Thank you for writing to SSIS! Menstrual cups are not stored in a sterile way, so it is important to sterilize them before the first use. This can be done by boiling the cup in a pot of water for about five minutes, using tongs or another utensil to make sure the cup doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot. It is recommended to boil your cup between cycles as well. During your menstrual cycle, the cup can be washed with warm water and body-safe soap after emptying and before re-insertion. Some brands of menstrual cups (including Saalt, the brand we stock at SSIS!) have menstrual cup sanitizers, but boiling your cup will do just the trick as well!