Both period pads and pants can easily be washed in any 40 degree normal laundry load (unless 30 degrees is recommended by the manufacturer).

There are some basic guidelines to follow:

• Don’t use fabric conditioner or softener (it can reduce fabric absorbency)

• Always do a pre-wash before using brand new items

• If you are rinsing out blood after use, use cold or warm water (hot water can set blood stains)

• Don’t dry on direct heat (i.e. radiator) as it can damage the PUL (thin but breathable plastic) liquid retaining layer

• Only tumble dry if advised by the manufacturer

No extra washing

You don’t necessarily have to do more laundry loads than you would normally.

To get around the fabric conditioner issue, put your pads or pants in a mesh laundry bag before washing, then run your machine cycle adding detergent only. This means you can easily find and pull out the mesh bag once the cycle is complete. Then you just need to add your conditioner and run a final rinse and spin programme to soften and fragrance the rest of your laundry load.

Dark clothes can transfer dyes onto lighter fabrics, so if you want to avoid visible stains or greying from washing with bigger mixed wash loads, then most pad brands come with a charcoal grey or coloured top layer which doesn’t tend to transfer colours as much as white.

PUL doesn’t transfer colours, so pretty prints can be washed with anything.

I wash pants inside out to get the best possible clean.

Wash at low temperatures

Modern detergents are so efficient there is no need to wash at any higher than 40 degrees. Your usual detergent is fine to use. A lot of period underwear manufacturers recommend washing at 30 degrees or a delicates wash (so check their labels and recommendations first).

Storing between washes

Reusable period pads and pants can be stored either rinsed or unrinsed in a PUL bag or dry tub before washing. Ideally you would want to wash pads and pants every 2 or 3 days, however they can survive for longer if hand rinsed.

The longer you leave between washing, the more pads or underwear you need. Their beauty is that you can wash and reuse them more than once during one cycle!

For further thoughts on the number of pads you might need, see my blog on how many reusable pads do I need?

Short version…

1.      After use rinse with cold to warm water and squeeze.

2.     Keep in a PUL bag, or dry tub until wash day.

3.     Ideally wash every 2-3 days.

4.     Wash at up to 40 degrees without adding fabric conditioner.

5.      Peg outside to dry or on an indoor airer

6.     Wear, rinse and repeat!

Suggestions

Hippynut mini or double bags can be great for storing used damp pads and Baba & Boo are a good size for used and damp pants until wash day.

For more straight forward practical tips, have a read of my further blogs:

• How to dry reusable period pads and pants

• How many reusable period pads do I need?

• Why I prefer reusable pads to period underwear

• How to store reusable period pads