My cup or disc has developed spots that I can't get rid ofUpdated 5 months ago
Hard water buildup and residue can be unsightly, but at the end of the day, it should not harm your cup or disc or your body. You can try boiling your cup in distilled water moving forward if you like. All minerals have been filtered out of distilled water so your cup should not continue to have more build-up of hard water spots moving forward. You can also thoroughly wipe down your cup with 70% isopropyl alcohol as a sanitizing option if you like instead of boiling. Be sure to allow the alcohol to evaporate before inserting your cup again.
In general, we do not recommend soaking your cup in anything. While Saalt Cups and Discs are not porous, the silicone can break down and deteriorate over time if the silicone is exposed to anything (cleaners or vaginal pH) that is either too acidic or basic. (This recommendation includes Milton sterilizing tablets which will ruin your cup or disc).
The one exception to the "no soaking" guideline is if staining, accumulation of hard water spots, or smells are a concern. While medical-grade silicone is hydrophobic and resistant to fluid penetration, medical-grade silicone is gas/air permeable. You may occasionally soak your cup in a 3% hydrogen peroxide for a brief time, up to a maximum of 8 hours. As long as it's a 3% solution (which is the most common over-the-counter kind) and you do this only every few months, it should be just fine. We do not recommend a peroxide soak on a monthly basis, as prolonged or repeated exposure could degrade the silicone over time. Sometimes doing a peroxide soak will remove hard water spots, but not always. Your cup is still good to use!
The one exception to the "no soaking" guideline is if staining, accumulation of hard water spots, or smells are a concern. While medical-grade silicone is hydrophobic and resistant to fluid penetration, medical-grade silicone is gas/air permeable. You may occasionally soak your cup in a 3% hydrogen peroxide for a brief time, up to a maximum of 8 hours. As long as it's a 3% solution (which is the most common over-the-counter kind) and you do this only every few months, it should be just fine. We do not recommend a peroxide soak on a monthly basis, as prolonged or repeated exposure could degrade the silicone over time. Sometimes doing a peroxide soak will remove hard water spots, but not always. Your cup is still good to use!