The main reason I was first put-off of reusable menstrual pads or cups is because they had to be cleaned to be able to be reused. Cleaning my menstrual blood off of a silicon cup or out of a cloth seemed pretty gross and I wasn't even entirely sure how to go about doing it in a sanitary way.
Now that I've gotten the hang of washing and reusing I figured it would be nice to outline my method and the steps I take to make sure my period is as clean as possible.
Reusable Menstrual Cups Cleaning How-To:
Equipment:
Warm Water
1 Saucepan / pot (quart-size or larger)
1 Napkin/Cloth/Paper Towel*
Time:
Couple of minutes during your cycle
10 minutes once a month after your cycle
Once a Month:
Take your saucepan and fill it 3/4ths way with water. Set the water on your stove and bring to a rapid boil. Drop your cup in for 5 minutes and let it boil, ensuring that the cup does not "sit" on the bottom or side of the pan and continues to move around with the bubbles.
Once your cup has boiled for 5 minutes, pull your cup out and lay it on a paper towel* to dry and wait for your next cycle to begin.
-Note: Do not allow your cup to sit and dry facing downward. You do not want to trap moisture in the cup. It is important to dry the cup on it's side.
During Cycle:
Remove your cup from inside of you, remembering to squeeze the bottom to break the seal (some women prefer a small twist as well to help the cup release the suction). Tilt your cup into the toilet to release the content and rinse your cup out with warm water. You may choose to wipe the cup with toilet paper, paper towels, or a soft lint-free cloth. Once rinsed, reinsert the cup.
Reusable Menstrual Pads Cleaning How-To:
I clean my pads once after my cycle has ended.
Equipment:
1 Gallon-Size Bucket (with or without lid)
1 Large Scoop of Oxygen-Cleaner (any brand)
1 Cup of Hot Water
Cold Water
Soaking Time (1+ hours; overnight preferred)
Washing Detergent for a Small Load
*Optional: 1 Natural Stain Removal Stick (I have the Domino Pads Laundry Stick, but many women seem to have success with a BunchaFarmers Stain Remover Bar)
*Optional: 1/4 Cup White Distilled Vinegar (any brand)
Take the gallon bucket and place the oxygen cleaner and hot water into it. Mix this together until most of the cleaner has been somewhat dissolved. Add in cold water until the bucket is 3/4ths full of water. Add in the vinegar if you have opted to do so (vinegar will help to reduce odor, but it not necessary and I only use vinegar once every few soaks and not every time). [Pre-treat your pads with the stain removing stick at this point by rubbing the stain stick directly onto the pad.]
Drop in the soiled pads and make sure that the water begins to absorb (I have a tendency to need to press my pads into the water a bit to make sure all of them are fully in the water).
Let the pads soak for at least one hour. I strongly recommend leaving them for longer--overnight, if possible--but I know it might be a little strange in the beginning to have a soaking pail of pads underneath your bathroom sink so if it can't wait then go as long as you can with the soak.
Once you have let them soak for awhile, pour out the water and squeeze the pads so that they aren't actively dripping with water. Sometimes I like to give them a little rinse in cold water, too.
Throw the pads into the washer then with your detergent. Wash your cycle on cold or warm, at the most. You may wash the pads with any other clothing item(s) you'd like. Alternatively, you can opt to handwash them but I haven't done so previously so I can't really give advice on that.
I can say that I don't dry my pads in a machine. I really just hang mine and let them air dry that way, but it's really a personal preference on that one. Just make sure they dry fully, and if you use a dryer then it's probably best not to try them on hot or high heat.
