How to Clean a Menstrual Cup: The Complete OB-GYN Guide

A clean cup is a safe cup. Done right, a quality menstrual cup lasts up to 10 years and is one of the most hygienic period products available. Done wrong, it can carry bacteria, discolor, smell, and irritate your vaginal microbiome.

Here's the complete cleaning routine — daily, end-of-cycle, on the go — written with input from OB-GYN Dr. Elena Dolgan.

The Two Cleaning Modes

There are only two things you ever need to do:

That's it. Everything else in this guide is detail and troubleshooting.

Rinse and wash during your period — every time you empty the cup (every 4–12 hours).
Sterilize between periods — once at the end of each cycle, before you store it.

Daily Cleaning During Your Period

Every empty:

Wash your hands.
Remove the cup, empty into the toilet.
Rinse with cool water first (hot water sets stains and odors), then warm water.
Wash with a small amount of fragrance-free, pH-balanced intimate wash or plain water.
Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue remains.
Reinsert.

Once per day during your period:

Give the cup a more thorough wash, paying attention to the rim air holes (use a soft toothbrush dedicated to cup care, or stretch the holes and rinse them under running water).
If you can, do this at home where you have your usual intimate wash and clean water.

End-of-Cycle Sterilization (the Most Important Step)

Sterilize the cup at the end of every period, before storing it. Choose one of these methods:

Method 1 — Boiling (free, most common)

Fill a small pot with enough water to cover the cup.
Bring to a rolling boil.
Drop the cup in and boil for 5–7 minutes. Do not let it touch the bottom of the pot — set a whisk in the pot to suspend it, or stir occasionally.
Remove with clean tongs, air dry on a clean surface.

Method 2 — Steam sterilizer (fastest, most foolproof)

A purpose-built menstrual cup drying stand and steam setup sterilizes and air-dries in one step. Baby bottle steam sterilizers work too.

Method 3 — Sterilizing tablets (travel-friendly)

Dissolve a Milton or similar sterilizing tablet in cold water, submerge the cup for the time on the package (usually 15 minutes), rinse with clean water before storing.

Method 4 — Hydrogen peroxide soak (alternative)

3% hydrogen peroxide for 5–10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

After sterilizing, air dry completely before storing. Storing a damp cup encourages mold and odor.

Storage Between Cycles

Never store the cup in an airtight plastic bag or box. Silicone needs to breathe — moisture trapped against it causes odor, discoloration, and bacterial growth.

The right storage:

The wrong storage:

A breathable cotton or organic pouch — the Leia Case is designed exactly for this: ventilated, washable, and small enough to slip into a drawer or carry-on.
A clean, dry shelf in a bathroom cabinet — not on an exposed shelf where airborne dust settles on it.
Sealed plastic bag or ziplock
Damp drawer or back of a humid bathroom
The packaging the cup arrived in (rarely breathable)

Cleaning On the Go

Public restroom routine

Wash your hands before entering the stall.
Remove and empty the cup into the toilet.
Wipe the inside and rim with fragrance-free menstrual cup wipes or unscented toilet paper.
Reinsert.
Give it a proper rinse and wash next time you're home or at a private sink.

Camping, travel, no clean water

Bring a small bottle of bottled drinking water to rinse with.
Sterilizing tablets work without boiling.
Pack the cup in its breathable case between uses.

What NOT to Use

Avoid these — they damage silicone, leave residue, or disrupt your vaginal microbiome:

❌ Antibacterial soap (residue triggers irritation)
❌ Scented or perfumed soap
❌ Body wash with oils or moisturizers (coats the silicone)
❌ Vinegar (weakens silicone over time)
❌ Bleach (degrades silicone, dangerous residue)
❌ Alcohol or rubbing alcohol (dries and damages silicone)
❌ Dishwasher (high heat warps the cup; detergent residue is harmful)
❌ Microwave (uneven heat, fire risk)
❌ Tea tree or essential oils (irritating to vaginal tissue)
❌ Castile soap (oil base coats silicone)

Fixing Common Problems

My cup is stained brown or yellow

Normal over time. To reduce:

Always rinse with cool water first before warm.
Boil for 5–7 minutes at end of cycle.
For deeper stains, soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide for an hour, then sterilize.
Sun-drying outside in direct sunlight gently bleaches silicone.

My cup smells

Most common cause: incomplete drying before storage, or storing in plastic.

Sterilize.
Air dry completely — overnight on a drying stand is ideal.
Store in a breathable case.
If smell persists after 2 sterilization cycles, consider replacing the cup.

Air holes are clogged

Stretch each hole gently and run water through. A soft (cup-only) toothbrush helps. Clear air holes are essential for the suction seal — clogged holes cause leaks.

Cup got dropped in the toilet

Pick it up, wash thoroughly, then sterilize fully (boil or steam) before reusing. Don't skip this step.

When to Replace Your Cup

Even with perfect care, replace if you notice:

A well-cared-for cup lasts 5–10 years. If you've had yours longer and it still looks and feels new, it's fine to keep using.

Sticky or filmy surface that doesn't wash off
Tears, cuts, or holes
Persistent smell after thorough sterilization
Deep discoloration that won't lift
Loss of elasticity (the cup doesn't bounce back to shape)

Products That Make Cleaning Easier

Two accessories solve the most common cup hygiene mistakes:

Together they're under $20 and they're the single best upgrade you can make to your cup routine.

Leia Case — breathable cotton pouch designed for between-cycle storage. Stops the moisture-and-plastic problem that causes odor.
Leia Drying Stand — air-dries your cup off the counter, away from bacteria and dust, so it's fully dry before it goes back in the case.

The 60-Second Routine, Summarized

Take care of your cup and it takes care of you — for up to a decade.

Reviewed by Elena Dolgan, M.D., OB-GYN and founder of Leia. Educational content, not medical advice.

During period: rinse cool, wash with mild intimate soap, rinse, reinsert.
End of period: boil 5–7 min or steam sterilize, air dry fully, store in a breathable case.
Never: harsh soaps, bleach, vinegar, oils, dishwasher, microwave, airtight plastic storage.

Leia Cup — menstrual cup designed by an OB-GYN for a low cervix. Shop Leia Cup · Find your size