Let’s talk about the new and growing category of products designed for menstrual cup users – the menstrual cup steam sanitizer, often just referred to as a “Menstrual Cup Steamer.” They’re convenient and fast, but are they an upgrade or a downgrade compared to boiling your menstrual cup in a pot of water?
Why Do I Need a Menstrual Cup Steamer?
The simple answer is that you don’t NEED one. But they are one way to solve a problem that cup and disc users face every 28 days. You should be sanitizing your menstrual cup or disc once per month, either before of after your period.
Related Post and Video: 5 Ways to Sanitize Your Menstrual Cup or Disc
For Type B personalities who won’t think to boil their cup at the end of the cycle, this often results in a mad dash to boil it when their period starts the following month. If there is no time to boil this usually means skipping it for later, or for the entire month. It’s a best practice not to go too long without a proper sanitizing cycle to kill any bacteria on your cup.
@periodnirvana Boiling is free but steaming is a lot faster! Both options get rid of bacteria. You should be boiling or otherwise sanitizing your menstrual cup once per month. A steamer is a luxury item but one that makes life a little easier each month. #cuptok #periodtok ♬ original sound – Period Nirvana
A menstrual cup steamer comes in handy because it performs the same function as boiling but in just 5 minutes! Compare that to 15-30 minutes of the boiling ritual depending on the size of the pot you use and your stove.
Menstrual Cup Steamer Pros
- Fast – most steamers will run a full steam cycle in less than 5 minutes.
- Effective – once the steam is created this product has reached the temperature needed to kill bacteria effectively. See this FAQ from Saalt for more information on their testing and findings
- Portable – a steamer can be used in any room of the house with an outlet and can travel in a suitcase
- Discreet – there is no shame in having a period but not everyone wants to boil their cup in public view of their family or roommates
- Safe – menstrual cup steamers automatically shut off so there is no worry about burning your cup to ash if you walk away from the stove for an hour by mistake. ADHD FRIENDS, THIS IS FOR US!
- Universal – the menstrual cup steamers available fit virtually all brands of cups and discs
Menstrual Cup Steamer Cons
- Pricey – most steamers come with a price tag over $30, compared to free if you use a pot and boil on the stove
- Breakable – as an electronics product there is always the possibility it can break from being dropped, or fall victim to a defect in manufacturing. It may or may not be covered for replacement by the manufacturer or retailer depending on warranty
- Capacity – you can only steam a single cup or disc at a time, if you use more than one in a cycle it may be easier to boil them in one pot instead
- Compatibility – Steamers will work with nearly all menstrual cup and disc brands, but there are a few extra long or extra wide products that won’t fit in certain models.
Is A Menstrual Cup Steamer Worth the Money?
Still trying to decide if a menstrual cup steamer is a good investment? Here are a few frequently asked questions we get asked on social media or via email about steamers now that they’re available on our website.
A: The time your steamer takes to finish a full cycle can take 1-5 minutes depending on multiple factors including the brand, water’s mineral content, and outlet wattage.
A: Yes. Once steam is created the temperature is high enough to kill bacteria.
A: No – you need to run one steam cycle per cup, don’t stack them on top of one another.
A: Yes, a menstrual cup steamer can go on your travels with you. It’s fairly compact and works anywhere with the same type of outlet. If you’re traveling overseas the outlet and plug may not be compatible. A more travel friendly option is the compact sanitizer that can be microwaved, or just use alcohol wipes and boil or steam the product when you return from the trip.
Which Menstrual Cup Steamer Should I Choose?
Period Nirvana currently has two brands availalable – Saalt Cup and Disc Steamer and Hello Steamy. If you’re into aesthetics first and foremost the Saalt Steamer comes in three colors and offers a beautiful signatures wave pattern in each. It looks great on any counter!
Hello Steamy comes in pink and while I think Saalt wins in aesthetics, the scalloped lid design is definitely adorable as well. Hello Steamy has a few more plug options available for overseas customers on their own website. Saalt Steamer fits every cup and disc we have thrown into it, while Hello Steamy has a few discs and cups that might not fit due to it’s smaller overall size. But the small size makes it easier to store if space is tight. You can always email orders@periodnirvana .com if you have a question about compatibility before your purchase. Both work well and will make periods a lot more convenient for you.
And best of all – both Saalt Cup and Disc Steamer and the Hello Steamy are HSA/FSA Eligible through Period Nirvana!
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