How to get rid of menstrual cup smell?
Many menstruators worry about odor during their period. And while a slight scent is totally natural, a strong or unusual smell might be worth checking with your doctor. But if you suspect the funk is coming from your menstrual cup, don’t stress. There are simple, effective ways to freshen things up.
How to keep your menstrual cup fresh?
Boiling your cup is one of the best ways to sanitize it. We recommend boiling your Lunette Period Cup for 5 minutes before and after your period. Use a deep pot to avoid burning or warping the silicone. For full instructions, check out Lunette’s cleaning guide.
Use the right cleansers
Opt for liquid soaps or cup wipes specifically formulated for menstrual cups like Lunette’s Cup Cleanser or Cup Wipes. These are designed to clean thoroughly without leaving residue or damaging the silicone.
Avoid products with:
- Oils;
- Colorants;
- Fragrances.
These can disrupt your vaginal pH (normally between 3.8 and 4.5) and harm the cup’s material. Stick to pH-balanced, gentle cleansers.
Never put your menstrual cup in the dishwasher. Ever.
No cleanser? try these alternatives
If you’re in a pinch, here are some DIY methods:
- Vinegar soak: Soak your cup in a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar for one hour.
- Rubbing alcohol toothpick: Use a toothpick dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean the air holes.
- Sun dry: After cleaning, let your cup air dry in direct sunlight. It helps with discoloration and lingering smells.
And yes boil your cup again for 5 minutes after any of these treatments to ensure it’s fully sanitized. Odor doesn’t mean your cup is dirty - it just needs a little TLC. With the right care, your Lunette Cup will stay fresh, safe, and ready to support your cycle sustainably.
photo: courtesy of Pinterest
13 comments
Hi Gloria!
For our menstrual cup, made from medical grade silicone, we mostly recommend vinegar/water mix or Lunette Cup Cleanser and alcohol based Cup Wipes are usually really great at removing some unwanted smells from the cup!
Unfortunately, we cannot 100% guarantee that baking soda, or vinegar/baking soda mix overnight would not cause any damage to the material of the cup (or a disc). This is why we mainly recommend these few tips. Great to hear that it worked for you, but remember to always check that the products have not caused any changes to the surface of cup/disc
Even when using just water/vinegar, or other recommended methods – remember to clean and boil the cup thoroughly before inserting it again to avoid any possible infections or irritation from changing pH!
Best,
Team Lunette
I left my menstrual disc in for over 12 hours (I was busy with work) and when I took it out to empty the content, the smell was horrible. I washed multiple times, soaked it in hot water, tried hot water with baking soda for about an hour but it still didn’t get rid of the horrible smell. So I decided to make a mix of apple cider vinegar (that was what I had), baking soda and hot water, kept it overnight and the smell reduced drastically (it went from a 100 to a 10). So I guess baking soda and apple cider vinegar works perfectly.
I’ll definitely need to try soaking mine in alcohol. Mine, without fail, ends up smelling like (TMI) really bad breath mixed with a fart every single month and it’s really started to disgust me. I also live in a basement apartment with no yard, so leaving it in the sun isn’t an option. Alcohol it is!
Melanie, I feel your pain! I left mine to dry in my bathroom window..well, my husband didn’t close the door thoroughly and the cats got in there. I couldn’t find it for most of the day, until I walked in and they had finally batted it next to the door. Oje. 🤦♀️
Crazy thing, I got out of the shower, glanced over at the cup, and thought to myself, “I hope the cats don’t get in here and knock that down, maybe I should put it away..” But alas I forgot, and my premonition came true. Ergh. 😒
Hi Melanie!
Glad to hear the sun trick is working to get rid of the smell! Yikes about your dog’s new chew toy though haha!
Best,
Team Lunette
I found boiling doesn’t get rid of the smell much but sitting it in a sunny window for awhile always does!😃 however this isn’t always easy in the winter and on a side note make sure it is placed high as apparently a puppy/dog will grab it and toy on this new “toy” 😳🤢 or so I have discovered
Hi Beatrice!
We do not recommend using toothpaste on your menstrual cup- this can cause damage to your cup, and can also affect your vaginal pH balance, which could lead to infection.
Best,
Team Lunette
Toothpaste works like a charm!
I am using two different types of cup, one made of silicone and the other of some different kind of material (not latex). The silicone one smells horrible at the end of my period, the other one does not. Maybe it’s about the material…
I have found tea tree oil between uses removes the smell and I figure it has anti-bacterial properties so that has to be a plus right?
Thank you for these tips. It has helped a lot! Just boiling in water wasn’t helping so I will use vinegar and water next time :)
I’ve used a mentatrual cup for about 15 years and this lunettenisninly my secon in that time. If only I could save the money I would have otherwise spent on tamps And pads!
I accidentally left mine in too long and it has what I can only describe as a “rotten broccoli” smell (gross I know) but how do I make it go away I’ve done just about everything and I gag every time I catch a whiff of it. Any solutions?
My diva cup smells after one use now and doesn’t seem to go away completely. The cup is 3 months old, Ive boiled it, I wash it every time with cold water and the diva wash. Is it normal that I need to soak it in alcohol after each use? I love my cup but this is an issue
