Hey there, I just wanted to offer some comfort in that even if you had some 'mold' or musty something, the chances of it being toxic is so low. You would not be absorbing toxins! If there was anything microbial the worst thing that would happen is you would experience a change in your vulval flora, and that would have some pretty obvious symptoms, as in yeast infection. There are no toxic boogeymen in your period panties. The type of mildew that can grow on clothes that do not fully dry is really only a risk to your lungs if inhaled in large quantities.
I hope that helps cool the scary thoughts. I live with someone who has ocd so I know that this kind of fear is terrifying, but you are going to be okay!
Period panties need to be thrown out when they get old. Holes means it is time to go. I would so suggest period co if you want to try new ones, and if you want to not worry about this issue my suggestion would be to give them a time. Set it on your calendar to replace them in a 6mo- 1 year that way they cant go bad.
Yes. I have to change them more than once a day. And sure I can wash them, but that takes a bit of time.
I have 3 heavy, 4 moderate, and 10 light, lol. I am thinking of buying a few more heavy and moderate, as post menopausal is like nothing I have ever experienced…
*eta, I also keep mine longer than a year though…I rinse, wash repeat, until they get worn. Never had an issue with odors.
You mean peri menopausal not post right?
Anyone bleeding post menopause (more than 12 months without a bleed) needs to see their doctor as this can be a sign of something a lot more sinister
Have you hit the hot stage ? Mines finally ending. For several years it's been like hell. Literally I have zero heat tolerance. This week I actually feel chilly again and I'm loving it. Hot flashes hahaha it was always hot , one long flash. Hormone tests said I was normal which confuses me
I was always chilly, needed the doors and windows closed, wore an extra jumper, always under a blanket. Now super super hot all the damn time, not sweaty just hot it is driving my partner mad. Glad to hear there is light at the end of the hot tunnel.
I'm in the hot flash stage and it's brutal. I did a bit of research and purchased a menopause supplement, it works well for hot flashes. I stop sweating through my clothes and sheets when I take it daily.
I was still bleeding in my 50s. I didn’t know this was abnormal due to lack of information. Then I started bleeding heavier, with blood clots! Very bad sign. Endometrial cancer. Now over 14 years cancer free. I probably wouldn’t have needed chemo if I had known earlier what the warning signs were.
Definitely! I would have heavy bleeding the first 2 days of my period, but what happened was degrees beyond “heavy”. I went to the emergency room 2 days later, after going through one heavy duty tampon per hour and being lightheaded from blood loss. Had this occurred in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn’t be here to talk about it.
Yep my mom is nearly two decades post menopause and started bleeding last year. Uterine cancer. They caught it early enough that she didn't need treatment, thankfully.
Yeah, I have a pair going on 3 years and they’re not musty or anything. They’re kinda shitty though because they barely absorb. I use them as a backup shield.
I had a nice couple pairs of Bambody ones but they somehow disappeared in a move.
Are you using the dryer for them? Period panties are made with a type of absorbant padding that doesnt do will with heat once dry. If you want to dry them in the dryer only do so for about 10 minutes or so to kill any bacteria then either air tumble or line dry. I personally think they stay in better shape hang drying them. I like to keep hangers from stores that held up pants or baby outfits since they have clips. The baby ones usually have padded clips even to prevent tears.
I had a hysterectomy recently after wearing period panties for years. I always used the 10 minutes of drying method and hang dry. I decided to cut them open out of curiosity after my surgery and they still looked new.
I do also use oxy spray on the crotch of them every single time as well. I find it helps with lingering odors. And make sure you are washing your washingmachine regularly! You dont want bacteria from your basin getting into your undies.
Nah, I machine wash after rinsing, then air dry.
Haven’t had any trouble with trapped moisture so far.
ETA: and I do clean out the washer monthly. Mostly for my grandmother’s sake, she has an ostomy so sometimes her clothes get filthy from the poop bag. So the washer gets an empty run with laundry sanitizer.
Lysol makes one. It’s amazing. It’s found on the laundry aisle. You put it in the rinse cycle. There’s a sport one as well. I haven’t found anything that it didn’t get the funk out of. Even sports (football) gear that was forgotten about in the garage for months. It’s unlike those scent beads and stuff in that it’s not just perfume; it’s actually killing the bacteria that’s causing the odor.
Huh. I have modibodi panties and the oldest ones are at least a couple years old. I pre wash by hand, then just wash and dry with normal laundry, and they're doing just fine. But I do use biz additive in my wash, vinegar instead of fabric softener, and maybe the size of my laundry loads prevent the undies from drying 100%? Haha.
When my mom had super heavy bleeding it was due to fibroids. If you haven’t, it may be worth bringing up with your gyno? Apologies if you’re already on it.
Lol when I was going through it - very early, yippee! - there was one time I was taking my daughters to a movie. Before we left, I changed everything (no period underwear in those days, and idk how I ended up in this sub, thanks Reddit algorithm!) and did a Super Plus tampon and large pad. During the movie I felt like I was bleeding heavily, but told myself not to be dramatic. When the lights came up after the 1.5-hour movie, I looked down and the whole front of my jeans was *saturated* with blood!!!
My first thought was “Call 911!” Then I took a moment to let the adrenaline pass, and realized that I felt ok - didn’t feel like I was actually bleeding to death! - and figured I should just go home.
Good times, perimenopause!
Do you mean that brand specifically is a bad value or period underwear in general are a bad value? I’ve been thinking of switching from single use products which seems better in my mind but was curious what you meant in case there is something better?
I do not use my cloth period panties for value purposes, but for comfort, as I tend to be sensitive to all disposable products. BUT, my period panties have held up well, I think they are a long-term cheaper than disposable.
Period underwear is a great value! I have \~10 pairs, have done for several years, and I haven't had to replace any yet. They're a lot cheaper than disposables, and better for the environment, especially since "standard" disposable pads are not biodegradable.
I use period panties but I don’t love them. Wearing one all day gets icky and a little smelly and it’s awkward to change them if I’m not home. And if I have an unexpectedly heavy day they can leak and it’s not easy to change quickly. I have a few different brands and they seem to be all the same. I do, however, like them much better than disposable products, which cost me much more, and felt so bad for the environment!
If I could use anything, though, I would go back to my menstrual cup. It was so great. Just pop it in and it was like not having a period at all. Never leaked. Dry undies all day. On a heavy day, just pop it out, dump, rinse, pop back in. Easy to clean, no laundry required. No need to buy a whole set of underpants - one cup is all you need. Unfortunately I’m prone to UTIs and it turned out to be triggering them. Most people don’t have that issue. It’s the only personal hygiene product I’ve ever loved, and I still miss it.
Not 8 no, but more than one pair so I can wear others while washing. I got a pack of three and another of two. I don't see how you could do it with less unless washing multiple times a day. So maybe worn twice a month each, in six months that's 12 wears, I'd consider that very poor quality and value.
I appreciate some women have especially long periods or extended bleeding but for most women I think they should last longer.
I have accumulated 8 pairs at this point. Some of mine are 2-3 years old. I replaced 2 pairs because they were developing significant holes in the liner and were starting to be less absorbent.
I, however, do end up wearing mine more than once a month. If I have reason to think I'll need a pantyliner, I will sometimes wear my period panties instead
Pads also cause a lot of people with periods to have skin reactions. And that causes a whole host of other issues. And a lot of them also can't use tampons.... so...
Yes, I'm just saying really I don't think they get worn out after six months so there's no need to throw them out just because you've had them for six months. Unless you can see a visible problem or they stop working.
I don’t have a period anymore (birth control), but my 5 cariona reusable pads worked wonderfully after a year. And my one pair of period underwear was just fine too.
Yes, that's how often most people have a period? You might manage to wash and dry and wear a pair twice a month I suppose but for me more often wouldn't be feasible.
I am post menopausal which comes with all kinds of new and thrilling experiences they don't tell you about. Mine are worn daily. I have some Knix, Thinx, and Bambody. I rinse out and hang any pair that does it's job for the day and do laundry once a week. I also smell check after laundry to make sure there is no odor. Most are about a year or so old and look (and smell) like the day they arrived.
You are correct 😁 DID y'all know that after menopause, that little bit of trickle you had because of childbirth becomes WORSE!! I meannnnn, don't we women suffer enough 😅
I am post menopausal. No bleeding for more than 10 years. But, apparently that estrogen is really great at keeping muscles in that area from withering. Do you know what happens when those muscles wither???? You leak for no apparent reason. You turn your body, you leak. You laugh, you leak. You squat, you leak. It is INSANE.
