Sustainable Period Care: Why Wirecutter Recommends Saalt

The average person who menstruates will use 11,000+ disposable period products in their lifetime. That's a lot of waste, money, and exposure to chemicals. Saalt offers a better way—and Wirecutter agrees. Here's why they named Saalt their top pick for menstrual cups, and why switching to sustainable period care is one of the best decisions you can make.

The Problem with Disposable Period Products

Environmental Impact

The numbers:

• 11,000-16,000 disposable products per person over lifetime
• 200,000+ tons of period waste in US landfills annually
• 500-800 years for pads/tampons to decompose
• Plastic applicators wash up on beaches worldwide

What's in disposable products:

• Plastic (derived from petroleum)
• Synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon)
• Bleach and dyes
• Adhesives and fragrances

Health Concerns

Potential risks:

• Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): Rare but serious bacterial infection linked to tampons
• Chemical exposure: Dioxins from bleaching process
• Fragrance irritation: Synthetic fragrances can cause allergic reactions
• Dryness: Tampons absorb natural moisture, not just blood

Financial Cost

Lifetime spending on disposable products:

• Average: $150-200 per year
• Over 40 years: $6,000-8,000
• Plus pain relievers, heating pads, stain treatments

Why Wirecutter Chose Saalt as #1

The Testing Process

Wirecutter tested menstrual cups over months, evaluating:

• Comfort: Does it cause pressure or discomfort?
• Ease of use: Insertion, removal, cleaning
• Leak protection: Does it actually work?
• Material quality: Medical-grade silicone, durability
• Sizing options: Fits different anatomies

The result: Saalt Soft Cup won for comfort, especially for those with bladder sensitivity.

What Made Saalt Win

1. Softer, More Comfortable Design

Saalt's key innovation is the Soft Cup:

• 30% softer than standard cups
• Reduces bladder pressure
• More comfortable for sensitive users
• Still provides reliable leak protection

Wirecutter's note: "The Soft Cup is noticeably more comfortable for those with bladder sensitivity."

2. Medical-Grade Silicone

• 100% medical-grade silicone
• Biocompatible (safe for body)
• Hypoallergenic
• No BPA, latex, or toxins
• Durable (lasts 10 years)

3. Thoughtful Sizing

Two sizes based on research:

• Small: For those under 30 or who haven't given birth vaginally
• Regular: For those over 30 or who have given birth vaginally

Why this works: Sizing based on pelvic floor changes, not just flow.

4. Easy to Use

• Soft rim for easier insertion
• Pull tab for simple removal
• Smooth surface for easy cleaning
• Comes with instructions and tips

5. Sustainable Mission

Saalt donates 2% of revenue to menstrual health initiatives:

• Period education in schools
• Access to period products for those in need
• Breaking period stigma

The Science of Menstrual Cups

How They Work

• Inserted into vaginal canal
• Creates seal to collect (not absorb) menstrual blood
• Holds 2-3x more than tampons
• Can be worn for up to 12 hours

Safety Research

Studies show menstrual cups are:

• As safe as tampons (lower TSS risk)
• As effective for leak protection
• More cost-effective long-term
• Better for vaginal pH balance (don't absorb natural moisture)

Medical-Grade Silicone Benefits

• Non-porous (doesn't harbor bacteria)
• Doesn't absorb fluids or odors
• Withstands boiling for sterilization
• Lasts 10 years with proper care

Real User Insights

What people love most:

• "Forget I'm on my period—so comfortable"
• "Saved me thousands of dollars"
• "No more midnight tampon runs"
• "Travel is so much easier"
• "Feel good about reducing waste"

Common concerns addressed:

Q: Is it hard to insert/remove?
A: Learning curve of 1-3 cycles. Saalt provides detailed instructions and video tutorials.

Q: Will it leak?
A: When properly inserted, leak protection equals or exceeds tampons. Most leaks are user error during learning phase.

Q: Is it messy?
A: Less messy than changing tampons once you get the hang of it. Empty over toilet, rinse, reinsert.

Q: Can I use it overnight?
A: Yes! Safe for up to 12 hours, perfect for overnight use.

Q: What about TSS risk?
A: Lower risk than tampons. Only a few TSS cases ever linked to cups (vs. thousands with tampons).

