First of all: we’re sorry.
Second of all: don’t panic.
Because while dropping your Mooncup into a toilet feels like a genuine personal crisis in the moment, it’s actually more common than you think — especially during summer.
Long days. Heat. Tiny cubicles. Festival toilets that require the balance and core strength of an Olympic athlete.
It happens.
And importantly: dropping your Mooncup down the toilet does not automatically mean it needs throwing away.
So… what should you do?
Retrieve your cup as quickly as possible, then thoroughly wash your hands.
And yes, we know: this is not the glamorous side of Unstoppable Summer.
Once rescued, your cup needs to be properly sterilised before using it again.
In the meantime, switch to backup period care like pads, liners or tampons while you clean your cup.
How to sterilise your Mooncup
We recommend sterilising your Mooncup before first use and at the end of every cycle anyway — so if you’ve dropped it down the toilet, you’re essentially just doing an emergency version of that process.
You’ve got two options:
1. Boiling water
Fully submerge your cup in boiling water for around 5 minutes.
This could be a portable kettle or on a camping stove if you're that prepared.
2. Sterilising tablets or solution
You can also use sterilising solutions or tablets designed for things like baby bottles and medical equipment.
Just make sure to:
- follow the dilution instructions properly
- soak for the minimum recommended time
- rinse thoroughly afterwards
And that’s it.
Your Mooncup is ready to go again.
Festival toilets: the true test of period care
Honestly, this is part of why people switch to menstrual cups in the first place.
Because when you’re dealing with:
- 14-hour festival days
- queues wrapped around the block
- no soap
- no shelf space
- and a portaloo door that barely locks
…the less often you need to deal with period admin, the better.
Our Mooncup Original offers up to 12 hours protection, which means fewer changes, less stress and significantly fewer interactions with festival toilets altogether.
Which feels like a public service, frankly.
The important thing: don’t panic
Switching to a menstrual cup can take practice.
Insertion. Removal. Getting the angle right. Learning not to fumble it when you’re tired, stressed or balancing over a suspicious-looking toilet at a festival.
All normal.
Dropping your cup once does not mean you’ve failed at menstrual cups forever.
It just means you’re human.
And luckily, your Mooncup is designed to survive it.
Blog disclaimer
Our blog is intended to share information and ideas around periods, health, and sustainability. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up to date, things can change over time. The information here is not intended as medical advice — for any health-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For more information on our claims, please see our Claims Page, and for the most up-to-date product information, please visit our Product Pages.