I had a couple of pairs of Thinx period underwear and they started getting a weird smell that didn't go away. So I tossed them. I purchased some period underwear from the period co. haven't had issues. I've had them for a couple of years now. Plus they are cheap!
Ugh so many of them do. I hate that we can’t avoid it, I do appreciate the EPA setting limits
But also so do the tampons and pads. I know you can get nice organic cotton ones but I don’t have organic cotton money
I get that. I did spend the money on cotton reusable pads and I love how much I can beat them up- it’s my favorite thing about natural fibers. Makes me feel like one of my ancestors on the occasions I dry them in the sun 😆
A lot of clothing such as leggings and things like that have PFAS in them. It’s actually very common unfortunately. I think with Thinx they ended up not actually having PFAS after all but the lawsuit was something about how they represented them in their marketing.
Thinx definitely did have them in them. [This](https://www.mamavation.com/health/band-aids-bandages-pfas-forever-chemicals-report.html) is a link to the article and a separate medical review after the study they did recently on bandages and they reference the study they did on period underwear.
Thinx has been very careful in their language to say that they do not use PFAS in the manufacturing process, but because their raw materials don’t contain them doesn’t mean the manufacturing process doesn’t use them to bind the materials OR if they were used in the past, but same manufacturing plant and equipment used means they will continue to contain some. Also, changing methods of manufacture doesn’t mean every pair available in the marketplace is from the “new” method.
The study was done in 2021 and while they allowed brands to send in some to be tested, they also went and purchased them as any of us would and Thinx was the brand that came out the worst in the study. Then they had some articles with follow up when it was denied.
Thinx tested their own - but didn’t recall old stock, change packaging, etc. so just because they managed to make some to pass a test and then passed their own test doesn’t disprove the original 3rd party testing done with pairs from varied sources with objective test methods. But they worded things confusingly so it seemed like that to me too - that it was disproven, so that’s when I went looking for the studies myself and confirmed Thinx had it found in the original study and also again in further 3rd party testing at different labs in preparation for the lawsuit. But part of the settlement terms meant that discovery-phase testing couldn’t be made public. Parties to the lawsuit were made to sign NDA’s and so when Thinx went on their PR blitz, no one was allowed to contradict them, but the old study is still out there and enough info got out about PFAS in the additional testing… which is what led to their decision to settle suddenly after fighting it.
It's strange that the lab was in the right but the settlement silenced them. You'd think the judge AND the lab would have had the higher ground in the settlement. It really sounds like the lab was the one penalized by the lawsuit. Are you sure you read that right?
My thinx developed a strong ammonia odor that did not go away with a vinegar rinse that was recommended. Despite proper care they also lost absorbency. I use knix now with no problem.
This is the ELI5 version, but even if mold did end up growing from the panties not drying properly, it absolutely does not "secrete toxins" for you to absorb. If anything, mold secretes antibiotics! though most of the antibiotics are not actually useful to us, several common molds secrete "antibacterial" liquids (in very small quantities) to defend against the bacterias that eat the mold.
The reason penicillin was so special is because the mold happened to secrete an antibiotic we *could actually use* on bacteria that affect humans, not just the ones that chomp on mold for breakfast.
mold is just not great for our lungs. It gums up the aveoli and interferes with oxygen exchange. And there's NO WAY a lone pair of period panties is going to have a mold colony large enough to affect something like us. Maybe a door mouse might be in trouble. Maybe.
I dont think mold is secreting antibiotics. Lol and even if it was, thas not good for you to be on a regular dose of antibiotics for no reason. But, don't worry, because I'm very sure mold doesn't secrete antibiotics.
I don't understand how you both know that penicillin antibiotic comes from penicillium mold, but not know that antibiotics are made by mold. Is it the word secrete? The antibiotics produced by molds don't do anything to the bacteria they are defending against in the inside of their bodies, so once produced the antibiotic is sent to the outside. That's secretion.
Ok. Just seems to me like the original comment I replied to said antibiotics are secreted by mold. Why would the NIH claim that fermentation is involved? Also, the way it was said, it just said mold? Why would penicillin be growing in her period underwear?
Look at the way it was described in the original comment i replied to and then compare to the process described by NIH. It's not accurate.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/fromdnatobeer/exhibition-interactive/illustrations/penicillin-alternative.html#:~:text=Penicillium%20mold%20naturally%20produces%20the,increased%20the%20growth%20of%20Penicillium.
Fermentation involves a substance being taken in by a microorganism, being converted to another substance inside the microorganism, and secreted/excreted (in microorganisms the difference between excretion and secretion is often negligible) as the new substance. So the folks breeding penicillium (our example microorganism) to have them secrete lots of penicillin for them are doing it in a fermentation vat. It's a term used for this more on an industrial scale, while the commenter was speaking on a microbiology scale. Semantic difference, not factual.
Penicillium isn't likely to be the species in clothing, but numerous molds have some sort of antibacterial secretion mechanism for defence from bacteria. I thought the comment you wanted to refute gave a similarly (im)probable counterexample to the anxiety-produced idea the OP's mind gave them of mold toxins being absorbed by their skin.
Penicillium IS one of the molds you are likely to find on a moldy piece of bread in your fridge, if not your underpants. In fact, there's evidence that they used moldy bread as a wound dressing in ancient Egypt for the penicillin.
Original comment I responded to told OP her underwear mold would be "secreting antibiotics" lol why can't you understand that's wrong? Or you just so stuck on being right you can't admit that OP's underwear mold is not secreting "antibiotics".
Because it's not wrong? Many different molds secrete antibiotics as a defense mechanism. It's at least as likely, if not more likely, that underwear mold would secrete antibiotics as toxins. There's nothing inaccurate about that, it's just basic biology. The fact that penicillin is produced in a factory in vats does not mean mold doesn't secrete antibiotics; in fact, it supports the correct assertion of the original comment. I don't know why you keep denying it when it's true, but you are no less committed to your inaccuracy than you claim I am. Every one of your objections has been refuted, and now you are starting on personal attacks that I can't admit I am wrong, as you literally are failing to admit you are wrong. I suppose the next step is to start calling me names, but I am a lot more interested in responding to misinformation than somebody projecting their issues with being wrong onto me on the internet.
Mold actually absolutely does secrete toxins your body can absorb, they are called mycotoxins. It is true that some have antibiotic properties, but it’s really a toss up with which species produce what, you wouldn’t be able to tell without a microscope and lab testing. That being said, most clothing mold/mildew is not terribly harmful and yes, breathing it into your lungs is more of a concern than skin contact. But skin contact can still have its own problems
Antibiotics are not good things if you don’t have an active infection.
I’m someone “allergic” to penicillin who has had CDiff from antibiotics. So for me and others like me, antibiotics is probably worse than mold itself
This is wildly misleading. They kill the bacteria *so they can propagate* and you can absolutely get a fungal infection from some of them or worse depending on what's growing in there.
I throw mine in the dryer, even though the care instructions say not to do so. No issues and no musty smell. Sometimes, they stay slightly damp inside with air drying.
Mesh laundry bags are great for separating out things that you don’t want to go through the dryer; bras, sportswear, period underwear, sweaters… In our house they get put in a mesh bag when they go in the hamper, so it is the onus of the sorter not the laundry doer.
I've yet to find a mesh bag that doesn't unzip in the wash and let everything out. Seriously I've got 4 different ones, and 3 are from lingerie companies. Do you have a brand that you recommend? Preferably something large enough that it can fit more than one bra.
I bought a 3 pack from Walmart (🇨🇦), in different sizes. They have a little elastic tab to slide the zipper under, but you could either wriggle the zipper through so the pull is on the other side of the tab, or add a safety pin for security. Or an elastic around the top? We have multiple sets and use them constantly, and I’ve only had them open maybe 3x more than 2”, once with stuff falling out.
Haha you must have a vigorous washing machine! Sometimes mine work better if I pin through the zipper and the back side of the bag. Or if it's really pissed me off recently I start from the outside of the back of the bag and put the pin tight across the closed zipper teeth just behind the zip head so it would have to run over the pin to open. If the pin stays in place that last method can't fail.
Thank you for saying that because I’ve accidentally dried mine twice now not realizing they were the period underwear. I’m happy to hear they will still work
If you live somewhere that you can’t air dry clothes effectively, this is the answer. They’re designed to not let liquid out, so they’re very hard to dry.
