The short answer – how to wash period underwear

There’s basically 3 simple steps you need to take to wash and care for your period underwear.

  1. Rinse in cold water
  2. Handwash or machine wash on cold/delicate cycle
  3. Hang dry

The longer answer – how to wash period underwear

If you’re like me, always wanting a little more information, here’s how you take really good care of your leak proof underwear.

  1. Rinse in cold water – that means you hold them under running water until the water is clear. It doesn’t mean soak. This is actually not even necessary if you are planning to wash them soon.
  2. Handwash in lukewarm water (close to room temperature). This is great because it will keep the elasticity longer. You can also machine wash them in  cold cycles (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit or15 C – 27 C). Use a delicates bag to save the underwear even further. Don’t use fabric softener, it’ll mess with the absorbency and function.
  3. Hang dry (don’t iron). Reuse.
  4. Repeat!
how to wash period underwear

Smart tips

If you take care of your undies they usually perform at maximum capacity for about 40 washes. This translates to approximately 2 years. That doesn’t mean you have to through them out after that. They will just slowly loose function. When you feel they no longer serve their purpose, use them as cleaning cloths.

The mesh bag trick

Store your period underwear in a mesh bag and wash them when you’re done or out of underwear. That way you don’t have to worry about accidentally throwing them in the dryer. It’ll also save you time.

Rinse in the shower

Why rinse in the sink when you can just keep wearing your underwear in the shower.

Get the smell out

Washing them separately from your other clothes can help keeping reduce smell. If that doesn’t work, warm water and a bar of soap will do the trick. Try doing it in the shower and save even more time.

washing period proof underwear

Some dont’s – how to not wash period underwear

There are a couple of things that you should avoid doing to your period underwear if you don’t want them to loose their function too soon. I’ve mentioned most before, but short lists are always good for memory.

  1. Don’t wash in hot cycles in the machine.
  2. Don’t dry the in a machine (they will survive a few cycles but done repeatedly will reduce the performance).
  3. Avoid softeners and detergents, the chemicals and bleach will ruin the fabric and absorbency capacity.

Where to buy period underwear

Now you’re pumped full of information and ready to get your first pair of period underwear. If you want tips on finding the best ones, check out Period proof underwear for women →

Have a great day.