Public toilets – some are nice and clean, others…not so much. But if your time’s up, you’re nowhere near home, and your menstrual cup really needs emptying and cleaning (remember, most of the time you won’t need to change your cup during the day), it’s a case of simply making the best of what you’ve got.
Don’t worry, we’re not going to tell you to run to the sink that’s on the other side of the bathroom stall and hope no one sees you clean your cup, that would be…awkward.
Look at the positives
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In an ideal world, you’ll have access to water, cleanser, cup wipes and a degree of privacy.
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If that’s the case (and it probably isn’t), wash your hands with the cleanser and water to sanitize your hands before they touch the cup. Remove the cup, empty it, clean it with the cleanser and running water and reinsert. Wash your hands again.
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If you don’t have water, you can use biodegradable Lunette Cup Wipes to clean your hands and the cup. They contain only alcohol and water, and they are individually packed for easy use. Remove the cup, empty, wipe it down and reinsert.
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If you have water (bottled or tap), use it to wash your hands and the cup.
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If your water is limited, use what you have to wash your hands and use toilet paper to clean out the cup. When water is available again, wash the cup well.
It’s very important that the cup is cleaned properly as soon as you’re able to. Read our ‘How to clean’ article for more detail. You may find, after a while, that your cup develops a fusty smell. If that’s the case, don’t worry. We have an article on ‘How to remove menstrual cup smell’ too.
Beware the myths
Be careful whose advice you take about cleaning your period cup. Here are two myths we’ve come across, and the truth behind them:
MYTH: The water from the toilet can be used to wash the menstrual cup.
TRUTH: No! Although water from the toilet is considered "clean", millions of bacteria live in and around the toilet seat. If you don't have access to a sink or you don't have cup wipes, you can wipe the cup with clean toilet paper. Cup wipes are not only very convenient at festivals or on the road, but they’re biodegradable too and can be thrown into the compost.
MYTH: Menstrual cups can be washed with any soap. The main thing is that it is washed.
TRUTH: Not quite. If you wash your menstrual cup with unsuitable products, you can damage the cup and your health. The pH levels of soap you should use for your cup should be at 3.5 to 5.5 because the vagina has a low pH level. Basic soaps disturb the natural acidity of the vagina. The pH level of commercial dishwashing detergents and detergents are, for example, 7-10, i.e., much higher than the value of the vagina. Also, all oily detergents are banned because they can attach themselves to the surface of the cup forming a film that gathers the smell and color of the menstrual flow in itself.
In addition, irritation of the mucous membranes of the vagina can be caused which may induce itching, burning and even inflammation. Over time, oils make the silicone material also brittle. Lunette's liquid cleanser has been developed and tested in collaboration with experts to fit perfectly to clean the silicone cup. The components of the cleanser wash the cup effectively, gently, and is safe for your body.
Take a look at all of our menstrual cups and our menstrual cup cleaning options!
Hi Linda! We recommend taking a water bottle in the bathroom stall so you can use it to rinse the blood off of the Cup and your hands, then use Lunette Cupwipes to properly clean the Cup. Then you can wash your hands thoroughly in the sink, without having bloody hands when you exit the stall. 💙
-Team Lunette
I love my cup! I’ve been using one for several years. The above advice is great, and I’ve done it in a pinch, but I’ve always been able to go home at night and clean the cup thoroughly. It’s messy – I need at least two wipes – but it’s doable. But here’s my dilemma. I’m going on a weeklong camping trip, and will be using public restrooms only for the duration. I always get my period when I travel, no matter what. Is there any way to thoroughly clean the cup and my hands in a stall, for the entirety of my period? I don’t want to be washing at the sink and have a young girl – or boy – come in and see me with bloody hands!