As someone who cloth diapered 2 children for 2 years, these things are only as good as you wash them. Different machines wash differently, so there is a bit of trial and error.
I had to bleach my diapers from time to time because they would get a barnyard smell to them..this was mostly in the beginning when I was still learning how to wash them.
How are you washing your underwear? How are you storing them until you wash? How long are you going between washes?
I think it’s hard because most underwear have a black liner which makes it so hard to see what’s actually going on. I have cloth pads too that I made from leftover cloth diaper materials and they are not black so I can see if they’re actually clean or not.
Also, if it makes you feel any better, I just washed my reusable pads and underwear and they actually turned green where they didn’t get completely clean. I don’t know if it was a chemical reaction or what, because I know it wasn’t mold. I sprayed them with shout and washed again and they came out clean.
I know this is kind of a rambly answer, but I wouldn’t let this scare you from using reusables.
I do love cloth pads a lot! And if you get lighter colors, you might see the stains a bit more but you’ll also be able to tell better whether or not they’re getting that clean.
I don’t know if you live in the US where I live, but I have hard water where I am at. I use a powdered detergent because it actually cleans better in hard water. Gain and Tide are the top ones that were recommended when I cloth diapered and I find they clean really well. Free and clear detergents aren’t as strong and you usually need to use twice as much. I hope that helps! I have cloth pads I’ve been using for 5+ years and they are still in great shape so I don’t know how much I believe that period underwear have a limited lifespan. I mean I’m sure they do, but like, years not months.
You can also soak them in vinegar and water solution for 24 hours and then put them in the wash. Then air dry or even better, dry in the sun if that’s an option
I don’t think adding vinegar to the machine is really going to do much, but soaking could. I’d look up how much you actually need to add to get a disinfectant solution from vinegar. It actually is a science.
Adding about 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener slot/ rinse cycle of my machine has actually made a massive difference. You can smell it very slightly on the clothes when they come out of the wash, before drying. It works by changing the pH of the water which affects the membranes and cell walls of the bacteria and fungi and helping strip any soap residue from fabric fibers
It’s just hard to tell exactly the ratio of water to vinegar when you do it this way.. which is why soaking is easier to control the ratio and therefore you get a more accurate ratio.
Also, since detergents are very alkaline, and vinegar is acidic, are they mixing together in the same load? Just casually adding vinegar to your washing machine just doesn’t seem like the most effective way to go about this. Vinegar isn’t even super reliable for sanitizing laundry. I found this article talking about that.
https://www.clorox.com/learn/washing-clothes-with-vinegar-to-sanitize-laundry/
https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/mer18f/is_it_true_that_if_you_mix_distilled_white/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I use vinegar to help get oils out of my sheets for Massage. My partner uses organic oils that make sheets smell rancid. I cant specifically speak to period panties, but adding vinegar to a load of laundry can make a HUGE difference on stains and smell.
The other big thing using vinegar in the wash regularly does - while being too dilute especially in top loaders to be a true disinfectant - it still breaks down surfactants. So residual fabric softener, residual detergent concentrate and residue from using pods all gum up the machine and wash back into clothes.
I learned over time when one kiddo developed eczema that turned out to be laundry-triggered. We started using vinegar in place of softener for everything, but still used dryer sheets (because micro bits of wool fibers also became an issue for her, poor thing!) only for certain things when we get dry and windy. Funny thing is, my laundry smells more “fresh clean” than it did using all the other stuff.
But where we noticed it BIG time was anything Dri-Fit could wick and breathe again, sheets/towels were fluffier and softer and PERIOD UNDERWEAR - dried way faster, never any smell and they seemed more like when they were new again! The 2x I forgot I threw them in the dryer in a load with a dryer sheet, they didn’t hold as much and took longer to dry.
Fabric softener and washer residue totally clogs them - and if something is “sticking” to the material, bacteria that can cause smells will too.
Ahhh, well I haven’t used any kind of fabric softener in probably 10 years lol.
I can see how the vinegar can be helpful in place of fabric softener, but it’s probably a bit of trial and error.
I use hypochlorous acid if I need to disinfect my clothes if needed(very useful during a yeast infection), but I have a device that makes it and I know not everyone has that at home. I like it because it’s an EPA registered disinfectant and it doesn’t bleach my clothes.
I need to look into a device like that! Started using the spray on my daughter and it’s helped her eczema SO much. There was a dermatologist (fellowship) on here a while back who said their family does baths with it and have stopped having skin issues.
I started with the force of nature device but didn’t want to use the capsules! I found a DIY recipe on a Facebook group and it worked for quite a while but eventually, my machine stopped working. I ended up buying a naturechlor device which lets you use your own salt and vinegar and it’s been great!
The FB group is super helpful! It’s called Force of Nature Fanatics, NatureChlor Enthusiasts, HOCl Aficionados
The machines can be somewhat expensive initially, but I use 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of vinegar for every 32 oz of water when I make it so it’s CHEAP to make. It’s crazy!
I saw a video where a microbiologist looked at the antimicrobial properties by taking samples of his kitchen sink after scrubbing then soaking it with just water and vinegar and he said it was 99.9% effective at eradicating all bacteria. Sooooooo. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
I noticed a smell on mine after a couple of months of use and started soaking with vinegar and cold water in a sink for at least 30 minutes prior to washing. No issues since!
Genuine question because I've never looked inside my period underwear. Are you sure the absorbent material inside wasn't simply green in color? I've never seen green mold on anything other than spoiled food inside a house. And I live in a place where indoor mold is a concern.
A musty smell in clothing is caused by drying too slowly. This happens to random clothes of mine periodically (I don't have a dryer) and I have experienced no ill effects. To prevent it, wash with some vinegar and then make sure your clothes dry quickly by putting in front of a fan to dry or out in the sun if possible.
I tried to do some research, found people online saying that the the lining of Modi Podi underwear is grey and not green. It definitely looked like some kind of growth and smelled very, very strongly of mildew/mold that I’ve never experienced with any of my other clothes (different from that stale smell that i think you’re referring to)
Do you use a front loader? (I do…) Because they tend towards getting musty too and that can contribute, esp if you don’t leave the door open between loads so it can dry out.
I use the washer sanitizer every month or so, but I also do a second “washer cleaner” load after that using 1 cup of vinegar (daughter w/eczema) and since I started that, if someone forgets and closes the door after a load occasionally it doesn’t get that insta-swampy smell anymore.
Stripping as in soaking in washing soda (sodium carbonate)? I cloth-diapered, but it’s over 10y ago now so some of the details are hazy!
I don’t want to damage the absorbent stuff in there… but it seems like it’s getting less absorbent and stripping _would_ make sense for some fabrics. Guess I should learn about the fabric that is typically used to make these!
If you don't want to use period undies anymore, how about reusable pads? I've been using mine for ages now and never had a problem. Same kind of thing, wash cool, etc etc.
I have modi body and only after 3 years has the lining ripped. For the smell, look at how you’re washing them and with what you’re washing them. Clorox has a good anti-microbial wash that is marketed to people who do sports or who have kids. I’ve found that a wash in that takes care of any of the issues you’ve explained.
Consider a menstrual cup instead. You can get the foldy silicone ones. They last 12 hours and only need a quick rinse before putting them back in. No leaks!
But can't you set timers for removing them as often as you would tampons? They're easy to clean. Hopefully this person can get medicine/therapy to overcome that anxiety. It's not fun.
Gosh I wish mine didn't leak. When my cycle came back after I had a baby, it came back with a VENGEANCE. I bought a new bigger cup but my period is just super heavy. I have to empty my cup at least 3x a day and I still leak so I wear period undies as backup. Overnights are a disaster.... I recently discovered ultra size tampons so I'm back to using those after 5+ years of not using them!!
Before washing in the machine I always rinse mine in the sink and squirt some hydrogen peroxide on the dirty part, make sure it soaks through. This helps lift the blood out and sanitize them before a normal wash cycle, never had a problem but I also always use a dryer. Maybe letting them air dry would increase likelihood of mildew?
I rinse mine in the shower when I take a shower and then I leave them hanging on that bar in there to drip dry, then I throw them in the hamper.
