If you've ever thought about trying cloth pads

[Melalvai]

Okay. So is cotton or flannel better?

I don't know. I have not observed that one is more or less absorbent than the other. I guess the flannel is softer. I have both.

[badger]

Diva cup all the way, and I doubt I'd ever use reusable pads since I never used the disposable kind.

Question I have for other Diva cup users (this will be TMI): mine gets stained quite a bit, even if I use soap and a soft bristle toothbrush. I know they say in time it will get stained, but is there a way to minimize this? not that I show it to anyone, but I would be mortified if anyone did.

[Norse]

Diva cup all the way, and I doubt I'd ever use reusable pads since I never used the disposable kind.

Question I have for other Diva cup users (this will be TMI): mine gets stained quite a bit, even if I use soap and a soft bristle toothbrush. I know they say in time it will get stained, but is there a way to minimize this? not that I show it to anyone, but I would be mortified if anyone did.

Same here. What I did was mixed a solution of about 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water and soaked Diva in there (I think it was for about an hour or 2). Looks good as new! I occasionally put Diva in the top rack of the dishwasher too.

[shootingstar]

World of women has its own practices.

[badger]

Same here. What I did was mixed a solution of about 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water and soaked Diva in there (I think it was for about an hour or 2). Looks good as new! I occasionally put Diva in the top rack of the dishwasher too.

wow, bleach? I would've thought that would affect the cup?? I used to occasionally spray it down with rubbing alcohol on the first cup I had, but I had read on their website not to use it so for my second one I haven't done anything other than soap/brush and boiling (for disinfecting, not getting rid of stain).

[Norse]

Yep, bleach diluted with water. It has not compromised Diva's integrity in the least (that I can tell).

[VeganBikeChick]

The instructions for cleaning the Diva cup specifically state not to use bleach; they say you can boil it for 5-10 minutes and that should help.

I've personally used baking soda and it really works. It doesn't get out all of the stains, but it gets out most, and it's not damaging to the silicone. HTH.

[Susan]

I clean my Mooncup with soap and water during my cycle, and soak it overnight with tabs for cleaning third teeth afterwards, then cook it for 5 minutes.
The tabs really get the stains off, and don't harm the silicone.

Regarding the cloth pads - I just use small amounts of unbleached cotton instead of liners if I need to, I'm not sure how this compares to reusing cloth pads environment-wise.... it still produces small amounts of waste, but so does cleaning the pads I guess.

[Jolt]

So I finally took the plunge and ordered a cup from Amazon...it just arrived today and I tried out inserting it. It was easier than I thought...should work nicely. Also bought a 3-pack of Glad Rags pantyliners for backup. Should be interesting to see how the next time of the month goes.