During your period, the routine is simple: empty, rinse, reinsert. But do you need soap every time? Is hot water recommended?
Poor cleaning can cause irritation or damage your protection. Here is the exact protocol for cleaning your menstrual cup (or disc) at each change, without disrupting your vaginal flora.
⚠️ Golden rule: Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your vulva or your cup. It's the first line of defence against infections.
Table of contents
1- The secret: Cold or hot water?
This is the most common mistake. By reflex, we want to rinse with hot water to "clean properly". Don't do it straight away!
The right move: Always start by rinsing your cup with COLD water.
Why? Blood contains haemoglobin (proteins). When exposed to heat, these proteins "cook" and bind to the silicone. This creates:
1.
Permanent brown stains.
2. Persistent odours.
👉 Once the cup has been rinsed with cold water and is visually clean, you can finish with a warm or hot rinse for insertion comfort.
2- Do you need soap? (The intimate gel trap)
Drinking water is sufficient for daily rinsing. But if you prefer to use a cleanser for extra freshness, pay close attention to what you choose.
| ✅ Good cleansers | ❌ To avoid (Danger) |
|---|---|
| pH-acid cleanser (4.5 to 5.5): To respect vaginal flora and silicone. | Marseille / Aleppo soap: Too alkaline (high pH), it strips the flora and can trigger yeast infections. |
| Oil-free formula: To avoid greasing the silicone. | Bath oils / Superfatted soaps: They leave a greasy film that can make the cup waterproof and harbour bacteria. |
| Fragrance-free or natural fragrance: To prevent allergic reactions. | Standard shower gels: Too harsh for internal mucous membranes. |
If you're looking for a safe product, we formulated La Mousse Luneale: certified organic, soap-free, oil-free, and tested Cup Friendly.
The practical tool: Le Cleaner
For an even more effective rinse — especially when you don't want to put your hands under running water or when you're on the go — try the Cleaner Luneale.
This portable rinsing device lets you rinse your cup (and your vulva) with a precise jet of water. The ideal companion for removing residue without scrubbing, leaving you feeling perfectly clean at every change.
3- Making sure the holes are not blocked
This is the detail that makes all the difference for leak protection. The small holes beneath the rim create (and release) the suction seal.
If they're blocked by blood or a clot, the cup won't hold properly.
The "Power-Wash" trick:
Fill your cup with water, place the palm
of your hand flat on top (to seal the opening) and squeeze the body of the cup. The water will shoot out through the holes under pressure and unblock them
instantly.