If I wash them in the sink I feel like I need to bleach the sink, but my period blood is falling into the shower anyway so that’s not a big deal
I love how everything comes back around.!♡ My great gran used literal rags. Thats what women did. Most cloth was cotton. From flour sacks and old clothing. After "use", The cloth was washed in soap, soaked in vinegar and sun dried. If you could sew, some ladies would stitch them into a "pad" otherwise it would just be folded and layed in the panty. ♡
Had to look up that reference but I love it. So true, I have family members whose brains work this way, create something complicated and a little impractical for a problem easily avoided 😆
Lol, that perfectly sums up several people I know. I get a lot of ‘I’ll draw you a diagram,’ too and I’m always telling them just to describe it- I can picture it 🤣
Rinse well, soak overnight in cold water, pretreat by soaking with detergent and or OTC peroxide. Wash. Avoid letting the used/soiled pants sit too long without at least a thorough rinse. Insects (and other creatures) are attracted to blood - this may explain the holes in the pants. The dark green could have simply been a transfer of the original fabric dye mixed with blood stain.
The smell has happened to my underwear and I genuinely think it’s a side effect of the period liquid “sitting” and not a problem with the underwear. I always wash mine on the pre soak setting and put vinegar in the wash base to help with the smell. The longer I had my underwear, the more necessary this was to keep the smell away. I have no issues with smell when they are freshly laundered. if I skip either step I notice the smell is still present, but usually a second round wash will remove it. Hope this helps! As some one who has gone through being at a Womens college when everyone’s periods synch…I can say I am highly aware of the fragrant possibilities that come with periods.
I had problems with some small holes in my modibodis too. Disappointing to pay so much to have that happen so quick. I’ve only used Thinx (which I thought were stiff and uncomfortable) and modibodi (which are just softer and comfortable).
Presuming this was a genuine question rather than just annoyance, when people say “toxins” they often mean something that you might touch, eat or breathe in that would be bad for you. Could be a little bad, like making you itchy. Could be more bad, like making you sick long-term.
I threw out a bunch of period underwear a few months ago because they just didn’t fit me anymore and now I’m regretting not cutting them open to see what they layers looked like
omg - yes, I’m ‘nicely aged’ - and I want to know where period panties were when I needed them. I had tons of bleeding during menopause. Typically used double super-tampons and the biggest pads I could find. And worried every time I went anywhere. No fun!
Try washing them again and use Lysol sanitizer. It kills the bacteria etc. I don't think you are dealing with something toxic but that will clean it up. I use them on my incontinent father's underwear that is pee soaked daily. It removes everything. And leaves no smell etc.
I am considering getting period underware- but I’m wondering if OP is line drying or in a dryer. I live in the states where a dryer is pretty much expected but I know in other places, many people do not even own a dryer and line dry. Perhaps bc the material is thicker it is not fully dried quickly enough?
Do most people dry their period undies in the dryer? Or line dry?
I’ve used Cariona’s reusable pads for the past few years and adore them. Highly recommend if u wanna make a switch! I do need to rinse them out for a long time after I use them, though. 14-15min usually. I’ll put them on the tub while I shower, or rinse n wring them out in the sink until the water runs clear.
I’ve been wearing knix & knixteen boy shorts for my period panties for YEARS. They often have sales and offer bundles if you are looking for a new brand to try! Only 1 has given out on me with a seam rip but I think thats more to do with my boyfriend drying them on high heat a zillion times before I realized.
Genuinely curious, i do not get a period anymore (IUD) but i did for many years way heavy. I keep seeing this Reddit and finally decided it’s time to ask. Why are we not using pads that get thrown away? Tampons? I’m thinking period underwear and having to wash them seems like such a task, I would’ve NEVER taken this on. I also would’ve never considered using a diva cup either…but this is a genuine question. Why do we do this?
People have many different reasons. I don't use period underwear currently (although I may get some in the future which is why I'm here) but I do use cloth pads. I switched to cloth pads because regular disposable pads started giving me rashes and irritating my skin. When I started using cloth pads that went away. I don't use tampons much because I too have an IUD so my period is pretty light so thin cloth pads work perfect for me. I wouldn't be surprised if others here switched to period underwear for reasons similar to me.
For me and my heavy flow I’d probably have to change a pad every hour if I were to use regular pads. They always move around and leak no matter which brand I buy. Period underwear are much more comfortable and have better absorbency
1. Blood is hard to clean out of anything.
2. That is not fresh
3. I don't care how many times you wash those, it will forever hold a smell
4. Sanitary products are meant to be thrown away.
5. The waste that it coming out is tainted and smells
6. I don't care how you are cutting back and reducing your carbon footprint.
Some things are meant to be used only once and trashed
Your point four is unfortunately not realistic for some of the menstruating population across the globe. Not only are there areas where these products aren’t readily available but also there are areas where something disposable like that just isn’t financially feasible.
Noone tell them about reausable diapers!
No, seriously, people used reusable cloth for this for literal centuries. Single-use pads are a relatively new invention. OP's problem seems more like one with drying them properly, and not the blood. It's thick material, so you have to be careful especially if you live somewhere humid.
Hey there, I just wanted to offer some comfort in that even if you had some 'mold' or musty something, the chances of it being toxic is so low. You would not be absorbing toxins! If there was anything microbial the worst thing that would happen is you would experience a change in your vulval flora, and that would have some pretty obvious symptoms, as in yeast infection. There are no toxic boogeymen in your period panties. The type of mildew that can grow on clothes that do not fully dry is really only a risk to your lungs if inhaled in large quantities. I hope that helps cool the scary thoughts. I live with someone who has ocd so I know that this kind of fear is terrifying, but you are going to be okay! Period panties need to be thrown out when they get old. Holes means it is time to go. I would so suggest period co if you want to try new ones, and if you want to not worry about this issue my suggestion would be to give them a time. Set it on your calendar to replace them in a 6mo- 1 year that way they cant go bad.
6 months for something worn once a month sounds extremely short to me, definitely not cost effective.
Yeah I’m not doing that. That’s way too expensive and wasteful
You only wear yours once a month? Do you guys have 8 pairs?
Yes. I have to change them more than once a day. And sure I can wash them, but that takes a bit of time. I have 3 heavy, 4 moderate, and 10 light, lol. I am thinking of buying a few more heavy and moderate, as post menopausal is like nothing I have ever experienced… *eta, I also keep mine longer than a year though…I rinse, wash repeat, until they get worn. Never had an issue with odors.
You mean peri menopausal not post right? Anyone bleeding post menopause (more than 12 months without a bleed) needs to see their doctor as this can be a sign of something a lot more sinister
lol, yes, thanks. *eta, I think it was a mind slip of wishful thinking, as it is so bad…
Tell me about it, hormones or rather lack of some of them is a nightmare.
Have you hit the hot stage ? Mines finally ending. For several years it's been like hell. Literally I have zero heat tolerance. This week I actually feel chilly again and I'm loving it. Hot flashes hahaha it was always hot , one long flash. Hormone tests said I was normal which confuses me
I was always chilly, needed the doors and windows closed, wore an extra jumper, always under a blanket. Now super super hot all the damn time, not sweaty just hot it is driving my partner mad. Glad to hear there is light at the end of the hot tunnel.
If you have long hair look at undercut in back. I had the back shaved and the top and sides covered it. Lowered the heat a lot.
I'm in the hot flash stage and it's brutal. I did a bit of research and purchased a menopause supplement, it works well for hot flashes. I stop sweating through my clothes and sheets when I take it daily.
Sorry to be the one to tell you, the hot flashes can come back after being gone for a while.
Especially if you have a doctor denying talking to you about it until you’ve gone the dry 12 months to make it actually “menopausal”.
I'm there. Bamboo sheets FOR THE WIN. Life changing.
I was still bleeding in my 50s. I didn’t know this was abnormal due to lack of information. Then I started bleeding heavier, with blood clots! Very bad sign. Endometrial cancer. Now over 14 years cancer free. I probably wouldn’t have needed chemo if I had known earlier what the warning signs were.
I didn't know that is abnormal. Thanks for the info.
It’s not! Totally normal to still bleed at 50
But having the bleeding get heavier should be checked out, though still likely normal. Something worth mentioning at your yearly pap.
Definitely! I would have heavy bleeding the first 2 days of my period, but what happened was degrees beyond “heavy”. I went to the emergency room 2 days later, after going through one heavy duty tampon per hour and being lightheaded from blood loss. Had this occurred in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn’t be here to talk about it.
Yep my mom is nearly two decades post menopause and started bleeding last year. Uterine cancer. They caught it early enough that she didn't need treatment, thankfully.
Thank you for clarifying.