The Financial Breakdown

One-Time Investment

Saalt Cup: $30-40

Lifespan: 10 years

Cost per year: $3-4

Cost per period: $0.25-0.33

Compare to Disposables

Tampons/Pads:

• $10-15 per month
• $120-180 per year
• $1,200-1,800 over 10 years

Savings with Saalt:

• 10-year savings: $1,170-1,770
• Lifetime savings (40 years): $4,680-7,080

What You Could Do with $5,000+

• Down payment on a car
• Multiple vacations
• Emergency fund
• Investment account

Environmental Impact

One Person Switching to Saalt

Prevents from landfills:

• 11,000-16,000 disposable products over lifetime
• 2,000+ plastic applicators
• Packaging waste from 400+ boxes

Carbon footprint reduction:

• Manufacturing of disposables
• Transportation and packaging
• Landfill decomposition emissions

If 1 Million People Switched

• 11-16 billion fewer disposable products in landfills
• Massive reduction in plastic pollution
• Significant carbon emissions saved

How to Make the Switch

Getting Started

Step 1: Choose your size

• Under 30 or no vaginal births: Small
• Over 30 or vaginal births: Regular
• When in doubt: Start with Small (easier to insert)

Step 2: Practice before your period

• Try insertion/removal when not menstruating
• Use water-based lube if needed
• Watch Saalt's tutorial videos

Step 3: Give it 3 cycles

• Cycle 1: Learning curve, possible leaks
• Cycle 2: Getting comfortable
• Cycle 3: Confident and easy

Tips for Success

• Relax: Tension makes insertion harder
• Find your fold: Try different folding techniques (C-fold, punch-down, 7-fold)
• Check the seal: Run finger around base to ensure it's open
• Empty regularly: Every 8-12 hours, more often on heavy days
• Clean properly: Rinse between uses, boil between cycles

Maintenance

During your period:

• Rinse with water between empties
• Use mild, unscented soap if needed
• Store in breathable pouch (comes with Saalt)

Between periods:

• Boil for 5-7 minutes to sterilize
• Store in cotton pouch (not airtight container)
• Keep in cool, dry place

Beyond the Cup: Complete Sustainable Period Care

Saalt Period Underwear

Wirecutter also recommends Saalt's period underwear as a budget pick:

• Backup protection with cup
• Light flow days
• Overnight peace of mind
• Reusable, washable

Building Your Sustainable Period Kit

• Saalt Cup: Primary protection ($30-40)
• Period underwear: Backup/light days ($25-35)
• Reusable pads: Optional backup ($20-30)
• Wet bag: For storing used items when out ($10-15)

Total investment: $85-120
Pays for itself in: 6-9 months

Shop Saalt Collection →

Common Myths Debunked

Myth: Cups are only for experienced users
Truth: Beginners can use cups successfully. Saalt's soft design is especially beginner-friendly.

Myth: You can't use cups with IUD
Truth: Safe to use with IUD. Break seal before removing to avoid suction on IUD strings.

Myth: Cups are uncomfortable
Truth: When properly inserted, you shouldn't feel it at all. Saalt Soft is specifically designed for comfort.

Myth: They're unsanitary
Truth: Medical-grade silicone is non-porous and sterilizable. More hygienic than tampons when properly cleaned.

Myth: Too messy for public restrooms
Truth: 12-hour capacity means you can usually empty at home. If needed, wipe with toilet paper and rinse later.

Why We Love Saalt (Beyond Wirecutter's Approval)

As wellness curators focused on sustainability, Saalt represents everything we value:

• Solves real problems: Waste, cost, health concerns
• Quality materials: Medical-grade silicone, built to last
• Thoughtful design: Comfort-focused, user-friendly
• Mission-driven: Gives back to menstrual health initiatives
• Proven results: Thousands of happy users, Wirecutter-approved

Make the Switch Today

Switching to sustainable period care is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste, save money, and take control of your menstrual health. Saalt makes it simple with their comfortable, reliable, Wirecutter-approved cup.

Shop Saalt - Wirecutter's Top Pick →

Exploring more sustainable wellness? Browse our complete Wirecutter collection or read about all of Wirecutter's wellness picks.