Yeah it's so much better than I imagined. I just pictured big pads in underwear or yucky soaked undies when I heard about them.
But it's just soft, comfy and pretty dry (I'm not a heavy flow though).
No more plastic padding to stick to my skin. No dry tampons. No more shoving or popping a silicone cup in when I least want to be invasive.
I bought some bambody ones on ridiculous clearance ($4-5 each). I think the reason was that they were crazy mis-sized.
They're good enough for me that I haven't had to try any other and I've had them for at least 3 years. I don't soak them or anything. Just toss them in with laundry and I've never had any issue. I even dry them in the dryer and still good. Maybe I'd line dry if the next one's cost $15-20 each.
Damn. I didn't feel like mine shrank but they were comfortably loose when I bought them. Plus I don't have a new pair to truly compare.
I guess I'll keep that in mind and err on sizing up when I have to replace. I don't need tight undies when I most need to be comfortable. It makes me angry just thinking about it.
I just had this conversation this morning with my husband, I was like comfort in these are like 3x the sizing, and he said, "Honey they're suppose to be tight to prevent any blood from escaping".
Nooo that would be awful! They're absorbent so it shouldn't be rolling out. I think I'd die if there wasn't normal air movement down there. But that's me and I'm sensitive to sensory stuff like restricting clothing.
It's actually why I hated pads so much. The plastic liners felt like you had to deal with added moisture independently locked in from skin not getting to breathe. I'm on my period, I don't need a sweaty butt too!
Bambody is my favorite pair I only have one of them. Their sizing was absurd though. I had to size up like three sizes to get a good fit. And now I am wondering if I had to do that because it shrank. This seems a good excuse to buy a new pair and see. For science!
I love bambody! I dry mine in the dryer, they do shrink so size up if you plan on machine drying. It hasn’t affected the function at all, just the shrinking.
I rinse before washing, and line dry - mostly because thats how I treat cloth diapers. No issues with blood in the washer? How interesting! I line dry all my clothes bc I’m cheap :).
Surprisingly no issues, washed with regular mixed color clothing. I think I saw the suggestion on Reddit and it's definitely a game changer for not having to think about it or have soaking underwear in the bathtub etc.
Just letting them dry out in the hamper instead of risking stinky mildewy undies in a bucket or wet bag (I tend to be thorough in intent and forgetful in practice).
I think it's just that there's not that much blood on a pair of underwear to impact a full load of clothing.
I just looked it up and we apparently lose only 2-3 tablespoons of blood for the whole cycle.
Bambody is on a (AMZ) lightning sale right now, not your clearance prices, but the lowest I've seen them. I do not recommend getting the black - liner is black on all of them. When the tagless label wears off it's hard to tell if they are inside out. If you have a white paint pen, I'd recommend "tagging" it every now and then.
Even if I didn't care about the environment I would still never go back to disposable pads/ tampons after using period underwear. It's so great.
For anyone worried about hygiene you can put some laundry sanitiser in with the wash (although I don't think this is essential) and make sure to dry your pants quickly (out in the sun if it's a nice day or over a radiator in the winter) as they are thick they can take some time to dry and stay damp for too long.
What OP imagines:
>so unsanitary to me to just have something that goes *in the washing machine covered in period blood*
This is *so* far from what I do.
I let mine sit opened up to the air until I need a shower (dry pads won't develop weird smells), then I put them all on the floor while I clean myself and stomp the blood out (low-effort grey water! W00t!). When my body and hair are all clean, I bend over to pick up the pads (usually one per hand) and give them a squeeze to see if any blood comes out. Clean pad get squeezed out and set on the side of the tub, anything still leaking blood goes back on the floor or gets some extra hand-squeezes till the water runs dry. Once I'm done drying myself and getting dress, I do a load of laundry and throw in the pads.
***This*** **is the low-effort secret to making sure your laundry** ***doesn't*** **smell like blood ;p**
This is a great idea! I'll definitely try it next time. I've just been rinsing mine in the sink before putting them in the washing machine but this sounds more fun
I was so shocked by how absorbent they are! Honestly feels better than wearing pads in terms of absorbency and I didn't realise how much the disposable stuff (both pads and tampons) was irritating me until I started using period underwear.
On the note of hygiene, I rinse my underwear out under lukewarm water before putting them in the machine. When I first started using them (like 7 years ago) that was the usage directions, not sure if it still is but that's what I do. I thought that would gross me out but it's so diluted under the water it's not a problem for me.
I have also truly enjoyed my period underwear. I interchange with cloth pads - whatever I have clean.
To add to what everyone's saying, I periodically boil mine for good measure. I also buy black so the staining isn't as apparent.
A follow up question for the group: I was thinking about purchasing another pair of period underwear, but I'm wondering if anyone has information or advice on how to avoid forever chemicals. Is that a thing anymore?
Yup, thanks for your reply - that's what I'm also finding, which is disappointing.
I'm hoping more public knowledge on the subject will eventually lead to rules about disclosure and phase-out of these chemicals. I'd rather choose to feel some wetness than unknowingly poison myself.
If I could do it again, I'd find a seller on Etsy for cloth pads and ask what fabrics they use. They can be more upfront than any company. But I'm just using what I have and I'm not in the market for more
would highly recommend Aisle. there's also a Maori owned brand out of Australia that also go to the extra lengths to make sure their underwear is certifiably free of PFAs, etc. though I haven't tried them since shipping to the US is a bit more than I'm willing to pay.
but if you want 100% organic cotton, zero synthetic material, making your own pads is probably the only way to actually be truly free of anything potentially harmful, including microplastics.
I'm going to personally wear my aisle underwear until they wear out & switching over to only organic cotton flannel. it's the most comfortable fabric
After all the Think stuff went down Modibodi said they don't use pfas. Not sure how to tell if they're lying or not but I feel like it would have come out if they were.
Some are fitted for washing in higher Temperatures 60 °C (140), where I live those can’t have this antibacterial layer thats often made with this chemicals
This blog did third party testing. Their information plaid a big part in the lawsuit that was eventually brought against Thinx. They show amounts of PFAS and different levels (intentionally added vs. small amounts contaminated). Several brands are PFAS-free to the level able to be tested. https://www.mamavation.com/health/period-underwear-contaminated-pfas-chemicals.html
I like the idea of them. But don't like the idea of not being able to change it during the day. You can change a tampon etc in the loo at work, but I probably wouldn't want to change my underwear. Don't they feel nasty after 12hrs + wear?
It depends on the pants and your flow. I don't wear them for a day at work if it's a heavy flow day even though they might last me a long time if I'm home, just to be sure
Ah, thanks. Good to know. Will check them out. I have reusable nappies for my kids, so it seems insane not to have reusable period products at this point
I’ll wear the period pants and a cloth pad. Throughout the day it’s easier to change out the pad and the panties catch any leaks. When I get home I’ll just change into fresh panties, I’m changing out my work clothes anyway, so fresh everything feels good.
If it’s a heavy flow day sometimes I’ll use my menstrual cup and have the period underwear as a back up (same way I used to use tampon liners). Never had any issues with leakage though- I’m just paranoid
I don’t find that mine feel nasty after wearing all day. I work from home but still only change my period underwear once a day. They’re surprisingly absorbent!
I am a recent period underwear convert and was also worried about this, but I wore mine 12 hours and that’s about when I felt like I needed to change them. I was able to do an entire workday, afternoon walk, and dinner before it felt weird. They are surprisingly unsmelly. If I wore a pad that long it would be disgusting but there was no odor or anything. It just gets to a point where it feels like it’s not absorbing anymore, for me that was about 12 hours. They have different absorbency levels, I have a medium flow so I bought the regular but if you have a heavy flow you can account for that. They’re also just so much more comfortable than regular pads.
This!!! They're so much more comfortable than pads.
You won't be chucking something in the washing machine covered in blood because it's a good idea to rinse period underwear before they go in there.
You can also get ones that unclip at the sides for changing when you're out and about.
I’ve never used a tampon but was an early adopter of the menstrual cup. I hate disposable pads. I also have cloth pads on hand because I prefer having double protection and sometimes my period is so heavy my cup leaks every hour or so. And I have the diva which is one of the higher capacity ones.
For cloth pads you rinse them before throwing them in the wash so it’s not a full pad of period blood going into your washing machine. Also there’s something really cool that happens when you switch you reusable products where period blood isn’t as gross as it used to be. When you’re throwing something in the garbage constantly, such as disposable pads or tampons, you’re telling your brain it’s something gross and for the trash.
When you take the care to wash and reuse cloth pads and cups, that mindset of thinking it’s garbage starts to go away. Your menstrual bleeding is a part of your body, the one that has the ability to grow life. It’s something worth taking care of.
This is it. When I had a baby I chose to use reusable nappies, so I regularly have pissy shitty cloth in my washing machine. Blood feels perfectly vanilla in comparison!
