How to Clean Silicone Cups After Silicone Cupping?
Cupping therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practiced for thousands of years. As cupping becomes one of the most popular alternative therapies, people start to be interested in buying cupping sets, especially silicone cupping sets, and do cupping at home. The problem they are facing is, how to clean silicone cups after cupping?
Why do I need to clean silicone cups?
Before discussing how to clean silicone cups, let us explain why you need to clean them. In fact, all types of cup that are used for cupping therapy are required to be sterilized properly. Generally, before the start of one cupping session, people need to apply oils, gels or lotions on the skin first. However, oils, gels, and lotions are very hard to be cleaned and they are prone to residue. The residuals will generate bacteria. As a result, people are easily infected by using unclean cups for cupping massage.
In fact, silicone cup is defined as a semi-critical medical equipment/device by the Public Health Agency of Canada since it comes into contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin. Thereby, silicone cups require what’s considered “high-level disinfection” prior to being re-used again. When you fail to disinfect properly, you subject your patients or yourself to possible transmission of infections or illness.
How to sterilize silicone cups properly?
The best way to sterilize silicone cups is to submerge the cups in water and detergent because organic matters won’t be able to dry on them. Using a detergent is necessary to remove all visible material from surface of the cups. After, rinse thoroughly to ensure the cleaning agents used are washed off. Please remember that before applying a high-level disinfectant, you have to ensure the cups are completely dry.
According to the special features of silicone, you should avoid using improper sterilization methods like boiling, ultraviolet light, glass bead sterilization, microwave ovens, and/or chemical sterilization.
Which detergent should I choose?
Using detergents and similar agents is important: they can leave residue behind and/or keep your cups’ surface slippery. Besides, they can also neutralize the disinfectant that’s to come. We high recommend you choose the disinfectants that include:
- 2% glutaraldehyde
- 7.5% hydrogen peroxide
- 0.2% peracetic acid
- 2-7% enhanced action formulation hydrogen peroxide
- 0.55% ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA).
In this solution, the cups must be left in soak for at least 30 minutes. After the soaking, rinse the cups off once again and let them dry. Before using the cups next time, your silicone cups should be fully dry.
As a conclusion, cleaning silicone cups after cupping therapy is necessary. Please avoid using any improper sterilization methods and follow our instructions carefully. By following these instructions, you can effectively reduce bacteria as well as prevent infection.
Silicone cupping is an absolutely fantastic method of relieving chronic pain and soothing sore muscles. If you’re looking for silicone cupping sets, do not hesitate to visit Lierre.ca! We offer wide range of high-quality cupping sets and massage accessories. Buy the best cupping set in Canada from Lierre.ca today!