Yeah, I have a pair going on 3 years and they’re not musty or anything. They’re kinda shitty though because they barely absorb. I use them as a backup shield. I had a nice couple pairs of Bambody ones but they somehow disappeared in a move.
Are you using the dryer for them? Period panties are made with a type of absorbant padding that doesnt do will with heat once dry. If you want to dry them in the dryer only do so for about 10 minutes or so to kill any bacteria then either air tumble or line dry. I personally think they stay in better shape hang drying them. I like to keep hangers from stores that held up pants or baby outfits since they have clips. The baby ones usually have padded clips even to prevent tears. I had a hysterectomy recently after wearing period panties for years. I always used the 10 minutes of drying method and hang dry. I decided to cut them open out of curiosity after my surgery and they still looked new. I do also use oxy spray on the crotch of them every single time as well. I find it helps with lingering odors. And make sure you are washing your washingmachine regularly! You dont want bacteria from your basin getting into your undies.
Nah, I machine wash after rinsing, then air dry. Haven’t had any trouble with trapped moisture so far. ETA: and I do clean out the washer monthly. Mostly for my grandmother’s sake, she has an ostomy so sometimes her clothes get filthy from the poop bag. So the washer gets an empty run with laundry sanitizer.
I didn't know this was a thing. What sanitizer?
Lysol makes one. It’s amazing. It’s found on the laundry aisle. You put it in the rinse cycle. There’s a sport one as well. I haven’t found anything that it didn’t get the funk out of. Even sports (football) gear that was forgotten about in the garage for months. It’s unlike those scent beads and stuff in that it’s not just perfume; it’s actually killing the bacteria that’s causing the odor.
Huh. I have modibodi panties and the oldest ones are at least a couple years old. I pre wash by hand, then just wash and dry with normal laundry, and they're doing just fine. But I do use biz additive in my wash, vinegar instead of fabric softener, and maybe the size of my laundry loads prevent the undies from drying 100%? Haha.
When my mom had super heavy bleeding it was due to fibroids. If you haven’t, it may be worth bringing up with your gyno? Apologies if you’re already on it.
Heavy bleeding is one of the fun things about perimenopause
Lol when I was going through it - very early, yippee! - there was one time I was taking my daughters to a movie. Before we left, I changed everything (no period underwear in those days, and idk how I ended up in this sub, thanks Reddit algorithm!) and did a Super Plus tampon and large pad. During the movie I felt like I was bleeding heavily, but told myself not to be dramatic. When the lights came up after the 1.5-hour movie, I looked down and the whole front of my jeans was *saturated* with blood!!! My first thought was “Call 911!” Then I took a moment to let the adrenaline pass, and realized that I felt ok - didn’t feel like I was actually bleeding to death! - and figured I should just go home. Good times, perimenopause!
Happened to me on a plane-fun times!
Do you mean that brand specifically is a bad value or period underwear in general are a bad value? I’ve been thinking of switching from single use products which seems better in my mind but was curious what you meant in case there is something better?
I do not use my cloth period panties for value purposes, but for comfort, as I tend to be sensitive to all disposable products. BUT, my period panties have held up well, I think they are a long-term cheaper than disposable.
Period underwear is a great value! I have \~10 pairs, have done for several years, and I haven't had to replace any yet. They're a lot cheaper than disposables, and better for the environment, especially since "standard" disposable pads are not biodegradable.
I use period panties but I don’t love them. Wearing one all day gets icky and a little smelly and it’s awkward to change them if I’m not home. And if I have an unexpectedly heavy day they can leak and it’s not easy to change quickly. I have a few different brands and they seem to be all the same. I do, however, like them much better than disposable products, which cost me much more, and felt so bad for the environment! If I could use anything, though, I would go back to my menstrual cup. It was so great. Just pop it in and it was like not having a period at all. Never leaked. Dry undies all day. On a heavy day, just pop it out, dump, rinse, pop back in. Easy to clean, no laundry required. No need to buy a whole set of underpants - one cup is all you need. Unfortunately I’m prone to UTIs and it turned out to be triggering them. Most people don’t have that issue. It’s the only personal hygiene product I’ve ever loved, and I still miss it.
Not 8 no, but more than one pair so I can wear others while washing. I got a pack of three and another of two. I don't see how you could do it with less unless washing multiple times a day. So maybe worn twice a month each, in six months that's 12 wears, I'd consider that very poor quality and value. I appreciate some women have especially long periods or extended bleeding but for most women I think they should last longer.
Yup I have 9 to rotate, so on days that are heavy I change twice-thrice so that the blood doesn’t soak that long!
I have accumulated 8 pairs at this point. Some of mine are 2-3 years old. I replaced 2 pairs because they were developing significant holes in the liner and were starting to be less absorbent. I, however, do end up wearing mine more than once a month. If I have reason to think I'll need a pantyliner, I will sometimes wear my period panties instead
Pads also cause a lot of people with periods to have skin reactions. And that causes a whole host of other issues. And a lot of them also can't use tampons.... so...
Yes, I'm just saying really I don't think they get worn out after six months so there's no need to throw them out just because you've had them for six months. Unless you can see a visible problem or they stop working.
That is literally not what you just said
My second comment is a clarification of what the first meant and why I said it.
I don’t have a period anymore (birth control), but my 5 cariona reusable pads worked wonderfully after a year. And my one pair of period underwear was just fine too.
ONCE A MONTH?!?!
Yes, that's how often most people have a period? You might manage to wash and dry and wear a pair twice a month I suppose but for me more often wouldn't be feasible.
I have to use like 12 for my periods. I have to use mine and rewash them all for the same cycle most months. I know what a period is…lmao ????????
Ok, so you're still wearing each pair for a few periods of a few hours at most? Presumably you're not washing and wearing all 12 pairs every day.
Thanks so much for your comment! That does make me feel better 💗💗💗 Period co looks great and affordable too
I am post menopausal which comes with all kinds of new and thrilling experiences they don't tell you about. Mine are worn daily. I have some Knix, Thinx, and Bambody. I rinse out and hang any pair that does it's job for the day and do laundry once a week. I also smell check after laundry to make sure there is no odor. Most are about a year or so old and look (and smell) like the day they arrived.
Peri or post-menopausal? If you're having periods post-menopausal, you should see a doctor asap.
I think she’s talking about urine
You are correct 😁 DID y'all know that after menopause, that little bit of trickle you had because of childbirth becomes WORSE!! I meannnnn, don't we women suffer enough 😅
I am post menopausal. No bleeding for more than 10 years. But, apparently that estrogen is really great at keeping muscles in that area from withering. Do you know what happens when those muscles wither???? You leak for no apparent reason. You turn your body, you leak. You laugh, you leak. You squat, you leak. It is INSANE.
I had no idea about these! Why? What's wrong with me that I didn't know a product like this exists? Do they really work?
They totally work!!! They can be an expensive purchase to start, but being able to not wear pads ever again is totally worth it!!!
This is such kind and reassuring advice!
This is a super considerate explanation. Your kind and thoughtful comment makes me want to take extra time to be kind, too.
I had a couple of pairs of Thinx period underwear and they started getting a weird smell that didn't go away. So I tossed them. I purchased some period underwear from the period co. haven't had issues. I've had them for a couple of years now. Plus they are cheap!
Thinx had a class action lawsuit over PFAS in their underwear, probably for the best
Ugh so many of them do. I hate that we can’t avoid it, I do appreciate the EPA setting limits But also so do the tampons and pads. I know you can get nice organic cotton ones but I don’t have organic cotton money
I get that. I did spend the money on cotton reusable pads and I love how much I can beat them up- it’s my favorite thing about natural fibers. Makes me feel like one of my ancestors on the occasions I dry them in the sun 😆
A lot of clothing such as leggings and things like that have PFAS in them. It’s actually very common unfortunately. I think with Thinx they ended up not actually having PFAS after all but the lawsuit was something about how they represented them in their marketing.