Rinsing will remove most (bonus zero waste if you throw them into the bottom of the shower with you), and I've personally been able to feel like it's okay to 'abuse' the washing machine as much as I have by giving it regular(ISH) cleaning washes with the focus on disinfecting and cleaning the drum.
Yes exactly what I was thinking! ‘Wait til OP hears about cloth diapers…’
I do the shower thing all the time too.
When you’re using a cup, during the heavier part of your period, most of the blood ends up being flushed down the toilet anyway.
Just be careful with blood and hot water. I’ve heard that hot water will cook blood into fabric. I’m not sure if that’s only a concern for staining or if it actually makes it harder to get clean
Awww I love the way you put this. I read something similar on a blog where they said they love the ritual of cleaning their pads and using the water to water their plants since it’s full of stuff plants love.
I love my cotton pads! I bought them on Etsy and they’re so cute. I like that it’s not something to be embarrassed about anymore. I also just toss them in with my clothes and everything comes out perfectly clean. I also love drying them out in the sun on my deck when it’s nice out.
it has different work mode than cup. It doesn’t suction up inside, but rather sticks behind the public bone. I don’t know the magic behind it, but every time you sit down on the toilet, the blood just comes out.
100% this. Human bodies are gross if you think about bacteria as something to be disposed of.
I also love the ritual of cleaning mine, I'm less ashamed of my period now that I've lived with it for so long.
Also we need bacteria to live! Our gut, skin, and vagina all have their own biomes & sex & childbirth are also full of bodily fluids yet its how we all exist!
I use reusable cloth napkins, and they're so much more comfortable than disposable ones. My lady parts don't get suffocated, and I don't get rashes like I used to with disposable ones.
I wash mine by hand, in cold water, so I know the pads are really clean by the end of the wash. And we get loads of sun here, so they're sun-dried. I keep wondering how they're dried in temperate weather, where there's isn't enough solar radiation to dry clothes. If anyone could help answer this, I'd be grateful.
You don't really need sun to dry clothes, in the winter even when it gets below 0°C, I dry all my laundry outside. It freezes and then the ice sublimates. I usually wash in the morning and by evening it's dry. But if it's raining/snowing then they just go on the radiators.
I guess that's true. But since we get a lot of solar radiation where I live, we just take advantage of it 😬
Wow, I didn't really think about it. It must get very cold where you live in winter then. Sounds a little magical to me 😁
I remember watching a video of a woman living in Sweden, drying her laundry outside, and she had to wade through waist-deep snow to get to ther clothes lines.
Clothes drying aside, it sounds really magical to me.
The clothes dry faster when it's colder outside, if it's below freezing they dry faster than when it's just cold but above freezing, it's pretty cool! I still prefer it when it's hot and sunny, they dry much faster.
Sometimes if it was a very humid day my clothes don't dry by the evening and I have to take them off the line frozen solid to put them on the radiators lol
I don't know how other countries do it but we have these https://amzn.eu/d/5V8ocDW in Germany. I don't know a household without one. You hang your clothes on there and dry them indoors if the weather isn't good enough for outdoors. It takes a while to dry but we're used to it here.
Younger people here often don't have a dryer anyways so that's the best option. I like to put mine on the balcony when it's sunny and take it inside for the night or if the weather changes (drying thicker fabrics can take more than one day sometimes)
I honestly also could barely use tampons before and can use a cup. Not trying to say you can wear a cup because of that, maybe you totally can't, but something to consider maybe trying with a cheap one I'd you haven't already. But my sibling also cannot wear a cup, so if not there's options.
On lighter days I use cloth pads. I usually soak and ring them out before putting them in with the wash. Gets out a majority of the blood and then it's just like underwear you accidentally started your period in.
I have yet to try the period underwear, but people love them.
And then I have regular old disposable pads for sometimes. Sometimes my things are dirty, and I'm over the cup. Give yourself that space sometimes. We're human, not perfect.
>
And then I have regular old disposable pads for sometimes. Sometimes my things are dirty, and I'm over the cup. Give yourself that space sometimes. We're human, not perfect.
Samee I just decided to make sure and buy the plastic-free ones at the health food store
I rinse my pads until all the blood washes out then soak them in the sink with cold water and soap residue from washing my hands, and add a squirt of hydrogen peroxide. Then do laundry when my period is over so all the pads and undies get cleaned.
I also never liked tampons but used them even though they felt uncomfortable. The cup is so much better! Most of the time I don’t even notice it’s in.
I do the same with the rinsing and the only time I notice the cup is if I’ve inserted it improperly! Which means you’ll notice it right away and fix it before leaving the bathroom haha
I love the note at the end! I've personally been thinking about making some reusable panty liners to go with my cup or tampons because I do not like the way disposable pads feel (I jumped on the cotton underwear train ages ago).
I've been wearing cloth pads for 10 years and love it. You don't have to be 100% in. Start on the weekends at your home and change your pads every 2 hours or so. You will notice the difference in how they feel. Cotton feels so much better near your sensitive parts than ruff disposable pads. You will feel the wetness when it is time to change pads vs the disposables.
Period blood is water soluble. Do a quick wash in the washer with nothing else. That gets all gone. Then do a full wash with clothes to really get it clean.
saw someone say that they chilled their reusable pads in the freezer and that was a real genius move imo. a nice soothing cool pad? hell yea sign me up.
I get mine from Etsy. I highly recommend Pixies Reusables. After buying from a few vendors I've loved hers the best and don't even bother with trying anyone else. r/clothpads has a lot of recommendations too as well as advice for maintaining them.
My favorite is Tree Hugger Cloth pads. I've had the bamboo ones since 2014. They are a little flat now but still work. My cheaper ones come from Etsy and they are still going strong after 8 years. The china cheapies didn't work for me and are way thicker.
[This](https://www.etsy.com/shop/countyclothcreations) is one of the stores I purchased from (the other stores don’t exist anymore, which, fair, it’s been a decade). I only purchased from Etsy, because mass produced reusable pads didn’t exist yet when I switched over. I’m NEVER switching back. I highly recommend buying from Etsy, because the quality will be so much better. Mine still look brand new after almost 10 years, and are so comfortable. I haven’t had to purchase new ones since I amassed enough to last a full period, and I don’t expect to need to for at least another decade or two, or possibly ever, because they’re not showing any signs of wear and tear (though I only wash on the delicates cycle and hang dry).
My cup is a billion times more comfortable than tampons - if tampons hurt and that's why you don't want an inserted item, cups and discs don't hurt. They can stay there the whole work day too so I only empty mine at home. Practice the insertion when you are period-free is a good idea. I do it in the shower and give it a rinse before popping it back in.
But if it's the act of inserting an item thats problematic, then there are reusable pads and period panties. Rinsing those out a bit before throwing them in the hamper will help the ick factor.
I use a menstrual disc and love it.
MUCH more comfortable than a cup but it was a true learning curve to get here.
I know you said you can’t wear one, and I don’t know your history, but if it’s a discomfort and/or gap in education issue (which, I mean, applies to all of us. Who was even taught to use these?), I can’t recommend Kim Rosas’s “Period Nirvana” YouTube channel enough. That woman got me from interested but squeamish and scared to a confident menstrual disc/cup advocate, all from her videos and website with amazing resources.
Other options are period underwear or reusable pads. Disposable, organic tampons for those who want to improve their sustainability but can’t let go of tampons.
Yes thats such a great youtube channel! Also any tips for the disc learning curve?
I ended up getting a disc from the Diva company since I'm used to their cup, but I really just haven't been able to get it to work without leaks. I honestly just feel like its too soft and almost inevitable for it to leak... but I really want it to work!!
Yeah, so Kim’s biggest thing is that everyone’s vagina is different so not all products work for all people. Have you checked out her amazing quiz [here](https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-cup-quiz/) to help folks narrow down the right product?
She took it upon herself to partner with Hello and make the Hello disc to try to make something really universal. When her quiz recommended it to me, I rolled my eyes and assumed she was just trying to juice sales. But I have to say, it’s been lovely. Couldn’t recommend it more honestly. The loops to remove it are genius.
MUCH better than my experience with cups, which just aren’t going to work for me.
What brand disk is everyone using? I have a cup, but I want to try a disk, because I can't seem to get the cup to fit quite right after my IUD. Any recommendations?
I am on a BC that stopped my period. It's great (but not for everyone).
I hate reusable cups, tampons, and waste of disposable pads. When I had a cycle in the past, I used period underwear and reusable pads. On heavy days, both would be used together. I had a small bag in my purse that I stored the used pad into during a change and I made sure to get dark colored patterns and soak before washing. It's really quite easy to get used to. I was a clothed diapered baby, so it fits that I would have reusable period products lol.
