If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been experiencing the life-changing effect of menstrual cups and discs! These reusable besties make periods hassle-free and easy to manage. But like any reusable product, proper cleaning and sterilization are essential to ensure proper hygiene and prevent the risk of infection. This is where Pixie Cup Steamers come in. Pixie Cup offers three different steamers—the Willow Steamer, the Jayla Steamer, and the Sophie Steamer—each with its own unique features and benefits. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these three steamers to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right one for you!
The Importance of Proper Sterilization
Like anything that we put on or put in our body, we want our menstrual cups and discs to be squeaky clean and sterilized before we use them. Proper sterilization of cups and discs is crucial for maintaining menstrual hygiene and preventing potential health risks. Failing to sterilize these reusable products appropriately can lead to several negative consequences:
- Bacterial Infections: Menstrual cups and discs come into direct contact with the vaginal canal, which is a sensitive and susceptible area. If not properly sterilized, residual bacteria and other microorganisms may remain on the cup or disc, increasing the risk of bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections can cause discomfort, pain, and may require medical treatment.
- Yeast Infections: Yeast, particularly Candida albicans, naturally resides in the vaginal area. However, an overgrowth of yeast can lead to yeast infections. Inadequate sterilization of menstrual cups or discs can create a breeding ground for yeast, as the warm and moist environment provides an ideal condition for their growth. Using an unsterilized cup or disc may introduce excess yeast into the vagina, leading to recurring yeast infections.
- Foul Odor: Improper sterilization can contribute to the development of, shall we say, unpleasant odors. Bacteria and other microorganisms thrive in warm and moist environments, and if not effectively eliminated, they can cause the menstrual cup or disc to emit an unpleasant smell.
So, it’s CRUCIAL that you don’t skip the sterilization step. But there is a better way than heading to the stove to boil your cup in your spaghetti pot. Before we dive into the different types of steamers, let’s talk about why Steamers are waaaaay better than boiling your cup on a stove!
1. Safety
Menstrual cup steamers prioritize user safety. Boiling cups on the stove can pose risks, such as the cup sticking to the bottom of the pot, potentially causing damage to the cup or releasing harmful chemicals. Steamers, on the other hand, provide a controlled and safe environment for sterilization, eliminating the risk of accidents or damage.
2. Efficiency
Steamers are more efficient in sterilizing menstrual cups and discs compared to boiling. Steam can reach higher temperatures than boiling water, ensuring a more effective elimination of germs and bacteria. Our steamers are designed to kill 99.9% of germs in just a few minutes, providing a quick and efficient sterilization process.
3. Convenience
Using a menstrual cup steamer is convenient and hassle-free. Unlike boiling, which requires monitoring the pot on the stove, our steamers come with easy-to-use buttons and simple operation mechanisms. Users can simply place their cups in the steamer, press a button, and let it do the work while they focus on other tasks.
4. Versatility
Menstrual cup steamers offer versatility in terms of where and when you can sterilize your cups. They are suitable for various settings, including bathrooms, dorms, and even on-the-go. Steamers are compact and portable, allowing users to maintain hygiene wherever they are.
5. Compatibility
Menstrual cup steamers are compatible with all brands and models of menstrual cups and discs. This universality allows users to invest in a steamer without worrying about whether it will work with their specific cup. Boiling, on the other hand, may not be suitable for all cups, especially those made with delicate materials or specific instructions for sterilization.
Now, let’s compare and contrast the three Pixie Cup Steamers: the Willow, the Jayla and the Sophie to help you find the perfect steamer to add to your collection.
Pixie Cup Willow Steamer
The Pixie Cup Willow Steamer features a white base with a removable lid. The platform design for cup placement, ensuring convenience and stability during the sterilization process. It cleans and sterilizes the cup in around 3 minutes, offering a quick and efficient solution for maintaining menstrual cup hygiene. Like the other Pixie Cup Steamers, the Willow Steamer is safer and more efficient than traditional boiling methods, killing 99.9% of germs effectively.
One of the key features of the Willow Steamer is its white, slender design with the power button. This button can only be pressed once. Once the cycle has finished running, the button can be pushed again. If the cycle is interrupted by a power-outage or the chord being unplugged, add another 5mL of water, plug the machine back in, and let the cycle finish. The button will pop out after the cycle is complete.
