A Question for My Fellow Diva Cup Friends

[akraus2015]

Hello, fellow Diva Cup users!

I'm on my 5th or 6th cycle using my Diva Cup and it is starting to stain.  I read on their FAQ page that you can boil it in water for 5-10 minutes to remove stains, but that didn't work.  Any other safe remedies to remove the stains?  I know it's still okay to use, but it's kinda ugly now.

Also, this is me today:

[rablissful]

Boiling doesn't remove stains, it's to sanitize the cup. You're supposed to boil it either at the end of every cycle or before your period starts again.

I found this method on Pinterest. I don't know if it works, and I don't know if it will damage your cup.

[akraus2015]

Oct 15, 2015 10:18:51 GMT -5 rablissful said:

Boiling doesn't remove stains, it's to sanitize the cup. You're supposed to boil it either at the end of every cycle or before your period starts again.

I found this method on Pinterest. I don't know if it works, and I don't know if it will damage your cup.

Gah I have now completely grossed myself out, since this is the first time I have boiled it, ever!  I found a couple different recommendations online as well, but I'm worried about damaging the silicone.  That thing was expensive!

Thank you for the info about sanitizing, though!!

[akraus2015]

rablissful, I think I'm going to try the hydrogen peroxide method. Thanks for the link!

[rablissful]

Oct 15, 2015 10:23:02 GMT -5 akraus2015 said:

Oct 15, 2015 10:18:51 GMT -5 rablissful said:

Boiling doesn't remove stains, it's to sanitize the cup. You're supposed to boil it either at the end of every cycle or before your period starts again.

I found this method on Pinterest. I don't know if it works, and I don't know if it will damage your cup.

Gah I have now completely grossed myself out, since this is the first time I have boiled it, ever!  I found a couple different recommendations online as well, but I'm worried about damaging the silicone.  That thing was expensive!

Thank you for the info about sanitizing, though!!

As long as you're washing it in soap and water when you change it it should be good, but it will last longer if you sanitize regularly (plus it gets into the nooks and crannies like the holes).

I read the comments and it looks like if you use a low enough concentration it shouldn't ruin your cup. Just wash it thoroughly when you're done (or boil it). I also wouldn't do it often, just when it gets really stained.

[ohinvrtedworld]

Not a Diva cup user, but I know that when you have blood stains on other things, heat makes the stains set in rather than removes them generally, because the proteins in the blood "cook" so to speak. (I know, disgusting.) They say to wash those things in cold water and set to dry.

All that is to say is that boiling anything stained by blood doesn't seem effective to me. But I could be wrong!

[rablissful]

Oh, I forgot! You can also put it in a sunny window once you get the majority of the stains off. Sun bleaching is the best and should keep it from getting badly stained much longer.

[TheEleventhHour]

I haven't had staining issues with my Diva Cup but I will say hydrogen peroxide works wonders for getting blood out of things. I also use cloth pads and soak them in a hydrogen peroxide and water solution after every use. I've had them for 4.5 years and they have little to no staining. I would definitely try that method rablissful posted!

Also don't feel gross, I don't boil mine after every cycle. I think I only boiled it once before using it.

[thechickencoop]

Yea I don't boil mine. It has slight staining, it's normal. It gets washed incredibly well so I'm not worried. ::shrug::

[twinkie0612]

I never have boiled mine, but I do wash it with soap every morning it is used. I've noticed just slight staining, but not going to worry about it since I am the only person that will see it.