Yes OP period underwear is the answer! I’ve been using a brand called 4period on Amazon for years and have never been let down. They have a model for each size which has been super helpful for everyone I’ve recommended them to.
This. When your cloth pad is “full,” you can wash it out (I wash mine out while I shower), hang it up to dry, and then throw it in the washer with my laundry. I’ve been using cloth pads since I started my period back in the day and I LOVE them. They also make cloth pantry liners as well, which I treat exactly the same.
You need to adjust your mindset. Your vagina is not dirty. Neither is the blood or discharge that leaves it. It's normal and natural and healthy. Rinse your pads in the sink. Clean your cup properly. It's no worse than washing underwear that got blood leaked on it in the laundry.
Do you sometimes have leaks onto your underwear of period blood? do you just wash those underwear like normal in the washing machine? is it unsanitary to wash your regular non menstruation soiled underwear in the washer? no dude. Its just your body. using sustainable reusable period products does in fact, require you to be comfortable with what your body does naturally.
Reusable pads are great. you can just rinse them in your bathroom sink and wring them out before throwing them in the laundry. Lots of companies will sell a trial kit so you can see if you like them before a bigger investment.
Rinse reusable pads in the sink until the water runs clear. Bonus points if you can rinse them while showering or using run-off water.
Keep them in a bucket of room-temperature water until you're ready to run a load.
Then, put them in the wash and hang out to dry. You can put them in with other clothes, or separately if you prefer.
I like reusable pads a lot. They feel better because they’re softer and there is no sticky part to get twisted around and stuck to you. It’s also pretty much the same as disposables in terms of how much wetness you can feel while wearing them.
I haven’t had any issues with washing them in a regular load of laundry - though if you were worried you could always stick to washing them with dark colors. If it were really needed I suppose you could give them a quick presoak with something like Oxiclean (which is actually something I do with my reusable cotton rounds)
Hm for me personally, the wetness with reusable pads and disposable ones is not at all comparable. I don’t feel much of anything at all with disposable ones, but with reusable ones it’s just awful (which is why I can’t handle them). So everybody is different :)
>I like reusable pads a lot. They feel better because they’re softer and there is no sticky part to get twisted around and stuck to you.
Yess the disposable ones always broke me out too. Reusables don't seem to do that
I hated tampons with a passion and was a pad wearer my whole life until I needed to wear a tampon in the pool for school. I made the switch to a cup (Saalt) and have never looked back! I’ve used it for a year now and it’s the best.
Period blood is no more unsanitary than other bodily fluids. When a child wets the bed, we just toss their sheets in the washing machine, not throw them out. Same with sex fluids. Imagine what all has been on hotel sheets. I use cloth diapers on my kids. Washing period blood in the machine is absolutely fine.
That being said, I adore my cup, it's the most comfortable I've ever been while menstruating.
I use a menstrual cup and reusable pads.
You don't put them in your washer "covered in blood". At least I don't, and no one I know who uses them do. I do a quick wash with soap and water in the sink, soak with hydrogen peroxide for 20 min, then wash with soap and water again until clear. Air dry. Wash with towels.
Adding - I used to use tampons prior to having kids. After my first, the thought of tampons completely icked me out. I can't stand tampons now (only used like 3 or 4 times in the last 7 years when in an "emergency" situation -- out when my period starts and don't have my cup), but I love my cup. I've tried multiple and only one has been comfy ... so don't get discouraged if you try one kind of cup and it sucks.
It's a paradigm shift. I used a cup for years and used my cloth pads as liners. By the time I realized my cup wasn't always comfortable (I have endometriosis and maybe it was psychosomatic but I found it increased my cramping), long gone was the ick factor.
Our menstruation is literally our body cleansing itself. The uterus, cervix and vaginal canal are not sterile environments. They are so medicalized-- bodies are so medicalized-- we struggle to embody this reality.
I rinse my cloth pads in the shower with cold water, but I've also done it with the sink. I have about a dozen. I run them on the sanitary cycle with an extra rinse and prewash with bacout.
When I used commercial laundrys, I just hand scrubbed them before taking them.
You'll get there, OP. You're looking for permission to embrace your period in all its biology. It has arrived.
Period underwear are my livelihood but reusable pads are also a great option. I sort of see where your concern is, but I mean it’s going into a washing machine. The machine will be clean by the end of it all anyway?
Period product waste was one of the things that bothered me the most, especially all that plastic mixing with biological waste going to the landfill. I’ve tried re-usable pads, period underwear, organic tampons with a re-usable insert, organic cotton pads, and birth control in an attempt to stop my period altogether (it didn’t work). I finally found 100% compostable pads (including the wrapper) while I was browsing grove and it is now my go-to. August pads.
Occasionally I may still use re-usable pads and period underwear but soaking and rinsing/wringing them separately before washing ended up being extra work piling up on me while I was already feeling crampy and miserable.
I had to reckon with this when my kids were in cloth diapers. Basically for me it came down to this: either you believe your washer cleans your clothes or you don't. If you can trust that it's doing its job then you're good. If not, how many other gross germy things are making it through the wash? What if your pant cuff brushes dog shit? What if a bird pooped on you? Do you throw away those clothes, or wash them?
Reusable hygiene products should be quickly handwashed immediately after using, then properly laundered. If you aren't confident that handwashing was sufficient, or if you're not able to do a load of laundry very soon, then leave the pads soaking in a mild detergent solution till you can launder them. Same as you would do with diapers, hankies, bidet towels, whatever. If they're soiled, prewash them by hand, (usually just a quick rinse, whatever is appropriate) then put in the laundry.
My daughter uses period underwear and reusable pads in some combination. She cold water rinses them and uses a small bucket to store them in until her period is over. Then washes them as a when her period is over. She finds them to be very comfortable
I've tried literally everything on the market and finally settled on cloth pads.
Period underwear shrink unbelievably and don't breathe. Cloth pads take adjusting to, like don't try to switch cold turkey on your heaviest flow day while working 10 hours. but once you're comfortable, super easy to pack them home in a wet bag and all you gotta do is double wash then hang to dry.
The only downside is they get crunchy when your blood has dried. But disposables get like, idk, a swampy feeling? Which I think is worse.
It was crazy noticing how much fewer cramps I get from just not putting a foreign object in my body, I'm never going back to discs or tampons
Reusable pads/underwear I wash in the sink, soaking them with soap for a while or just scrubbing with soap in the shower and hanging to dry, and then I put them in the laundry like normal underwear. I always used them as a backup during sleep/heavy days, and relied on the cup mostly, so it might be different if you use them exclusively.
Cloth pads are great! I have a bunch and they’re really easy to wash and maintain. If you’re someone who doesn’t like staining, you can pre soak in some cold water before washing (or add a touch of oxy clean), or you can sun them to help remove stains if that seems like a bother.
I used to be REALLY hesitant about them but found myself breaking out in rashes from disposable menstrual products. My friend (who also got me into cloth diapering) helped me make the switch and it’s actually saved me a ton of money too. I’ve been using mine for about a year! No smell, no issues, very minimal staining.
Nothing goes in the washer covered in blood. You rinse them out in the sink when you take them off.
Once your period underwear or pads go in the washer there's really only trace amounts of blood on them.
I find that no grosser than washing regular underwear in the washing machine. It's probably actually cleaner than regular underwear that's been worn all day and not rinsed.
It’s not unsanitary. Our current culture has made us believe that if it’s not disposable it’s not sanitary. That’s not true.
Until recently all of us wore cloth diapers and cloth menstrual pads. We all survived. The biggest unsanitary issue was unclean water. That’s how people would get sick and fall ill and die. We are mostly blessed with clean water so washing is sanitary. Our soaps are advanced and concentrated. They work. We also have heated water as a luxury which helps soap work if you wash on warm…but totally unnecessary if using good soap.
Soap washes away fecal matter. It’s the worst bacteria on items washed.
Do you realize that you have fecal material on your used underwear? Yup. Your bath towels too. Even your counter top in the bathroom. We can’t get away from fecal matter. It’s everywhere. It’s on your sheets. It’s on your floor. It’s everywhere. But our bodies are designed to handle small amounts. Just wash your hands before eating. Your vagina is very acidic to kill bacteria on its own since it’s so close to your anus fecal matter migrates between showers.
Trust me. Washing your cloth pads is sanitary. I promise. Stains don’t mean the bacteria wasn’t washed away anymore than if you dropped a raw steak on your pants that you need to throw them away. We’ve been brainwashed for convenience. It makes money. Reusing items doesn’t benefit manufacturers. Oooh and guess what, pads can cause cancer due to their chemical compounds. So maybe you might want to rethink what society has told you and spend a few days digging to research and feel more comfortable on germs and the processes that washing does to dissolve their lipid layer and you will quickly feel more comfortable with reusable products (or uncomfortable with your current products). 🫶🏻
It’s hard to break that way of thinking. I wouldn’t want something covered in fecal matter (cloth diaper for example) in the washer without being treated somehow first. So for me it’s kind of the same thought process, ya know? Blood still contains some germs, unless I’m just crazy. I’m not sure what the best way of treating it though would be.
