a sunny window will help. How long it will take depends on how bad it smells but it's always worked for me. I've left mine in a window for up to three weeks before because I forgot about it.