Cleaning a stained Diva Cup

[rhiOrion]

I've been using my Diva cup for almost two years now, and it's gotten pretty stained. It seems like most people just wash theirs with soap and water before they put them away for the month, and that's what I do. I also wash it off every time I take it out (twice a day). But for some reason it's really really stained right around the top (which is weird to me, since the blood sits on the bottom!), and I also cannot get the little holes to be completely clean, either.

So what do you use to clean a really stained Diva Cup? I know it's probably not hurting anything, but it's kinda gross, kwim?

Our dishwasher is broken, and I think poor DH would pass out if I put it in there. If you tell me to boil it, I'm going to have to do it when he's not home!

So, rubbing alcohol? Vinegar? Baking soda? Vinegar AND baking soda to make a cool Diva Cup Volcano?!

[Juvysen]

I just use mine stained :

[MamabearTo4]

Mine is stained, too. I use water to rinse it between empties, then use a mild soap and water to wash it between cycles. It's not pretty, but who cares, right? Nobody's gonna be inspecting it...I hope.

I wouldn't expose it to serious heat or harsh soaps. Remember that this is going into a very special place! IMO, the less product you use, the better.

And about the holes... I squeeze the goo out with my thumbnail after I rinse, then rinse again before reinserting. Start from the bottom and press upward. It'll come out that way.

I wonder what the purpose of those holes is?

[Masel]

I have a safety pin I use to clean the holes while at home. I don't mind the stains either but I wonder if a hydrogeon peroxide rinse would help. Denture wash could work too. Obviously lots of water rinsing afterwards.

the volcano sounds cool.

[painefaria]

Here is a link to how-to site...
http://www.ehow.com/how_4519283_diva...-cleaners.html

I have never done it so I am not sure if it will harm the cup.

[SophieAnn]

I had serious staining too, especially around the top. I wish the inside top didn't have all those ridges, with the writing "Diva Cup" and "Made in Canada", there are all sorts of spots that get especially stained.

Recently I worked at it and got most of the staining out. I used a mild soap with water, and used a wash cloth and just scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed. It worked pretty well. I'm going to keep repeating it every month now and I think I can get it all out. It will never look like new, but at least the top won't be really dark compared to the bottom, YKWIM?

Thanks PP for the safety pin idea! I will be able to clean out the holes finally! I was scared to put a pin through it before.

I think the holes are supposed to allow air through them so that the seal isn't too tight, or so that the seal is easier to break...

[Juvysen]

Mine gets the worst on the stem. I just can't get in there to clean well, and I thought it might be because it was exposed to the air more? I dunno. Mine's not as bad around the top, but I do have troubles with the little holes...

[rhiOrion]

Okay, so I think I'll try peroxide, since I have some at home. If that doesn't work maybe I'll try vinegar or something. Those are both relatively harmless, at least.

So, while we're discussing the Diva Cup... did anybody else have to cut the *entire* stem off of theirs? Mine is pretty much smooth on the bottom now... even with a tiny bit of stem it was super uncomfy.

[pixiekisses]

I put mine (mooncup) in vinegar solution, 9 parts water with 1 part vinegar (it says it can). When it's been soaked there for a while, I scrub it, and after that I boil it for a few minutes to sterilize it. Then it's as good as new. No stains after the vinegar and scrubbing.

And I don't have any stem left on mine either, I've never gotten the point of it either so.

[alsoSarah]

From the diva cup site:

The DivaCup’s top quality, healthcare grade silicone can tolerate high temperatures. At the end of each cycle The DivaCup should be washed and rinsed as specified and then submerged in an open pan of boiling water (continuous rolling boil) for twenty (20) minutes. Do not leave the boiling pot unattended and use enough water so that the pan does not boil dry. Do not use vinegar, tea tree oil, scented soap, antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or harsh chemicals as these may damage the silicone and ruin the cup.

Boiling removes the discoloration from mine.

Hth,
alsoSarah

[beeindividual]

I signed up for this website just so I could answer this question!!!

I have a lunette cup, which is slightly different but is made of pure silicone too. I also had staining near the rim and in the holes, and it drove me nuts! I tried everything I could think of and

I FOUND A SOLUTION!!! here it is:

 soak you cup upside-down (rim side down)  in hydrogen peroxide over night. I guarantee that the stains will come right off! plus you'll be sanitizing your cup at the same time! ;)

edit:

I just read the reply above mine. I just wanted to say that I only use the hydrogen peroxide every couple months when the stains start bugging me, and haven't noticed any sort of damage to my cup from using it.

I also had to trim the stem because it was annoying and way too long. I didn't cut it off completely though, and I'm glad I didn't because every once in a while it works its way up during the day and I have to go digging for it. When this happens, the stem I left on is really helpful. But then again, I have a lunette cup not a diva cup. Maybe the lunette cup is made of softer silicone or something?

the holes are for letting the air out as the cup fills up.

Edited by beeindividual - 1/11/13 at 1:42am

[TracyGladRags]

Wow, some good answers here! To add my two cents -- placing the cup in the sun can help with staining too. Unfortunately, this might not be a super helpful tip this time of year ;)

It's not recommended to use a safety pin or anything sharp to help clean the holes, as you can puncture the cup and cause tearing or other damage. Either put water in the cup and squish to make the water push through the holes, boil the cup, or use a soft toothbrush to scrub at the holes. They are very important -- they help you release the suction of the cup when you remove it!

As to the stem issue: yes, lots of women cut the stem completely off their cup. But some women need the whole stem to easily reach it. Every body is different :)

Hope this helps!