First of all, don’t let the smell scare you away. Period underwear are a wonderful thing. Let’s understand what the smell is, why it appears, and how to get rid of it. Heck, you’ll even learn how to prevent it.

What is that smell?

Period blood does have a smell. It would be weird if it didn’t. But, that’s not the smell we’re worried about here. Bacteria odor is the enemy at the door. Because the period has to exit through the vagina it will encounter bacteria. The bacteria love the protein and fat in the menstrual blood.

Why do my period underwear smell?

So, now we know that the smell is caused by bacteria. That means the smell can be controlled and even prevented through good hygiene and by washing the underwear as soon as possible after using them. Don’t let the bacteria start the feast so to speak.

There’s a chance you’re not treating your period underwear the way you should. If you don’t have time to wash them for a day or to, make sure you rinse them in cold water after using them. That way there’s no blood for the bacteria.

How do I get rid of the smell in my period underwear?

Ok, so rinse in cold water, wash and change the underwear regularly. Check. But the damage is done. How do I get the smell out of my period underwear?

The best way to get rid of bad smells from your underwear is to treat them with vinegar or baking soda.

There are 2 ways to do this.

  1. Soak them over night (in vinegar or baking soda
  2. Add vinegar or baking soda to the wash. It will keep all the clothes fresh from odors.
why underwear smell

Can I prevent smelly underwear?

You can actually avoid bad smells altogether. The best way to prevent your underwear from starting to smell is to wash them right after using them.

Did you know that your smell variates over time. Things that influence your odor are what kind of food you eat, how you practice your hygiene, your sexual habits, what period products you use (and how you use them) and your overall vaginal health.

You probably guessed it right. The better you eat and take care of yourself and your hygiene, the better you smell.

why do my period underwear smell

Tips on how to take care of period underwear

You didn’t ask for it, but here are som tips for treating your period underwear right.

First of all:

  • Always wash them as soon as possible after use
  • If you can’t wash them right away, rinse in cold water
  • Use a mild soap and no fabric softener
  • Air dry if you can

For smells and stains:

  • Get rid of smells with vinegar or baking soda
  • Treat stains by soaking the underwear in cold water overnight (warm water set blood stains), then rinse.
  • Smell ya’ later.

And finally some tips on where to find great period underwear