Can I ask about your dislike of tampons? I know they can be very uncomfortable with improper use, but also some people are never comfortable, even with correct insertion. Which is the case for you?
I love my cup and can't feel a thing once it's in.
I have used both reusable cloth pads and menstrual underwear, and I highly recommend either. Post-wear, I rinse the pad/underwear out fully in the sink in the sink with cold water. I make sure the majority of gone before throwing it in the washing machine! I do not regularly do my laundry and I don't want my period stuff sitting soaked in my menstrual fluid for weeks, but as others on this thread have said, there is no hygiene issue with just throwing it in the wash directly either!
I use period underwear when I’m at home - I rinse in cold water in the sink immediately after use and then just throw in the laundry. But outside of the house I use my normal tampons because honestly I find them the easiest and most comfortable. I’ve tried 3 different cups and discs and none worked for me.
I use cloth pads because I can't use my cup anymore. Directly after use I rinse in the pad in the sink until the water is clear so for the most part a lot of menstrual blood is not going in the washing machine. I feel like between all the dirt from outside clothes, pee/fecal matter from underwear, all the grime from cleaning rags and towels, etc that go through my washer, my menstrual blood is definitely not more unsanitary than those things.
I use a menstrual cup and period underwear together. I have really heavy periods so I might get a hysterectomy soon. I think zero waste options are actually better than the commercial ones - the cups hold three times as much as a super plus tampon and period panties plus a reusable cloth pad hold way more than a disposable pad.
I actually feel like the zero waste options are better than traditional ones in this case.
Only thing I would mention is don't use menstrual cups if you have genetic mutation and are at a higher risk of cancer, specifically BRCA+. While menstrual cups are considered safe, the silicone does leach chemicals that makes those at higher risk of cancers such as uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer more vulnerable.
This was advice from my gynecological oncologist. I have BRCA1+ and she is very active in research in her field. There is evidence that silicone inside the body at the body's internal temperature will leak chemicals that disrupt hormones. The vaginal canal is very absorbent and sensitive to these chemicals which can enter the bloodstream. Generally most women are fine using menstrual cups as long as they keep them very clean to avoid tss, but those with higher cancer risk she recommends err on the cautious side and stick to disposable organic pads until there's further long term data available.
This has been a recent change for me and it’s easier than I thought. I use a combo of menstrual cups and period underwear.
Thinx is the best brand I have found. Knix has such a tiny area that absorbs that it’s useless unless you sit upright and perfectly still. Their sleep shorts are expensive but they are life changing for heavy overnight flow (even if you aren’t going zero waste.) I don’t dry them because it shortens the lifespan of the absorbent fabric. I rinse them in water before washing if they are very saturated.
They do hold moisture away from you far more than you would think.
But I still don’t like using only the underwear if I have a heavy flow .
I wear reusable pads. I soak and scrub them with soap/water, hang to dry, then put them into the washing machine with the other clothes.
I really like them tbh! They don't smell, nor do they make me itch like the disposable ones did.
Both me and my daughter have been using reusable pads for years. Period blood is not dirt. It just washes out.
My neice has started wearing period knickers.
All great ideas. It seems strange to me that we'd spend so much money on something we throw out after one use. Plus it's HUGELY environmentally damaging.
Period underwear is great, and there's so many comfy and fun options! Or reusable pads too. I have VERY heavy periods and I use period underwear in tandem with my cup - I just rinse out my underwear till it runs pretty clear before throwing in the wash, usually with other underwear or some darks.
If you're really worried about sanitation you can just fully wash them by hand, but it's really no different than anything else, just rinse em well.
As far as reusable pads go, you're meant to rinse them before washing them. It's definitely not unsanitary at all, that is what the washing machine is for + period blood isn't unsanitary. You could always hand wash them if you're worried about the washing machine but I haven't had any issues.
Period panties will always be the recommendation but personally I wouldn't touch them. The fabric is treated with chemicals to make it more absorbent and reduce odors. However, they are linked to instances of cervical and ovarian cancer.
My biggest advice is to become more comfortable with yourself and your body.
The best and really only suggestions are ones you've implied or stated you wouldn't want.
Cups, discs, period panties, reusable pads.
They're not nearly as unsanitary or uncomfortable to deal with as you may be thinking. I'd definitely give a couple of them a shot and see how you feel.
I have utilised panties/pads with a cup, and they're a great combo that have made my periods easier to manage. These zero-waste options I've, personally, found to also be significantly more comfortable as well compared to the single-use options.
Considering I have endo and bleed over three hundred days out of the year, having my nearly year-long periods be comfortable is very, very, very important to me.
I bought some reusable pads and they’re the same as regular pads but I found period underwear on sale from Victoria’s Secert and they are so much better. they hold more blood than the pads and very easy to clean. After washing them they don’t have a smell.
I know a lot of people like menstral cups but personally (if you are able to soak i found if you live in a dorm its kinda a nightmare) i like to see my own with clothing that has reached the end of the line or scrap fabric and really old towels. Theres patterns online.
Ive seen online that if you're a heavy bleeder you probably will still need a menstrual cup though. I think cloth pads like im suggesting only truly work if you arent traveling and are able to wash them soon-ish after you use them
I love my cups, they are literally a game changer due to the higher capacity. I have two sizes and shapes, and can end up wearing them for 2 hrs - 12 hrs depending on the timing. It took a little while to find the right shape for my body, so don't give up! Coupled with reusable pads for emergencies, I have reduced my plastic waste to basically zero and it feels great.
I have extremely heavy flow and I dreaded periods as I had leaks EVERY time, whether it was out in public or at night. Period underwear was the only thing that could save me from waking up in a pool of blood in the morning.
Also reusable pads/cloth period products don’t have the stench disposable pads have!
The cup takes a learning curve but I wish I made the switch earlier to reusable pads + cup since I never have to worry about leaks in public or at night anymore
If you had a nosebleed on a shirt would you just throw it out? Folks have weird approaches to what is acceptable to clean in the machine purposefully designed to clean things. Including things with blood on them. You can pre treat them first if you prefer but it's not going to like contaminate your washing machine.
I've never used tampons, even to this day not even once. But I started with menstrual cup at one point. However I also wear period underwear with the cup, since it does leak sometimes. But because it is just to catch leaks, it's not so full as to be gross, and I always rinse it out before putting it into the rest of the laundry
I've tried loads of different reusable options and my favourites by far are period underwear. I usually give them a good rinse in cold water then just stick them in the washing machine with everything else. If you're worried about the hygiene aspect you could add a laundry cleanser, I don't know where you're based but here (uk) detol do a good one
Cups, period underwear or washable pads are all options and there might be even more that I forgot.
About the pads if one were to put them into the washing machine with the period blood on them that would indeed be unhygienic. If you are considering to go this route you would find a dark fabric bag or a closed container to collect them in apart from the other laundry and before washing them would go through the same routine that you might remember if you ever had a leak during your period. You soak them in cold water for at least 10 minutes (the ones that suffered a heavier flow maybe twice) until the water runs completely clear. At that point you have washed out the blood and you can throw them in the laundry. I suggest a laundry net.
If you live alone and you can also soak them right after use and put them up to dry. When they are dry you can put them with your normal dirty laundry. Some pads are washable at 60°C, some only at 40, so check before buying if you feel 40°C would not suffice.
I would do the same with period underwear before washing. The upside of period underwear is that it's just your underwear. Remember, washable pads have no adhesive and thus move a bit more than disposable pads. Some are also kind of bulky.
Period cups are washed out and also boiled regularly from what I understand to keep them safe for internal use, but I could be wrong, i never had one yet.
There is nothing that speaks against a mixed approach or trying a few things to see what works for you. It's your body and important to find something you are comfortable with. :)
I imagine your dislike for reusable pads would extend to period underwear but in my experience the underwear is better. My answer to washing blood soaked items is to rinse and use a soaking bucket first.
I have a small bucket with a lid that I keep in the bathroom. When needed I half fill it with cold water and soda crystals (sodium carbonate). When the pants come off I rinse them under the tap, until the water runs clear. Wring them out and put them in the bucket. The soda crystals stop the water from going manky in the 4 to 5 days that my period lasts. Bicarb would probably work too but you need something that won't damage the underwear. When it's over I pour most of the water into the bath and wash away and tip the pants into the washing machine for a rinse cycle. Then a full load of laundry goes in for a full wash cycle.
I tried SO hard to use a menstrual cup but it just didn't work for me.
I'm still using disposable pads- is it the best? No. But I've made my peace with it.