The Willow Steamer is made with high-quality, BPA-free materials, ensuring safety and durability. It is compatible with all brands of menstrual cups, providing versatility and convenience for users.
Watch this short video to learn more.
Pixie Cup Jayla Steamer
The Pixie Cup Jayla Steamer features a sleek, light blue cylinder design that combines aesthetics with functionality. It shares the platform design for cup placement with the Willow Steamer, ensuring secure positioning during sterilization. The touch button on the Jayla Steamer allows for easy operation, and allows for you to turn off the unit whenever you need, making the sterilization process hassle-free.
Similar to the other Pixie Cup Steamers, the Jayla Steamer is safer and more efficient than traditional boiling methods. It kills 99.9% of germs effectively, ensuring optimal hygiene and reducing the risk of infections. The Jayla Steamer is discreet, compact, and compatible with any brand of cup or disc – making it suitable for any setting, including bathrooms, dorms, and on-the-go use. It is made with high-quality materials and is BPA-free, prioritizing user safety and durability.
The Jayla Steamer is compatible with all brands of menstrual cups. By utilizing steam sterilization, the Jayla Steamer ensures a thorough cleaning and sterilization process. It also keeps your menstrual cup in like-new condition.
Watch this short video on how to use the Jayla Steamer.
Pixie Cup Sophie Steamer
The Pixie Cup Sophie Steamer stands out with its elegant design and added features. It introduces a hinge lid design for easy opening and closing. The Sophie Steamer includes a removable menstrual cup stand that doubles as a drying stand. Removing the cup stand allows you to sterilize multiple cups or discs at once, saving time and effort. You can also utilize the stand for cup drying, ensuring thorough drying and reducing the risk of moisture buildup.
Similar to the other Pixie Cup Steamers, the Sophie Steamer is safer and more efficient than traditional boiling methods. It kills 99.9% of germs effectively, ensuring optimal hygiene. The Sophie Steamer is compact and portable, perfect for bathrooms, dorms, and on-the-go
The Pixie Cup Sophie Steamer is compatible with all brands and models of menstrual cups and discs. It is prioritizing safety and durability by being made with high-quality materials and being BPA-free. The Sophie Steamer utilizes the steam sterilization method, ensuring a thorough cleaning and sterilization process. This keeps your menstrual cup hygienic and ready for use.
Watch this short video on how to use the Sophie Steamer.
The Pixie Cup Ginny Sterilizer
The Pixie Cup Ginny Sterilizer boasts a sleek, white design adorned with elegant gold accents. Offering versatility in sterilization methods, it allows you to either boil or steam your cup or disc within minutes! Opting for the boiling method requires about a cup of water, with adjustable knobs allowing for 15 or 20 minutes of boiling time. Alternatively, for gentle steam, a mere 2 teaspoon of water suffices, with a quick adjustment to 5 minutes on the knob. Notably, it’s also one of our larger steamers, capable of sterilizing two menstrual products simultaneously.
Similar to its Pixie Cup counterparts, the Sophie Steamer included the Ginny Sterilizer, which excels in safety and efficiency compared to traditional boiling methods. With a proven track record of eliminating 99.9% of germs effectively, it guarantees optimal hygiene. Despite its impressive performance, the Ginny Sterilizer remains compact and portable, making it an ideal companion for bathrooms, dorms, and even on-the-go use.
The Ginny Sterilizer stands as a universal solution, compatible with all brands of menstrual cups. Employing the power of steam or boiling sterilization, it ensures a comprehensive cleaning and sterilization process, preserving your menstrual cup in like-new condition for extended use.
Watch this short video to learn more.
In summary, the Pixie Cup Willow Steamer, Jayla Steamer, Ginny Sterilizer and Sophie Steamer each offer unique design elements and features that cater to different preferences. All three steamers share common advantages such as their safety, efficiency, compatibility with all brands, and the ability to kill 99.9% of germs effectively. They are suitable for bathrooms, dorms, and on-the-go use.They are made with high-quality, BPA-free materials, ensuring the longevity and safety of the products.
Ultimately, whichever Pixie Cup Steamer you choose, you can be confident that it will provide an efficient and effective method for sterilizing your menstrual cups and discs. You can’t go wrong with any Pixie Cup Steamer!