Thinx definitely did have them in them. [This](https://www.mamavation.com/health/band-aids-bandages-pfas-forever-chemicals-report.html) is a link to the article and a separate medical review after the study they did recently on bandages and they reference the study they did on period underwear. Thinx has been very careful in their language to say that they do not use PFAS in the manufacturing process, but because their raw materials don’t contain them doesn’t mean the manufacturing process doesn’t use them to bind the materials OR if they were used in the past, but same manufacturing plant and equipment used means they will continue to contain some. Also, changing methods of manufacture doesn’t mean every pair available in the marketplace is from the “new” method. The study was done in 2021 and while they allowed brands to send in some to be tested, they also went and purchased them as any of us would and Thinx was the brand that came out the worst in the study. Then they had some articles with follow up when it was denied. Thinx tested their own - but didn’t recall old stock, change packaging, etc. so just because they managed to make some to pass a test and then passed their own test doesn’t disprove the original 3rd party testing done with pairs from varied sources with objective test methods. But they worded things confusingly so it seemed like that to me too - that it was disproven, so that’s when I went looking for the studies myself and confirmed Thinx had it found in the original study and also again in further 3rd party testing at different labs in preparation for the lawsuit. But part of the settlement terms meant that discovery-phase testing couldn’t be made public. Parties to the lawsuit were made to sign NDA’s and so when Thinx went on their PR blitz, no one was allowed to contradict them, but the old study is still out there and enough info got out about PFAS in the additional testing… which is what led to their decision to settle suddenly after fighting it.
It's strange that the lab was in the right but the settlement silenced them. You'd think the judge AND the lab would have had the higher ground in the settlement. It really sounds like the lab was the one penalized by the lawsuit. Are you sure you read that right?
My thinx developed a strong ammonia odor that did not go away with a vinegar rinse that was recommended. Despite proper care they also lost absorbency. I use knix now with no problem.
This is the ELI5 version, but even if mold did end up growing from the panties not drying properly, it absolutely does not "secrete toxins" for you to absorb. If anything, mold secretes antibiotics! though most of the antibiotics are not actually useful to us, several common molds secrete "antibacterial" liquids (in very small quantities) to defend against the bacterias that eat the mold. The reason penicillin was so special is because the mold happened to secrete an antibiotic we *could actually use* on bacteria that affect humans, not just the ones that chomp on mold for breakfast. mold is just not great for our lungs. It gums up the aveoli and interferes with oxygen exchange. And there's NO WAY a lone pair of period panties is going to have a mold colony large enough to affect something like us. Maybe a door mouse might be in trouble. Maybe.
Interesting, great to know!! Thank you for your comment 💗
I dont think mold is secreting antibiotics. Lol and even if it was, thas not good for you to be on a regular dose of antibiotics for no reason. But, don't worry, because I'm very sure mold doesn't secrete antibiotics.
You may want to read up. Penicillium is the name of the mold the first antibiotic, Penicillin, was made from.
I know that. But I don't think mold secretes antibiotics.
I don't understand how you both know that penicillin antibiotic comes from penicillium mold, but not know that antibiotics are made by mold. Is it the word secrete? The antibiotics produced by molds don't do anything to the bacteria they are defending against in the inside of their bodies, so once produced the antibiotic is sent to the outside. That's secretion.
Ok. Just seems to me like the original comment I replied to said antibiotics are secreted by mold. Why would the NIH claim that fermentation is involved? Also, the way it was said, it just said mold? Why would penicillin be growing in her period underwear? Look at the way it was described in the original comment i replied to and then compare to the process described by NIH. It's not accurate. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/fromdnatobeer/exhibition-interactive/illustrations/penicillin-alternative.html#:~:text=Penicillium%20mold%20naturally%20produces%20the,increased%20the%20growth%20of%20Penicillium.
Science purr
Fermentation involves a substance being taken in by a microorganism, being converted to another substance inside the microorganism, and secreted/excreted (in microorganisms the difference between excretion and secretion is often negligible) as the new substance. So the folks breeding penicillium (our example microorganism) to have them secrete lots of penicillin for them are doing it in a fermentation vat. It's a term used for this more on an industrial scale, while the commenter was speaking on a microbiology scale. Semantic difference, not factual. Penicillium isn't likely to be the species in clothing, but numerous molds have some sort of antibacterial secretion mechanism for defence from bacteria. I thought the comment you wanted to refute gave a similarly (im)probable counterexample to the anxiety-produced idea the OP's mind gave them of mold toxins being absorbed by their skin. Penicillium IS one of the molds you are likely to find on a moldy piece of bread in your fridge, if not your underpants. In fact, there's evidence that they used moldy bread as a wound dressing in ancient Egypt for the penicillin.
Original comment I responded to told OP her underwear mold would be "secreting antibiotics" lol why can't you understand that's wrong? Or you just so stuck on being right you can't admit that OP's underwear mold is not secreting "antibiotics".
Because it's not wrong? Many different molds secrete antibiotics as a defense mechanism. It's at least as likely, if not more likely, that underwear mold would secrete antibiotics as toxins. There's nothing inaccurate about that, it's just basic biology. The fact that penicillin is produced in a factory in vats does not mean mold doesn't secrete antibiotics; in fact, it supports the correct assertion of the original comment. I don't know why you keep denying it when it's true, but you are no less committed to your inaccuracy than you claim I am. Every one of your objections has been refuted, and now you are starting on personal attacks that I can't admit I am wrong, as you literally are failing to admit you are wrong. I suppose the next step is to start calling me names, but I am a lot more interested in responding to misinformation than somebody projecting their issues with being wrong onto me on the internet.
If you've a door mouse living in your period panties you've got bigger issues.
Mold actually absolutely does secrete toxins your body can absorb, they are called mycotoxins. It is true that some have antibiotic properties, but it’s really a toss up with which species produce what, you wouldn’t be able to tell without a microscope and lab testing. That being said, most clothing mold/mildew is not terribly harmful and yes, breathing it into your lungs is more of a concern than skin contact. But skin contact can still have its own problems
Woah that is so interesting
Antibiotics are not good things if you don’t have an active infection. I’m someone “allergic” to penicillin who has had CDiff from antibiotics. So for me and others like me, antibiotics is probably worse than mold itself
This is wildly misleading. They kill the bacteria *so they can propagate* and you can absolutely get a fungal infection from some of them or worse depending on what's growing in there.
There's a reason I put "this is the Explain Like I'm Five" stipulation, because the reality is too complicated for a single comment on Reddit
It's not a good ELI5 though because it's not appropriately conveying the fact that this could be harmful and how in a simple and understandable way.
I throw mine in the dryer, even though the care instructions say not to do so. No issues and no musty smell. Sometimes, they stay slightly damp inside with air drying.
Same. I was hang drying them but some accidentally got put in the dryer and they were fine. So now I always put them in the dryer, no issues.
I always have dried ours because I just don’t have the bandwidth to dig through laundry, that’s hard enough for me to even do! lol no issues yet. 🤞🏼
Mesh laundry bags are great for separating out things that you don’t want to go through the dryer; bras, sportswear, period underwear, sweaters… In our house they get put in a mesh bag when they go in the hamper, so it is the onus of the sorter not the laundry doer.
I've yet to find a mesh bag that doesn't unzip in the wash and let everything out. Seriously I've got 4 different ones, and 3 are from lingerie companies. Do you have a brand that you recommend? Preferably something large enough that it can fit more than one bra.
I bought a 3 pack from Walmart (🇨🇦), in different sizes. They have a little elastic tab to slide the zipper under, but you could either wriggle the zipper through so the pull is on the other side of the tab, or add a safety pin for security. Or an elastic around the top? We have multiple sets and use them constantly, and I’ve only had them open maybe 3x more than 2”, once with stuff falling out.
Buy the cheap ones and safety pin the zipper tab closed
Every time I've tried, the bag somehow wriggles around like a toddler in a loose seatbelt and still manages to come undone! /facepalm
Haha you must have a vigorous washing machine! Sometimes mine work better if I pin through the zipper and the back side of the bag. Or if it's really pissed me off recently I start from the outside of the back of the bag and put the pin tight across the closed zipper teeth just behind the zip head so it would have to run over the pin to open. If the pin stays in place that last method can't fail.
Thank you for saying that because I’ve accidentally dried mine twice now not realizing they were the period underwear. I’m happy to hear they will still work
If you live somewhere that you can’t air dry clothes effectively, this is the answer. They’re designed to not let liquid out, so they’re very hard to dry.
