Healthdirect, the Australian Government's health information service, gives one clear message about intimate odour: avoid douching, use only water to clean your vagina and keep scented products and deodorants away from the area. The same thinking applies to your period cup. Strong perfumes and harsh cleaners tend to cause problems rather than solve them.
The good news: a menstrual cup that has started to smell can usually be freshened with gentle washing, a boil and plenty of air.
Quick answer: To get rid of period cup smell, rinse the cup with cold water, wash it in warm water with Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap, boil it for 5 minutes, then let it air-dry before storing it in its linen pouch. A light scent is natural; a fishy smell from your body means seeing a doctor.
Why does my period cup smell so bad?
Usually the cup just needs a deeper clean. Lunette's Australian care page says a slight scent is natural, and that a clean cup has no colours, smells or oily residue on its surface. If yours is past "slight", look at:
- What you wash it with. Products with oils, colourants or fragrances can leave residue on the silicone and irritate your vagina.
- How long it stays in. In Australia the Lunette period cup can be worn for up to 8 hours. Jean Hailes says cups should be washed in soapy water every 8 to 12 hours, depending on the brand, or when full.
- The air holes. Blood can sit in the tiny holes under the rim if they aren't flushed.
How do I get rid of menstrual cup smell?
Follow Lunette's cleaning steps, in this order:
- Tip the blood into the toilet and rinse the cup with cold water.
- Wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash, a vegan, pH-balanced gel made only for period cups (keep it off intimate skin), or a mild, unscented soap.
- Squirt water through the air holes: fill the cup, cover the top with your palm, turn it upside down and squeeze. A blunt toothpick dipped in rubbing alcohol is fine; sharp items are not.
- Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle. Use a deep pot so the cup doesn't touch the bottom or sides and the silicone doesn't burn.
- For stubborn marks, leave the cup in direct sunlight for a few hours, or soak it in lemon juice or vinegar and boil it afterwards.
- Let it air-dry fully, then pop it in its breathable linen pouch.
How do I keep my period cup from smelling?
Small habits make the difference. Wash the cup every time you empty it, and stick to Cup Wash or an unscented soap. Lunette says that if perfumed soap is all you have, plain tap water is the better choice. Out bush or at a festival without a sink? Wipe the cup with a Lunette Cup Wipe and give it a proper wash under running water when you get home. Keep it out of the dishwasher.
For the full routine, read how to clean your menstrual cup.
Is a fishy smell from my cup normal?
No. A fishy smell that stays even with a freshly boiled cup is more likely to be coming from your body. Healthdirect describes bacterial vaginosis as sometimes causing an unpleasant or "fishy" vaginal smell with a thin, white or greyish discharge, though many people have no symptoms at all.
When to see a doctor
Healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor if you:
- Notice a change in your normal vaginal discharge.
- Have an unpleasant or fishy vaginal smell.
- Have these symptoms during pregnancy; see your doctor or midwife, as BV can increase the risk of complications.
Healthdirect also notes that some non-prescription remedies and douching are not helpful and may make BV worse.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a period cup to smell a bit?
Yes, Lunette's care page says a slight scent is natural. Washing with warm water and Cup Wash, flushing the air holes and boiling the cup for 5 minutes usually freshens it. If the smell is strong, fishy or seems to come from your body rather than the cup, check in with your doctor.
How do I get stains and smell out of my menstrual cup?
Lunette suggests leaving the cup in direct sunlight for a few hours, or soaking it in lemon juice or vinegar and then boiling it for 5 minutes. Afterwards, let it air-dry completely and store it in its linen pouch, ready for your next period.
Can I wash my period cup with scented soap?
It's best not to. Lunette advises avoiding products with oils, colourants or fragrances, because they can leave residue on the silicone and irritate your vagina. Use Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, pH-balanced, unscented soap, and if perfumed soap is the only option, rinse the cup with plain tap water instead.
Need a new cup to start fresh? The Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone, independently tested by Danish TÆNK, and lasts up to 10 years with good care. See our cleaning page for the routine.
This information is general in nature and is not medical advice. If you're worried about a smell, discharge or discomfort, please talk to your GP.
