Menstruators can get quite hung up about smelling during their periods. It’s perfectly natural for there to be some slight odor but if you’re concerned about a strong smell do go and see your doctor. The good news is that if you think the funky smell is coming from your period cup, there are things you can do about it.
How to keep your period cup fresh
We recommend boiling the cup for 5 to 10 minutes before and after your period, but in case of odor it can be a good idea to boil your cup for up to 20 minutes before and after your period, for the cleanliness of your cup and the health of your vagina. Make sure you use a deep pot to boil your menstrual cup otherwise you will risk burning or warping your menstrual care device. Check out full details on ‘How to clean’.
Alternatively, use liquid soaps or cup wipes, like our Lunette Cup Cleanser and Lunette Cup Wipes, that have been specifically formulated for menstrual cups. These washes are designed to clean the cup properly without leaving any residue. Avoid any that include oils, colorants or scents/fragrance as they may leave chemicals and residues on the cup. Some ingredients also harm the silicone material. A normal vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. Look for cleansing products that have a similar PH balance.
Never, ever put your period cup in the dishwasher!
There are some alternatives that you can use, if you don’t have cup wipes or a proper cleanser at hand.
Wipe thoroughly or soak your menstrual cup for an hour in a water and clear vinegar mixture (50-50 is a good ratio). Pro tip: You can also use a toothpick soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean out your menstrual cup holes. But be careful not to damage the air holes and clean them carefully. Boil your cup AGAIN for up to 20 minutes and allow your cup to air dry in the sun completely before use. Leaving the cup to soak in the sun helps with discoloration or smells – but it’s not always the most practical solution!
32 comments
Hi Angel!
Let us know how it goes! Feel free to email us at info@lunette.com if you feel you need more assistance with the smell. Happy to help!
-Team Lunette
I’m so grateful I’m not the only one having this issue. My cup smelt really bad and I couldn’t figure out why. I’m hoping the vinegar bath and boiling will help.
The one hour hydrogen peroxide soak got the majority of the discoloration out (but not the smell).
The 20 minute boiling of the cup got the smell out! Make sure to set the timer on your phone (and maybe a backup or two) so that the water doesn’t boil away.the cup is made of silicone, so it can handle the heat.
“Silicone rubber is generally non-reactive, stable, and resistant to extreme environments and temperatures from -67 °F to 572 °F (-55 °C to 300 °C).”
Wish I would have read this earlier…thought there was something wrong with the cup because of these smell and threw it out :(
Yay LadyDee!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lunette.com if you find you have any other questions about your menstrual cup.
Seriously, any.
We got you. <3
I was thinking something was wrong with me. My lunette stinks!! Washing myself with almost half a bottle of Summers Eve to fix my pH.
Will be soaking it tonight!
Thanks for all the comments!
@Nahhh: We’re so happy that soaking your cup got rid of the smell!
@L: How long have you had your cup? If it smells really bad and you notice discomfort while wearing it, we recommend you get a new cup. Cleaning your cup regularly is a great way to extend the life of your cup and helps to keep away unwanted smells.
@Dez, @My Mama Ain’t Name Me, @Funky Franny: You are not alone! Period cups can start to smell if they aren’t cleaned properly, or if the soap you’re using is one that doesn’t work well with silicone.
Don’t hesitate to give us a shout at info@lunette.com if you have any other questions!
Omg! Thank you. The peroxide and 20 min soak did the trick. I was not putting that funky cup back in me smelling like it did!
What if the smell doesn’t come out? Is it now bad?
Wheew!!!! Thank you Baby Jesus for others