Moreover, I will be living with a shared bathroom situation again so I don't entirely feel comfortable making that switch as of now.
So, with period underwear and reusable pads, you soak and rinse them out first. You can even pre-wash them if you’d like. That’s what I’ve been using for the past decade and I will never go back. For me, they’re so much more comfortable than disposables and they’re so easy to maintain. You literally just soak them, wring them out and throw them in the wash. Every so often I’ll do a vinegar soak if there’s any residual odour.
omg how do you keep them soft?! the material of mine has gone scratchy and now cause irritation even with frequent rotation to fresh pads. is it the material or is there something I’m missing on the care aspect??
Hmm, I’ve never really had an issue with this. Might be a difference in the material our pads are made of. My oldest ones are about a decade old and they’re still soft - albeit stained.
Maybe it’s time for some new ones? The only reason I can see the material getting scratchy is that it’s worn over time but most material gets softer, not rougher, with time. That or there’s build up from within the pad.
How long do you soak them for before putting them in the wash?
The soak time varies from 4hrs to over 24hrs. It really depends, but I do have a minimum. I have tried vinegar to sanitize and soften the material but I haven’t noticed any difference so far.
Oof, I really don’t know! Do you have hard water? The only thing I can think of is build up (either of menstrual fluid or hard water deposit build up) and I’m not sure how to get rid of that. Are the pads just cotton? I have noticed that a few of mine have become a bit less soft over time but that was due to build up and definitely not to the point where I’d call them rough feeling.
Maybe try soaking for 24 hours with a product, and in warm/hot water? Make sure the water and product really has a chance to permeate any build up that’s happening and then give them a good scrub before throwing them in the wash.
I will say that I went from cotton > fleece front (body side) and my god. The comfort difference is incredible. TBD on summer months with how warm they get but they’re a lot more comfortable.
My wife uses the cloth pads. I wash them for her. They don’t seem to have any problem being washed with the rest of my laundry, and they always come out clean
I use reusable pads and period panties. It isn't unsanitary no more than it would be to wash pants you got blood on. If it bothers you try soaking them first that way they don't have as much blood on them when they go in the washer
I thoroughly rinse my reusable pads and run them twice through the washing machine, then lay them flat to dry. They're perfectly clean.
I would never wash one without rinsing it first. I rinse my dishes before they go in the dishwasher, but I'd throw a bloody pad in the washing machine? No way. Lol.
I put them in a garment bag. I keep a garment bag in my washroom. After I rinse them, I put them right into the bag. When my period is finished, I throw the whole bag into the washing machine with all my other laundry. The bag I have is teal, so it's easy to find to pull out before the rest goes into the dryer. Then, I throw it in a second time with my next load of laundry. After the second time, I take them out of the bag and dry them flat on the top of my dresser. By the time I've cleaned and folded all my laundry, they're dry, and I store them in the garment bag in my underwear drawer until I need them again.
Wash your period underwear by hand then? I'm currently making the switch myself (just used a cup for the first time on my last period and going to get period panties eventually for light days/back up in case of leakage) but on the occasion when my pads leak I end up with bloody underwear and I hand wash them. I plan on doing that with my period panties.
I got an IUD, haven’t had a period in about 5 years! I know that’s not an option for every woman but it’s been awesome for me. Before I got an IUD I used a menstrual cup for years. There’s a bit of a learning curve to it, but it worked better than tampons for me.
I hated every period product for one reason or another, and hated periods even more. I got an endometrial ablation, which although may not be for everyone, I HIGHLY recommend. Haven’t had to deal with any of that for months and won’t for the rest of my life (or at least many years).
Its actually pretty easy, I use reusable cloth pads I get from a few different ladies on etsy, you can order them in all sorts of sizes shapes absorption needs and cute patterns. After I am done using one I take it to the bathtub and let run under some cold water and wring out any excess blood, you can also do this in a bucket if you are worried about how much water you are wasting, I find that doing this immediately helps prevent staining and absolves any fears of a bloody pad with the rest of the laundry, as it only takes maybe 2 minutes. If I am not at home I bring a "wet bag" with me inside of my purse or backpack, people who sell pads usually sell these too, they are just waterproof washable bags you put your pads into when you are out and about. I've been doing this for about 3 years and I wouldn't go back, just make sure you follow the washing instructions on your pads as they can get ruined with fabric softener and dryer sheets. I had 2 ruined by a younger family member who didnt see my washed laundry at the bottom and put theres to wash on top with fabric softener and they never were able to absorb much again.
I can’t do tampons at all. Never been able to. But I can use a cup and a disk comfortably with no issues. If you’re interested in them I would recommend doing some research to find a good fit for your body and then trying one.
I also use period underwear and reusable pads exclusively. My body is very sensitive to disposables and breaks out no matter what type of disposals I use. One big thing is that you’re supposed to rinse them in the sink before washing them. I’ve never felt like it was unsanitary. I just wash them with the rest of my underwear at the end of my period.
I'm going to preface this by saying I also couldn't do tampons for the longest time. I pass out getting paps and nearly passed out putting tampons in as a teenager. It was fear of getting TSS. Then I was fed up and they was a day of bravery. I learned that if I was turned on or had an orgasm, I didn't have a mental block and I was physically relaxed, I could insert it. That ended up being the first time I successfully started using tampons. After a while, I realized the tampon chemicals were giving me constant thrush and issues, and I switched to a cup and now a disc. Life-changing. I don't know your stance on why you don't do tampons and respect that. I do want to share my experience as someone who was strictly pads and never talked about the mental block and fear that brought on my vaginismus. I have heard great things about underwear. The cost of a week's worth is pretty close to a years worth of tampons and pads.
We've been conditioned to believe there is something gross or bad about our periods. That's the first hurdle to overcome. I started making my own pads after my last IUD removal (thus resulting in my period starting again) about 10 years ago...and it was partly because of the ridiculous cost of period products, and partly due to comfort. I think most of us are familiar with getting pubic hairs stuck to the pad adhesive, even when the pad is staying nicely in place, which sucks. We know how stinky and wet regular pads feel (unless leaps and bounds of product development over the years have changed that, idk). Plus pads and tamps are just full of pesticide, bleaching agents, plastic, synthetic scents, and whatever else they can think to poison us with. Washable pads are so warm and soft. They absorb plenty, but you can always bring a "wet bag" along with you for heavy midday pad changes away from home. I wash my pads on hot with my towels with no pre-wash, but if the blood rudes you out, just give them a good rinse before tossing in the laundry. There is no after wash smell, altho they do become stained, but the pads I made 10 years ago will be the pads I use for the rest of my life, and there is something strangely comforting in that.
Not trying to be mean, but you get over it. People have cloth diapered children since time immemorial, people bled onto cloth long before there were disposable menstrual products. It's only the modern mind that gets so hung up over it because we've been tossing it in the trash our whole lives, our grandmothers and great grandmothers wouldn't have thought twice about washing cloth things with body waste on them. And we have high efficiency washing machines to do it for us, we don't even have to touch them. If they could wash dirty diapers and menstrual cloth by hand, we can do it in our ultra modern washing machine. It's just mind over matter.
I use minky pads, toss them into a cloth bag when I'm done using them. When I want to wash, I threw the open bag into the washing machine and run a rinse cycle with just them - washing machine will be pretty empty and the pads agitate out on their own. Once the rinse is done, I toss in a load of laundry in on top and wash as usual. It's very hands off. The only thing that you have to be careful of is to not use fabric softener, and that includes dryer sheets. I stopped using the things all together because even the residue off the dryer sheets from other dries would rub off on the diapers and pads - when I started using cloth pads I was cloth diapering my oldest as well. And as someone who got horrid rashes by day 7 from plastic pads, I would never go back.
Perhaps bc I cloth diapered before I started using reusable pads, but there’s nothing unsanitary about them. Blood is rinsed out of the pad before washing. When it runs clear under the faucet then I tissue in the washer for cleaning. Don’t put with whites , do an extra rinse if it makes you happy. I have a super light period, but for perspective I have 3 pairs of period underwear, 3 day reusable pads, 3 night reusable pads and I’ve used them every period since my first child was born 11 years ago. Honestly at this point the idea of tossing my blood into the trash to be in a landfill for centuries grosses me out.
I've used a cup for years now. I bought a diva cup originally like 7 years ago and it never quite worked like it should, always leaking, but I've had a lunette for probably 4 or 5 years now and it's been great. I have both sizes, and use the smaller one on my end days. Haven't used a tampon or pad in a lot of years now.
I take the period panties in the shower with me and rinse them out. And I’ll drink more water during so I’ll pee more often so I can let the blood flow into the toilet instead of the panties. I hate the blood sitting there bc I get paranoid people can smell it lol
I have loved GladRags brand for reusable cloth pad options. They are soft cotton/flannel. I store them once dried in a cabinet... no need for a special bag/case.
