It happens. You remove your menstrual cup or reusable disc, it slips out of your hand and lands straight in the toilet.
So, can you clean it and put it back in?
Our recommendation is simple: if your menstrual cup or reusable disc has fallen into the toilet, replace it.
Reusable period products can normally be washed and sanitised between uses, but those cleaning instructions are intended for routine menstrual use. They havenโt been designed or validated specifically for exposure to toilet water or possible faecal contamination.
Considering a cup or disc sits inside the vagina for hours at a time, we donโt think itโs worth the risk.
Why do we recommend replacing it?
Toilets can contain bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms from urine, faeces and surrounding bathroom surfaces.
Even if the toilet looks clean, you canโt know exactly what the product has been exposed to.
Boiling is commonly recommended for sanitising many menstrual cups and discs between cycles, but there isnโt good evidence establishing that a particular boiling time makes a menstrual product safe to reinsert after it has been dropped into a toilet.
Thatโs why we prefer the cautious option: retire the product and replace it.
What if it was my own clean toilet?
Weโd still recommend replacement.
A home toilet may be cleaner than a busy public bathroom, but it is still a toilet and can contain microorganisms that you donโt want to introduce into the vagina.
If youโre already wondering whether youโll feel comfortable putting the cup or disc back in, thatโs probably your answer.
What if it fell into a public toilet?
Definitely replace it.
In a public bathroom you donโt know:
- how recently the toilet was cleaned
- what has been in the bowl
- which microorganisms may be present
- whether cleaning chemicals are still in the water
If youโre away from home, use another period product until you can replace your cup or disc.
Our public bathroom tips for menstrual cup and disc users can also help make emptying your product away from home easier.
What about a disposable menstrual disc?
If a single-use menstrual disc falls into the toilet, throw it away.
Disposable discs arenโt designed to be washed, sanitised and reused.
What if I dropped my cup or disc on the bathroom floor?
Thatโs different.
If a reusable cup or disc falls onto a reasonably clean bathroom floor, bench or empty sink, you generally donโt need to replace it.
Wash it thoroughly and sanitise it according to the manufacturerโs instructions before putting it back in.
If it lands somewhere visibly dirty or contaminated with bodily fluids, use your judgement. When in doubt, replacement is the safer option.
What if my cup fell into the toilet while I was doing a poo?
Bearing down during a bowel movement can move a menstrual cup lower in the vaginal canal and occasionally it can slip out.
If that happens once, it doesnโt necessarily mean thereโs anything wrong with your cup.
If your cup regularly moves down or feels as though it is being pushed out, however, it may be worth looking at:
- cup size and diameter
- cup shape
- cup firmness
- your cervix height
- pelvic floor function
- how the cup is positioned
Read our guide to why your menstrual cup may be slipping down.
If you know your cup tends to move lower during bowel movements, you may simply prefer to remove it first.
How can you avoid dropping your cup in the toilet?
Menstrual cups can be surprisingly slippery when wet, so this is an easy mistake to make.
A few simple tricks can help:
- remove the cup slowly rather than pulling it out quickly
- hold the base of the cup securely rather than pulling on the stem
- keep your other hand underneath while removing it
- remove it slightly forward of the toilet bowl rather than directly over the water
- only tip the contents into the toilet once you have a secure grip
Frequently asked questions
Can I boil my cup after dropping it in the toilet?
Many menstrual cups can normally be sanitised by boiling them according to the manufacturerโs instructions, but those instructions arenโt specifically designed for toilet contamination. Because we canโt confidently say boiling makes a toilet-dropped product safe for vaginal reuse, Period Shop recommends replacing it.
Can I disinfect it with bleach or alcohol?
We wouldnโt recommend trying to rescue the product with household disinfectants, bleach or alcohol. These products may damage some menstrual-product materials or leave residue. If your cup or disc has fallen into the toilet, replacing it is the simpler and safer option.
Do I need to replace a cup that falls in the sink?
Usually not. If it falls into a reasonably clean, empty sink, wash it thoroughly and sanitise it according to the manufacturerโs instructions before using it again.
Does a cup falling out mean it is too small?
Not necessarily. Bearing down can move a cup lower temporarily. If your cup regularly slips down during normal wear, however, its size, shape, firmness, your cervix height or pelvic floor function may be worth reviewing.
What should I do with the old cup?
Check our guide to disposing of an old menstrual cup or disc for options.
Our recommendation: replace it
Weโre big fans of getting years of use from a good menstrual cup or reusable disc, but there are some situations where replacement makes more sense than trying to salvage it and landing in the toilet is one of them.
If it happens, donโt beat yourself up. Retire the old one, replace it and perhaps use the two-handed removal technique next time.
Related reading
- Public bathroom hacks for menstrual cup and disc users
- How to use a menstrual cup
- How to use a menstrual disc
- What is the lifespan of a menstrual cup or disc?
- How to dispose of an old menstrual cup or disc
- Why is my menstrual cup slipping down?
This article provides general educational information. Always follow the cleaning, care and replacement instructions provided by the manufacturer of your menstrual product.