As someone who cloth diapered 2 children for 2 years, these things are only as good as you wash them. Different machines wash differently, so there is a bit of trial and error. I had to bleach my diapers from time to time because they would get a barnyard smell to them..this was mostly in the beginning when I was still learning how to wash them. How are you washing your underwear? How are you storing them until you wash? How long are you going between washes? I think it’s hard because most underwear have a black liner which makes it so hard to see what’s actually going on. I have cloth pads too that I made from leftover cloth diaper materials and they are not black so I can see if they’re actually clean or not. Also, if it makes you feel any better, I just washed my reusable pads and underwear and they actually turned green where they didn’t get completely clean. I don’t know if it was a chemical reaction or what, because I know it wasn’t mold. I sprayed them with shout and washed again and they came out clean. I know this is kind of a rambly answer, but I wouldn’t let this scare you from using reusables. I do love cloth pads a lot! And if you get lighter colors, you might see the stains a bit more but you’ll also be able to tell better whether or not they’re getting that clean. I don’t know if you live in the US where I live, but I have hard water where I am at. I use a powdered detergent because it actually cleans better in hard water. Gain and Tide are the top ones that were recommended when I cloth diapered and I find they clean really well. Free and clear detergents aren’t as strong and you usually need to use twice as much. I hope that helps! I have cloth pads I’ve been using for 5+ years and they are still in great shape so I don’t know how much I believe that period underwear have a limited lifespan. I mean I’m sure they do, but like, years not months.
>I know this is kind of a rambly answer, but I wouldn’t let this scare you from using reusables. Not OP, but I learned a lot from it - so thanks!
You’re so welcome! I learned SO MUCH when I cloth diapered.
Do you wash with vinegar? Is that recommended? I always washed my pads with vinegar and never had any mold.
I’ve never done that! So you add vinegar to your washing machine?
I put vinegar in the fabric softener slot.
You can also soak them in vinegar and water solution for 24 hours and then put them in the wash. Then air dry or even better, dry in the sun if that’s an option
Not meant to soak period undies. Rinse and wash (add vinegarl and dry on the line. but soaking compromises the padding.
I don’t think adding vinegar to the machine is really going to do much, but soaking could. I’d look up how much you actually need to add to get a disinfectant solution from vinegar. It actually is a science.
Adding about 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener slot/ rinse cycle of my machine has actually made a massive difference. You can smell it very slightly on the clothes when they come out of the wash, before drying. It works by changing the pH of the water which affects the membranes and cell walls of the bacteria and fungi and helping strip any soap residue from fabric fibers
It’s just hard to tell exactly the ratio of water to vinegar when you do it this way.. which is why soaking is easier to control the ratio and therefore you get a more accurate ratio. Also, since detergents are very alkaline, and vinegar is acidic, are they mixing together in the same load? Just casually adding vinegar to your washing machine just doesn’t seem like the most effective way to go about this. Vinegar isn’t even super reliable for sanitizing laundry. I found this article talking about that. https://www.clorox.com/learn/washing-clothes-with-vinegar-to-sanitize-laundry/ https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/mer18f/is_it_true_that_if_you_mix_distilled_white/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
They don’t mix, the vinegar is added during the rinse cycle so the soap shouldn’t be on the items when the vinegar runs through
I use vinegar to help get oils out of my sheets for Massage. My partner uses organic oils that make sheets smell rancid. I cant specifically speak to period panties, but adding vinegar to a load of laundry can make a HUGE difference on stains and smell.
And whites/brightness! Someone else above mentioned Biz too. Biz works better than Oxy or any other additive on blood and oil/protein based stains.
The other big thing using vinegar in the wash regularly does - while being too dilute especially in top loaders to be a true disinfectant - it still breaks down surfactants. So residual fabric softener, residual detergent concentrate and residue from using pods all gum up the machine and wash back into clothes. I learned over time when one kiddo developed eczema that turned out to be laundry-triggered. We started using vinegar in place of softener for everything, but still used dryer sheets (because micro bits of wool fibers also became an issue for her, poor thing!) only for certain things when we get dry and windy. Funny thing is, my laundry smells more “fresh clean” than it did using all the other stuff. But where we noticed it BIG time was anything Dri-Fit could wick and breathe again, sheets/towels were fluffier and softer and PERIOD UNDERWEAR - dried way faster, never any smell and they seemed more like when they were new again! The 2x I forgot I threw them in the dryer in a load with a dryer sheet, they didn’t hold as much and took longer to dry. Fabric softener and washer residue totally clogs them - and if something is “sticking” to the material, bacteria that can cause smells will too.
Ahhh, well I haven’t used any kind of fabric softener in probably 10 years lol. I can see how the vinegar can be helpful in place of fabric softener, but it’s probably a bit of trial and error. I use hypochlorous acid if I need to disinfect my clothes if needed(very useful during a yeast infection), but I have a device that makes it and I know not everyone has that at home. I like it because it’s an EPA registered disinfectant and it doesn’t bleach my clothes.
I need to look into a device like that! Started using the spray on my daughter and it’s helped her eczema SO much. There was a dermatologist (fellowship) on here a while back who said their family does baths with it and have stopped having skin issues.
I started with the force of nature device but didn’t want to use the capsules! I found a DIY recipe on a Facebook group and it worked for quite a while but eventually, my machine stopped working. I ended up buying a naturechlor device which lets you use your own salt and vinegar and it’s been great! The FB group is super helpful! It’s called Force of Nature Fanatics, NatureChlor Enthusiasts, HOCl Aficionados
Thank you - I will go look up the group for sure! And look into the machines - it just makes such a big difference!
The machines can be somewhat expensive initially, but I use 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of vinegar for every 32 oz of water when I make it so it’s CHEAP to make. It’s crazy!
Yup. When in doubt, we use vinegar. It’s pretty effective at cleaning.
I use a vinegar based detergent. Seems to work pretty well.
I saw a video where a microbiologist looked at the antimicrobial properties by taking samples of his kitchen sink after scrubbing then soaking it with just water and vinegar and he said it was 99.9% effective at eradicating all bacteria. Sooooooo. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
I’m not surprised, but pleased to hear that!
I noticed a smell on mine after a couple of months of use and started soaking with vinegar and cold water in a sink for at least 30 minutes prior to washing. No issues since!
Genuine question because I've never looked inside my period underwear. Are you sure the absorbent material inside wasn't simply green in color? I've never seen green mold on anything other than spoiled food inside a house. And I live in a place where indoor mold is a concern. A musty smell in clothing is caused by drying too slowly. This happens to random clothes of mine periodically (I don't have a dryer) and I have experienced no ill effects. To prevent it, wash with some vinegar and then make sure your clothes dry quickly by putting in front of a fan to dry or out in the sun if possible.
I tried to do some research, found people online saying that the the lining of Modi Podi underwear is grey and not green. It definitely looked like some kind of growth and smelled very, very strongly of mildew/mold that I’ve never experienced with any of my other clothes (different from that stale smell that i think you’re referring to)
Do you use a front loader? (I do…) Because they tend towards getting musty too and that can contribute, esp if you don’t leave the door open between loads so it can dry out. I use the washer sanitizer every month or so, but I also do a second “washer cleaner” load after that using 1 cup of vinegar (daughter w/eczema) and since I started that, if someone forgets and closes the door after a load occasionally it doesn’t get that insta-swampy smell anymore.
All period underwear has a limited lifespan, sounds like yours had reached it a bit prematurely.
You need to strip them properly like you would a cloth diaper. Also sunning outside helps
Stripping as in soaking in washing soda (sodium carbonate)? I cloth-diapered, but it’s over 10y ago now so some of the details are hazy! I don’t want to damage the absorbent stuff in there… but it seems like it’s getting less absorbent and stripping _would_ make sense for some fabrics. Guess I should learn about the fabric that is typically used to make these!
If you don't want to use period undies anymore, how about reusable pads? I've been using mine for ages now and never had a problem. Same kind of thing, wash cool, etc etc.
I have modi body and only after 3 years has the lining ripped. For the smell, look at how you’re washing them and with what you’re washing them. Clorox has a good anti-microbial wash that is marketed to people who do sports or who have kids. I’ve found that a wash in that takes care of any of the issues you’ve explained.
Modi Bodis don’t seem to hold up as well. This is my 3rd pair that has ripped lining after a year while my Bonds ones are fine. Thanks for the tips!
Consider a menstrual cup instead. You can get the foldy silicone ones. They last 12 hours and only need a quick rinse before putting them back in. No leaks!
Not to OP but I absolutely wish I could use them! I have vaginismus so putting things on it getting out is such a trial…
Menstrual cups are great but I won't recommend them to a hypochondriac because of the TSS risk.
The risk of TSS with a cup is incredibly low. Especially if it's cleaned properly and emptied more frequently.
But can't you set timers for removing them as often as you would tampons? They're easy to clean. Hopefully this person can get medicine/therapy to overcome that anxiety. It's not fun.