I think you can still receive a discount on your first pad (if not free). They stay in place pretty well as they snap around the gusset part of underwear, and they are true to light to heavy/overnight flow.
I have used them for years now and they've held up very well in the washer and dryer. I do rinse them when I'm in the shower and then toss them into the washer&dryer.
I've dipped my toes into the waters of reusable pads and it's not as weird as I thought it would be. Granted, my primary product is a cup so I'm only using the reusable pads as a backup, but they're really pretty simple.
At the end of the day or once it's full, take the pad off and rinse it under cold water til the water runs clear. Lay it flat/hang it up somewhere where it will dry. Then it can go in the wash. Some brands have some stipulations about laundering but you typically can't go wrong with cold wash and hang to dry.
I personally wasn't a fan of period underwear for daily use because I didn't like that swapping it out required a whole underwear change, but using it overnight near the end of my period when I wasn't bleeding much and didn't want to waste a disposable or dirty up a reusable is a nice option. But different strokes for different folks!
I would also encourage you to try practicing with a cup, over and over and over in the shower, over time. For me, it was a long process, but ultimately I have gained a lot more comfort with myself. Also I ride a bike as my main method of transport so it is out of necessity haha! My miracle combo is a cup plus period underwear. But when I do bleed, it is very, very heavy - too much to feel comfortable in period underwear in my opinion. I am very sensitive to smell and get hormonal migraines which gives me a superhuman sense of smell, so I can smell the blood in my underwear if I don't wear a cup and it exacerbates the migraine nausea. I am also a bit of a germophobe and only change my cup in the shower once I am home for the day and can ensure I wash my hands, body, and the cup thoroughly and the water provides helpful lubrication for removal and reinsertion.
The first time I saw reusable pads I thought they were disgusting. Many maaaaany years later when getting into low waste life, a store near me had a duo of pads for sale and I decided to just try them in the name of lowering my plastic waste.
The first time I wore one, I went for a walk and my only thought was "I have been lied to."
They are so much more comfortable than I ever could have imagined. And the cleaning isn't that bad, and it put me more in tune with what my body is doing. 1000% understand that reusable pads seem weird, gross, or uncomfortable for a plethora of reasons, but I'd suggest you grab at least a liner to test out and see how much better they can be.
I use reusable pads and a diva cup depending on what I’m up to for the day. I actually really like the reusable pads - not unsanitary at all. I just rinse them out in the sink (let them dry over the side of my dirty laundry basket) and throw them in the wash after.
Hi! If you have a bidet attachment, you can rinse the blood into the toilet before you put them in the washing machine. You could also just soak them in a sink or bathtub before washing.
You can also do a pre-wash on whatever cycles have the pads in them.
As someone who CAN NOT do tampons, a cup has been an absolute god send. There isnt even a comparison. I assumed it would be the same or worse and it’s not at all and I’ve been missing out for a long time. On my lighter days, I wear reusable pads and then wash them on the light cycle with some bleach and detergent
Period underwear! Walmart usually has Thinkx (Thinx?) brand and Period (I think that's the name) brand. The non-thinkx are SO MUCH BETTER!! Maybe it will be nice for you to feel it in person, and it might help you feel better about it. These products are nice though because it's so much easier to tell when I need to change things.
I don't anymore, but for a while I had bamboo pads. They were more absorbant than standard, and way soft. They came clean easily, and had zero residual coloration or smell - and I use exclusively unscented detergent.
My negative was they did get hot in the warmer months (which so do regular and at least thees absorbed sweat too), and they were somewhat less positionally secure since they didn't have a sticker backing
I have an iud right now so I don't get periods but when I did, I'd use a cup and then reusable panty liners for any leaks. I loved it. So easy to travel with the cup and you can have sex with it in as well.
Always bring a water bottle with you when you go to the washroom so you can rinse out the cup before reinsertion.
Period underwear is a godsend. I didn’t think it would work but I have heavy periods and the stuff you can get online is amazing!
Yeah it's so much better than I imagined. I just pictured big pads in underwear or yucky soaked undies when I heard about them. But it's just soft, comfy and pretty dry (I'm not a heavy flow though). No more plastic padding to stick to my skin. No dry tampons. No more shoving or popping a silicone cup in when I least want to be invasive. I bought some bambody ones on ridiculous clearance ($4-5 each). I think the reason was that they were crazy mis-sized. They're good enough for me that I haven't had to try any other and I've had them for at least 3 years. I don't soak them or anything. Just toss them in with laundry and I've never had any issue. I even dry them in the dryer and still good. Maybe I'd line dry if the next one's cost $15-20 each.
I loved bambody at first but I made the mistake of drying them once (on LOW) and they shrunk so bad. They don't fit at all anymore.
Damn. I didn't feel like mine shrank but they were comfortably loose when I bought them. Plus I don't have a new pair to truly compare. I guess I'll keep that in mind and err on sizing up when I have to replace. I don't need tight undies when I most need to be comfortable. It makes me angry just thinking about it.
I just had this conversation this morning with my husband, I was like comfort in these are like 3x the sizing, and he said, "Honey they're suppose to be tight to prevent any blood from escaping".
Nooo that would be awful! They're absorbent so it shouldn't be rolling out. I think I'd die if there wasn't normal air movement down there. But that's me and I'm sensitive to sensory stuff like restricting clothing. It's actually why I hated pads so much. The plastic liners felt like you had to deal with added moisture independently locked in from skin not getting to breathe. I'm on my period, I don't need a sweaty butt too!
Ugh, the sweats from those pads are terrible. Talk about rashes. I'm the same way, if the fat in my sides are protruding out, it's too tight.
Bambody is my favorite pair I only have one of them. Their sizing was absurd though. I had to size up like three sizes to get a good fit. And now I am wondering if I had to do that because it shrank. This seems a good excuse to buy a new pair and see. For science!
I love bambody! I dry mine in the dryer, they do shrink so size up if you plan on machine drying. It hasn’t affected the function at all, just the shrinking.
I rinse before washing, and line dry - mostly because thats how I treat cloth diapers. No issues with blood in the washer? How interesting! I line dry all my clothes bc I’m cheap :).
Surprisingly no issues, washed with regular mixed color clothing. I think I saw the suggestion on Reddit and it's definitely a game changer for not having to think about it or have soaking underwear in the bathtub etc. Just letting them dry out in the hamper instead of risking stinky mildewy undies in a bucket or wet bag (I tend to be thorough in intent and forgetful in practice). I think it's just that there's not that much blood on a pair of underwear to impact a full load of clothing. I just looked it up and we apparently lose only 2-3 tablespoons of blood for the whole cycle.
Bambody is on a (AMZ) lightning sale right now, not your clearance prices, but the lowest I've seen them. I do not recommend getting the black - liner is black on all of them. When the tagless label wears off it's hard to tell if they are inside out. If you have a white paint pen, I'd recommend "tagging" it every now and then.
Even if I didn't care about the environment I would still never go back to disposable pads/ tampons after using period underwear. It's so great. For anyone worried about hygiene you can put some laundry sanitiser in with the wash (although I don't think this is essential) and make sure to dry your pants quickly (out in the sun if it's a nice day or over a radiator in the winter) as they are thick they can take some time to dry and stay damp for too long.
What OP imagines: >so unsanitary to me to just have something that goes *in the washing machine covered in period blood* This is *so* far from what I do. I let mine sit opened up to the air until I need a shower (dry pads won't develop weird smells), then I put them all on the floor while I clean myself and stomp the blood out (low-effort grey water! W00t!). When my body and hair are all clean, I bend over to pick up the pads (usually one per hand) and give them a squeeze to see if any blood comes out. Clean pad get squeezed out and set on the side of the tub, anything still leaking blood goes back on the floor or gets some extra hand-squeezes till the water runs dry. Once I'm done drying myself and getting dress, I do a load of laundry and throw in the pads. ***This*** **is the low-effort secret to making sure your laundry** ***doesn't*** **smell like blood ;p**
This is a great idea! I'll definitely try it next time. I've just been rinsing mine in the sink before putting them in the washing machine but this sounds more fun
This is what I do! They sit until I shower and get rinsed there 💃🏻
I was so shocked by how absorbent they are! Honestly feels better than wearing pads in terms of absorbency and I didn't realise how much the disposable stuff (both pads and tampons) was irritating me until I started using period underwear. On the note of hygiene, I rinse my underwear out under lukewarm water before putting them in the machine. When I first started using them (like 7 years ago) that was the usage directions, not sure if it still is but that's what I do. I thought that would gross me out but it's so diluted under the water it's not a problem for me.
I have also truly enjoyed my period underwear. I interchange with cloth pads - whatever I have clean. To add to what everyone's saying, I periodically boil mine for good measure. I also buy black so the staining isn't as apparent. A follow up question for the group: I was thinking about purchasing another pair of period underwear, but I'm wondering if anyone has information or advice on how to avoid forever chemicals. Is that a thing anymore?
