(NSFW) What is the best way to sterilize a natural sea sponge in order to use as a tampon?
Asked by
Shippy (
10020
)
April 26th, 2012
I wanted to use a “sea sponge” as an alternative to tampons during my menses. I see these types of sponges, sometimes called natural sponge tampons are readily available in the UK. However where I am they appear not to be at all. The USA also has not OK’d the sale of sea sponges as tampons as they have not been medically approved.
I did some research and found a lot of women had found natural sea sponges, even in Art Supply stores and were using as a sponge tampon.
Here is my question, since I did buy a regular small sea sponge.
What is the best way to sterilize a natural sea sponge in order to use as a tampon?
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12 Answers
I know people sterilize regular sponges by putting them in the microwave so I think that would be an option.
Whatever you do, don’t use boiling water to sterilize it.
I once had a natural sponge, the size of a small melon, that I wanted to sterilize, using boiling water; it came out the size of a golf bal.
Sterilizing Your Sea Sponge Tampon
1. Rinse your sea sponge tampons between uses during your period.
2. Put the sea sponge tampon in boiling water for 60 seconds or let it soak in a colloidal silver solution to disinfect it.
3. Mix a solution of baking soda and cider vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil. Place cooled disinfected tampons in mixture to soak.
E-How
Whatever you do, I would not use a fire sea sponge. No, no, no, I wouldn’t. My son just had a run-in with one on our vacation last month and I have never seen that kid so motivated to paddle home from the mangrove swamp. It also did impressive things to his internet research skills, too.
Let me just tell you that the sponge is not named for fire just because it is orange.
Is that a good idea. I thought you got toxic schock syndrome from things like this.
@Ron_C I stand to be corrected but I believe the converse is true,that you are more likely to get TSS from tampons. The concern I’d have is bacteria from the sea sponge.
Just so I know, what is wrong with tampons. Not that it matters to me one way or the other, but I always wonder why people want to abandon the tried and true for something like sea sponges.
Why not just use a Diva Cup? They are great, come in two different sizes (depending on age and whether you’ve been pregnant or not), and can be used over and over and over… Can’t remember the last time tampons were on the shopping list, although there’s a few in the cupboard for visiting guests.
@josie pollution and cost and safety
Sorry, I’m out of this discussion for two reasons, first I’m a male and this is none of my business, and second, I don’t do squishy stuff.
MASSIVE second for the divacup recommendation. I can’t believe I spent so many years using tampons before I finally switched to my beloved cup. I don’t know exactly why you want to use a sea sponge, but all the reasons I can guess (no environmental impact, avoiding chlorine for your health, lessening cramps, no waste while camping) are equally or better served by a divacup.
I really dont know why men answered this question to be honest, unless they are healthcare specialist, its astounding.
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