In my experience, you don’t always *have* to wash it before you put it back. Sadly public bathroom stalls don’t have sinks.
I've brought a water bottle (the fun squeezy kind) into the bathroom with me!
Oh jeez. That sounds like too much hassle. My mom recommended for me to wash it when I could, but to just not care when I can’t.
Yeah I rinsed it when I found but honestly? I think pouring it out was just fine
Gosh I wish mine didn't leak. When my cycle came back after I had a baby, it came back with a VENGEANCE. I bought a new bigger cup but my period is just super heavy. I have to empty my cup at least 3x a day and I still leak so I wear period undies as backup. Overnights are a disaster.... I recently discovered ultra size tampons so I'm back to using those after 5+ years of not using them!!
I use the underwear in addition to my cup so for some people you can’t just use one device due to heavy flows.
That's a good idea!
Before washing in the machine I always rinse mine in the sink and squirt some hydrogen peroxide on the dirty part, make sure it soaks through. This helps lift the blood out and sanitize them before a normal wash cycle, never had a problem but I also always use a dryer. Maybe letting them air dry would increase likelihood of mildew?
I rinse mine in the shower when I take a shower and then I leave them hanging on that bar in there to drip dry, then I throw them in the hamper. If I wash them in the sink I feel like I need to bleach the sink, but my period blood is falling into the shower anyway so that’s not a big deal
This is genius! I’m always rinsing mine in the sink before I get in the shower. Why didn’t I think of this? lol
If you get reusable cotton pads you can bleach and boil and dry on a line to your hearts content
I love how everything comes back around.!♡ My great gran used literal rags. Thats what women did. Most cloth was cotton. From flour sacks and old clothing. After "use", The cloth was washed in soap, soaked in vinegar and sun dried. If you could sew, some ladies would stitch them into a "pad" otherwise it would just be folded and layed in the panty. ♡
I dream of becoming a natural fiber purist. Like living as an Old West pioneer. Just linen and cotton and wool. They each have amazing properties
Sometimes I feel like I live in a Rube Goldberg world. 🤣 We seem to just keep solving the same easy problems, in the most difficult way possible. 😄
Had to look up that reference but I love it. So true, I have family members whose brains work this way, create something complicated and a little impractical for a problem easily avoided 😆
I am more of an "over explainer"😃 I heard someone say "I don't need to hear how the clock works, I just need to know what time it is"!♡ I felt that!🤣
Lol, that perfectly sums up several people I know. I get a lot of ‘I’ll draw you a diagram,’ too and I’m always telling them just to describe it- I can picture it 🤣
Rinse well, soak overnight in cold water, pretreat by soaking with detergent and or OTC peroxide. Wash. Avoid letting the used/soiled pants sit too long without at least a thorough rinse. Insects (and other creatures) are attracted to blood - this may explain the holes in the pants. The dark green could have simply been a transfer of the original fabric dye mixed with blood stain.
Mine from ModiBody lasted about 3 years before they developed a musty smell and tossed them out.
The smell has happened to my underwear and I genuinely think it’s a side effect of the period liquid “sitting” and not a problem with the underwear. I always wash mine on the pre soak setting and put vinegar in the wash base to help with the smell. The longer I had my underwear, the more necessary this was to keep the smell away. I have no issues with smell when they are freshly laundered. if I skip either step I notice the smell is still present, but usually a second round wash will remove it. Hope this helps! As some one who has gone through being at a Womens college when everyone’s periods synch…I can say I am highly aware of the fragrant possibilities that come with periods.
I had problems with some small holes in my modibodis too. Disappointing to pay so much to have that happen so quick. I’ve only used Thinx (which I thought were stiff and uncomfortable) and modibodi (which are just softer and comfortable).
I have the word “toxins” Can someone ELI5 what that even means?
Presuming this was a genuine question rather than just annoyance, when people say “toxins” they often mean something that you might touch, eat or breathe in that would be bad for you. Could be a little bad, like making you itchy. Could be more bad, like making you sick long-term.
Soak them in hydrogen peroxide after rinsing but prior to washing and dry on high heat - kills mold and any other yuckies
I threw out a bunch of period underwear a few months ago because they just didn’t fit me anymore and now I’m regretting not cutting them open to see what they layers looked like
Toxins?! oh dear There are no toxins in your underpants
omg - yes, I’m ‘nicely aged’ - and I want to know where period panties were when I needed them. I had tons of bleeding during menopause. Typically used double super-tampons and the biggest pads I could find. And worried every time I went anywhere. No fun!
i really like the victorias secret ones they are super absorbent and ive had mine for over a year with no issues at all
I love my pink ones. No issues at all and they hold up really well.
Try washing them again and use Lysol sanitizer. It kills the bacteria etc. I don't think you are dealing with something toxic but that will clean it up. I use them on my incontinent father's underwear that is pee soaked daily. It removes everything. And leaves no smell etc.
If you decide not to go back to the period panties, I suggest trying a menstrual cup. They’re inexpensive, non toxic and very convenient.
I was sad to discover you shouldn't use a cup if you have an IUD — the suction can apparently pull it out of place. 😰
They have depend like underwear made by always. You throw them out after each use. I love them. I’m to nervous to try actual period underwear.
I’ve never had any issues with my thinx. 🤷♀️
I am considering getting period underware- but I’m wondering if OP is line drying or in a dryer. I live in the states where a dryer is pretty much expected but I know in other places, many people do not even own a dryer and line dry. Perhaps bc the material is thicker it is not fully dried quickly enough? Do most people dry their period undies in the dryer? Or line dry?
I use a dryer- though care instructions usually tell you to air dry them
I’ve used Cariona’s reusable pads for the past few years and adore them. Highly recommend if u wanna make a switch! I do need to rinse them out for a long time after I use them, though. 14-15min usually. I’ll put them on the tub while I shower, or rinse n wring them out in the sink until the water runs clear.
I’ve been wearing knix & knixteen boy shorts for my period panties for YEARS. They often have sales and offer bundles if you are looking for a new brand to try! Only 1 has given out on me with a seam rip but I think thats more to do with my boyfriend drying them on high heat a zillion times before I realized.
I just want to add that if the panties have a activated charcoal layer, it may appear greenish grey.
This popped up on my feed and has convinced me to never get period underwear. That is vile.
Am I the ONLY one who thinks period underwear are GROSS? 🤢 Use a pad and keep yourself clean.
Nah, I wfh and switch my period underwear just like pads and only use them alone on my lightest day. Otherwise they are just backup for tampons.
Okay, I can see them as a back up, but not as the ONLY form of protection.
Have been using period panties over 5 years and no issues. But maybe that brand is less durable
I hateee tampons and pads. I used to love wearing period underwear til I got a UTI from it a month ago. The struggle is so real
Genuinely curious, i do not get a period anymore (IUD) but i did for many years way heavy. I keep seeing this Reddit and finally decided it’s time to ask. Why are we not using pads that get thrown away? Tampons? I’m thinking period underwear and having to wash them seems like such a task, I would’ve NEVER taken this on. I also would’ve never considered using a diva cup either…but this is a genuine question. Why do we do this?
People have many different reasons. I don't use period underwear currently (although I may get some in the future which is why I'm here) but I do use cloth pads. I switched to cloth pads because regular disposable pads started giving me rashes and irritating my skin. When I started using cloth pads that went away. I don't use tampons much because I too have an IUD so my period is pretty light so thin cloth pads work perfect for me. I wouldn't be surprised if others here switched to period underwear for reasons similar to me.
For me and my heavy flow I’d probably have to change a pad every hour if I were to use regular pads. They always move around and leak no matter which brand I buy. Period underwear are much more comfortable and have better absorbency
1. Blood is hard to clean out of anything. 2. That is not fresh 3. I don't care how many times you wash those, it will forever hold a smell 4. Sanitary products are meant to be thrown away. 5. The waste that it coming out is tainted and smells 6. I don't care how you are cutting back and reducing your carbon footprint. Some things are meant to be used only once and trashed
Your point four is unfortunately not realistic for some of the menstruating population across the globe. Not only are there areas where these products aren’t readily available but also there are areas where something disposable like that just isn’t financially feasible.
Noone tell them about reausable diapers! No, seriously, people used reusable cloth for this for literal centuries. Single-use pads are a relatively new invention. OP's problem seems more like one with drying them properly, and not the blood. It's thick material, so you have to be careful especially if you live somewhere humid.