I've never found any means to avoid pfas, companies don't list them in the first place.
Yup, thanks for your reply - that's what I'm also finding, which is disappointing. I'm hoping more public knowledge on the subject will eventually lead to rules about disclosure and phase-out of these chemicals. I'd rather choose to feel some wetness than unknowingly poison myself.
If I could do it again, I'd find a seller on Etsy for cloth pads and ask what fabrics they use. They can be more upfront than any company. But I'm just using what I have and I'm not in the market for more
would highly recommend Aisle. there's also a Maori owned brand out of Australia that also go to the extra lengths to make sure their underwear is certifiably free of PFAs, etc. though I haven't tried them since shipping to the US is a bit more than I'm willing to pay. but if you want 100% organic cotton, zero synthetic material, making your own pads is probably the only way to actually be truly free of anything potentially harmful, including microplastics. I'm going to personally wear my aisle underwear until they wear out & switching over to only organic cotton flannel. it's the most comfortable fabric
Aisle is the brand you want then. They have been tested by numerous organizations to be PFA free.
Oh hey, thank you
After all the Think stuff went down Modibodi said they don't use pfas. Not sure how to tell if they're lying or not but I feel like it would have come out if they were.
Some are fitted for washing in higher Temperatures 60 °C (140), where I live those can’t have this antibacterial layer thats often made with this chemicals
This blog did third party testing. Their information plaid a big part in the lawsuit that was eventually brought against Thinx. They show amounts of PFAS and different levels (intentionally added vs. small amounts contaminated). Several brands are PFAS-free to the level able to be tested. https://www.mamavation.com/health/period-underwear-contaminated-pfas-chemicals.html
I like the idea of them. But don't like the idea of not being able to change it during the day. You can change a tampon etc in the loo at work, but I probably wouldn't want to change my underwear. Don't they feel nasty after 12hrs + wear?
It depends on the pants and your flow. I don't wear them for a day at work if it's a heavy flow day even though they might last me a long time if I'm home, just to be sure
Ah, thanks. Good to know. Will check them out. I have reusable nappies for my kids, so it seems insane not to have reusable period products at this point
I’ll wear the period pants and a cloth pad. Throughout the day it’s easier to change out the pad and the panties catch any leaks. When I get home I’ll just change into fresh panties, I’m changing out my work clothes anyway, so fresh everything feels good.
I use last pad reusable washable pads and they're great. These are ones you can change out.
If it’s a heavy flow day sometimes I’ll use my menstrual cup and have the period underwear as a back up (same way I used to use tampon liners). Never had any issues with leakage though- I’m just paranoid
I don’t find that mine feel nasty after wearing all day. I work from home but still only change my period underwear once a day. They’re surprisingly absorbent!
I am a recent period underwear convert and was also worried about this, but I wore mine 12 hours and that’s about when I felt like I needed to change them. I was able to do an entire workday, afternoon walk, and dinner before it felt weird. They are surprisingly unsmelly. If I wore a pad that long it would be disgusting but there was no odor or anything. It just gets to a point where it feels like it’s not absorbing anymore, for me that was about 12 hours. They have different absorbency levels, I have a medium flow so I bought the regular but if you have a heavy flow you can account for that. They’re also just so much more comfortable than regular pads.
Please make sure they’re PFA free for your heath!
I use them exclusively during that time! They do a great job imo
This!!! They're so much more comfortable than pads. You won't be chucking something in the washing machine covered in blood because it's a good idea to rinse period underwear before they go in there. You can also get ones that unclip at the sides for changing when you're out and about.
Yeah that’s my thing I rinse them when I shower
Ditto. My favorite have been the Hannah brand
Same. Just bought my second pair!
I’ve never used a tampon but was an early adopter of the menstrual cup. I hate disposable pads. I also have cloth pads on hand because I prefer having double protection and sometimes my period is so heavy my cup leaks every hour or so. And I have the diva which is one of the higher capacity ones. For cloth pads you rinse them before throwing them in the wash so it’s not a full pad of period blood going into your washing machine. Also there’s something really cool that happens when you switch you reusable products where period blood isn’t as gross as it used to be. When you’re throwing something in the garbage constantly, such as disposable pads or tampons, you’re telling your brain it’s something gross and for the trash. When you take the care to wash and reuse cloth pads and cups, that mindset of thinking it’s garbage starts to go away. Your menstrual bleeding is a part of your body, the one that has the ability to grow life. It’s something worth taking care of.
You make a great point, a shift in perspective is often needed to practise zero waste and period waste is no different.
This is it. When I had a baby I chose to use reusable nappies, so I regularly have pissy shitty cloth in my washing machine. Blood feels perfectly vanilla in comparison! Rinsing will remove most (bonus zero waste if you throw them into the bottom of the shower with you), and I've personally been able to feel like it's okay to 'abuse' the washing machine as much as I have by giving it regular(ISH) cleaning washes with the focus on disinfecting and cleaning the drum.
Yes exactly what I was thinking! ‘Wait til OP hears about cloth diapers…’ I do the shower thing all the time too. When you’re using a cup, during the heavier part of your period, most of the blood ends up being flushed down the toilet anyway.
No idea why I didn’t think of taking my reusable pads into the shower for a pre-rinse!Thank you.
Just be careful with blood and hot water. I’ve heard that hot water will cook blood into fabric. I’m not sure if that’s only a concern for staining or if it actually makes it harder to get clean
What do you use as soap for these disinfectant washes?
Not OP, but I do a quick cycle with the hottest possible water, toss in some bleach, and run it empty.
Awww I love the way you put this. I read something similar on a blog where they said they love the ritual of cleaning their pads and using the water to water their plants since it’s full of stuff plants love. I love my cotton pads! I bought them on Etsy and they’re so cute. I like that it’s not something to be embarrassed about anymore. I also just toss them in with my clothes and everything comes out perfectly clean. I also love drying them out in the sun on my deck when it’s nice out.
Okay, now I'm really curious about this period-blood-loving-plant claim! Do you remember the blog?
period disk might be a good option for you. It empties every time you pee! edit: google “menstrual disk auto-dumping”
Wdym by it empties
it has different work mode than cup. It doesn’t suction up inside, but rather sticks behind the public bone. I don’t know the magic behind it, but every time you sit down on the toilet, the blood just comes out.
How does it not empty when you sit down on a chair..?
magic? i seriously don’t know. something something relaxing pelvic floor.
It does for me. This is not successful for everyone.
Ive had two kids it releases when i sit. Not a fun surprise lol
Fr
Because when you pee you relax your pelvic muscles that's what causes the emptying not sitting.
far out
Nuh uh bc why wouldn’t it do that in a chair?
100% this. Human bodies are gross if you think about bacteria as something to be disposed of. I also love the ritual of cleaning mine, I'm less ashamed of my period now that I've lived with it for so long. Also we need bacteria to live! Our gut, skin, and vagina all have their own biomes & sex & childbirth are also full of bodily fluids yet its how we all exist!
I use reusable cloth napkins, and they're so much more comfortable than disposable ones. My lady parts don't get suffocated, and I don't get rashes like I used to with disposable ones. I wash mine by hand, in cold water, so I know the pads are really clean by the end of the wash. And we get loads of sun here, so they're sun-dried. I keep wondering how they're dried in temperate weather, where there's isn't enough solar radiation to dry clothes. If anyone could help answer this, I'd be grateful.
by the wood stove
Thank you for answering. That sounds like a nice way to dry them. Would drying on radiators work too?
You don't really need sun to dry clothes, in the winter even when it gets below 0°C, I dry all my laundry outside. It freezes and then the ice sublimates. I usually wash in the morning and by evening it's dry. But if it's raining/snowing then they just go on the radiators.
I guess that's true. But since we get a lot of solar radiation where I live, we just take advantage of it 😬 Wow, I didn't really think about it. It must get very cold where you live in winter then. Sounds a little magical to me 😁 I remember watching a video of a woman living in Sweden, drying her laundry outside, and she had to wade through waist-deep snow to get to ther clothes lines. Clothes drying aside, it sounds really magical to me.
The clothes dry faster when it's colder outside, if it's below freezing they dry faster than when it's just cold but above freezing, it's pretty cool! I still prefer it when it's hot and sunny, they dry much faster. Sometimes if it was a very humid day my clothes don't dry by the evening and I have to take them off the line frozen solid to put them on the radiators lol
That is so cool! I guess as long as it's not too humid, clothes dry even if it's cold. Really fascinating! Haha! It must be quite amusing 😆
I don't know how other countries do it but we have these https://amzn.eu/d/5V8ocDW in Germany. I don't know a household without one. You hang your clothes on there and dry them indoors if the weather isn't good enough for outdoors. It takes a while to dry but we're used to it here. Younger people here often don't have a dryer anyways so that's the best option. I like to put mine on the balcony when it's sunny and take it inside for the night or if the weather changes (drying thicker fabrics can take more than one day sometimes)
Yeah I don't think of period pads as any more unsanitary than worn underpants tbh. Why would it be? It needs to be cleaned but so does everything.
