Cups can be worn safely up to 12 hours at a time – this means it’s unlikely you will have to clean your menstrual cup in public. If you have a heavy period, however, you will face this task more than someone with an average or light period. Whatever your reason for changing a cup in a public stall, I’ve got you covered. The important thing to know? You can stay in your stall and take care of your cup without needing to bring it to the publicly viewable sink for all to see.
No Pack Methods
Option 1: Simply dump the cup’s contents in the toilet and re-insert it without washing or wiping. Cups only need to be washed every 12 hours. As long as you’re washing twice a day you can skip the full wash when emptying other times.
Option 2: Dump your cup’s contents in the toilet, use toilet paper from your stall to wipe the cup clean, and re-insert. For a better clean, try grabbing a paper towel (if available), wet it at the sink, and then use this to wipe the cup clean inside the privacy of your stall. Wash the cup when you’re back home.
Option 3: Look for a stall that also has a sink if it’s available or look for a “family bathroom” which is a private bathroom with a sink. These options are only if no one is in need and waiting.
Come Prepared Methods
Consider packing one of the following for cleaning your cup in a public bathroom stall
Related Resource: How to Pack a Period Emergency Kit
- Cup cleaning spray
- Single-use menstrual cup wipes or alcohol wipes
- A peri bottle or water bottle
Option 1: Pack a cup cleaning spray such as Hello Go. Spray down your cup and wipe it clean with toilet paper. These travel-sized bottles are lightweight and take up very little space. They can also double as hand sanitizer – a huge bonus!
Option 2: Pack a few single-use cup wipes or alcohol wipes. I love the wipes from Tieutcup since they’re so generously sized – you could rip in half and use one half for the cup and one for any blood on your fingers.
Option 3: Pack an empty peri-bottle and fill it with water in the public sink. Bring the bottle with you to the stall and use it to pour over your cup to clean it. You can also use your water bottle if you keep one with you.
Don’t let the fear of cleaning your menstrual cup in public prevent you from trying one. Believe it or not, cups are more convenient than tampons or pads. Even if you have to clean the cup in a public stall you will soon learn how easy and mess-free it can be. Plus, you save yourself from packing a lot of tampons or pads for each outing.
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