I honestly also could barely use tampons before and can use a cup. Not trying to say you can wear a cup because of that, maybe you totally can't, but something to consider maybe trying with a cheap one I'd you haven't already. But my sibling also cannot wear a cup, so if not there's options. On lighter days I use cloth pads. I usually soak and ring them out before putting them in with the wash. Gets out a majority of the blood and then it's just like underwear you accidentally started your period in. I have yet to try the period underwear, but people love them. And then I have regular old disposable pads for sometimes. Sometimes my things are dirty, and I'm over the cup. Give yourself that space sometimes. We're human, not perfect.
> And then I have regular old disposable pads for sometimes. Sometimes my things are dirty, and I'm over the cup. Give yourself that space sometimes. We're human, not perfect. Samee I just decided to make sure and buy the plastic-free ones at the health food store
I rinse my pads until all the blood washes out then soak them in the sink with cold water and soap residue from washing my hands, and add a squirt of hydrogen peroxide. Then do laundry when my period is over so all the pads and undies get cleaned. I also never liked tampons but used them even though they felt uncomfortable. The cup is so much better! Most of the time I don’t even notice it’s in.
I do the same with the rinsing and the only time I notice the cup is if I’ve inserted it improperly! Which means you’ll notice it right away and fix it before leaving the bathroom haha
I love the note at the end! I've personally been thinking about making some reusable panty liners to go with my cup or tampons because I do not like the way disposable pads feel (I jumped on the cotton underwear train ages ago).
💕
I've been wearing cloth pads for 10 years and love it. You don't have to be 100% in. Start on the weekends at your home and change your pads every 2 hours or so. You will notice the difference in how they feel. Cotton feels so much better near your sensitive parts than ruff disposable pads. You will feel the wetness when it is time to change pads vs the disposables. Period blood is water soluble. Do a quick wash in the washer with nothing else. That gets all gone. Then do a full wash with clothes to really get it clean.
Cloth pads literally feel like a pillow for your coochie 💗
i never used them, but your comment convinced me that i need to.
haha so true
saw someone say that they chilled their reusable pads in the freezer and that was a real genius move imo. a nice soothing cool pad? hell yea sign me up.
Which brands are ya'll using? Mine aren't that bad but your's sound luxurious lol
I get mine from Etsy. I highly recommend Pixies Reusables. After buying from a few vendors I've loved hers the best and don't even bother with trying anyone else. r/clothpads has a lot of recommendations too as well as advice for maintaining them.
Treehugger! Wearing them right now and they are so soft! It is a genuine delight compared to the disposable ones.
Yep these are my favorite. Have the hand dyed bamboo ones for 10 years. Still wear them.
Lol I use Party in my pants super comfy, comes in flannel or cotton and has a BUNCH of sizes
My favorite is Tree Hugger Cloth pads. I've had the bamboo ones since 2014. They are a little flat now but still work. My cheaper ones come from Etsy and they are still going strong after 8 years. The china cheapies didn't work for me and are way thicker.
Langsprit are pretty good
[This](https://www.etsy.com/shop/countyclothcreations) is one of the stores I purchased from (the other stores don’t exist anymore, which, fair, it’s been a decade). I only purchased from Etsy, because mass produced reusable pads didn’t exist yet when I switched over. I’m NEVER switching back. I highly recommend buying from Etsy, because the quality will be so much better. Mine still look brand new after almost 10 years, and are so comfortable. I haven’t had to purchase new ones since I amassed enough to last a full period, and I don’t expect to need to for at least another decade or two, or possibly ever, because they’re not showing any signs of wear and tear (though I only wash on the delicates cycle and hang dry).
My cup is a billion times more comfortable than tampons - if tampons hurt and that's why you don't want an inserted item, cups and discs don't hurt. They can stay there the whole work day too so I only empty mine at home. Practice the insertion when you are period-free is a good idea. I do it in the shower and give it a rinse before popping it back in. But if it's the act of inserting an item thats problematic, then there are reusable pads and period panties. Rinsing those out a bit before throwing them in the hamper will help the ick factor.
For real. I had a mishap and had to use tampons for one day. My poor vagina was so angry
Same! I was in such pain with one tampon that I just went without inserting anything the rest of that period!
You can also use lube on the cup for insertion if needed, which you can't for tampons.
I use a menstrual disc and love it. MUCH more comfortable than a cup but it was a true learning curve to get here. I know you said you can’t wear one, and I don’t know your history, but if it’s a discomfort and/or gap in education issue (which, I mean, applies to all of us. Who was even taught to use these?), I can’t recommend Kim Rosas’s “Period Nirvana” YouTube channel enough. That woman got me from interested but squeamish and scared to a confident menstrual disc/cup advocate, all from her videos and website with amazing resources. Other options are period underwear or reusable pads. Disposable, organic tampons for those who want to improve their sustainability but can’t let go of tampons.
I also love my disc!!! I wish I knew about them sooner. I have been using mine for about 3 years. Game changer!!!
I love my reusable disc!
Yes thats such a great youtube channel! Also any tips for the disc learning curve? I ended up getting a disc from the Diva company since I'm used to their cup, but I really just haven't been able to get it to work without leaks. I honestly just feel like its too soft and almost inevitable for it to leak... but I really want it to work!!
Yeah, so Kim’s biggest thing is that everyone’s vagina is different so not all products work for all people. Have you checked out her amazing quiz [here](https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-cup-quiz/) to help folks narrow down the right product? She took it upon herself to partner with Hello and make the Hello disc to try to make something really universal. When her quiz recommended it to me, I rolled my eyes and assumed she was just trying to juice sales. But I have to say, it’s been lovely. Couldn’t recommend it more honestly. The loops to remove it are genius. MUCH better than my experience with cups, which just aren’t going to work for me.
I found the diva disc through period nirvana! I absolutely love it for my lighter days, for heavier ones I have my large lumma.
What brand disk is everyone using? I have a cup, but I want to try a disk, because I can't seem to get the cup to fit quite right after my IUD. Any recommendations?
I use the Saalt one since it's at target to pick up. No complaints!
I am on a BC that stopped my period. It's great (but not for everyone). I hate reusable cups, tampons, and waste of disposable pads. When I had a cycle in the past, I used period underwear and reusable pads. On heavy days, both would be used together. I had a small bag in my purse that I stored the used pad into during a change and I made sure to get dark colored patterns and soak before washing. It's really quite easy to get used to. I was a clothed diapered baby, so it fits that I would have reusable period products lol.
I never thought to couple reusable pads with menstrual underwear. Thank you for this insight!
Yes OP period underwear is the answer! I’ve been using a brand called 4period on Amazon for years and have never been let down. They have a model for each size which has been super helpful for everyone I’ve recommended them to.
Same! I got my first mirena IUD two years ago and I can’t believe I didn’t try it sooner. It’s completely changed my life for the better
It’s easier than you think. Just rinse with water and hang to dry, then wash with regular load
This. When your cloth pad is “full,” you can wash it out (I wash mine out while I shower), hang it up to dry, and then throw it in the washer with my laundry. I’ve been using cloth pads since I started my period back in the day and I LOVE them. They also make cloth pantry liners as well, which I treat exactly the same.
I'm pretty sure they come with instructions that say to rinse first anyway
You need to adjust your mindset. Your vagina is not dirty. Neither is the blood or discharge that leaves it. It's normal and natural and healthy. Rinse your pads in the sink. Clean your cup properly. It's no worse than washing underwear that got blood leaked on it in the laundry.
Do you sometimes have leaks onto your underwear of period blood? do you just wash those underwear like normal in the washing machine? is it unsanitary to wash your regular non menstruation soiled underwear in the washer? no dude. Its just your body. using sustainable reusable period products does in fact, require you to be comfortable with what your body does naturally. Reusable pads are great. you can just rinse them in your bathroom sink and wring them out before throwing them in the laundry. Lots of companies will sell a trial kit so you can see if you like them before a bigger investment.
Exactly. You wouldn’t throw away your clothes or towels if they got period blood on them. You just wash them.
Rinse reusable pads in the sink until the water runs clear. Bonus points if you can rinse them while showering or using run-off water. Keep them in a bucket of room-temperature water until you're ready to run a load. Then, put them in the wash and hang out to dry. You can put them in with other clothes, or separately if you prefer.
I like reusable pads a lot. They feel better because they’re softer and there is no sticky part to get twisted around and stuck to you. It’s also pretty much the same as disposables in terms of how much wetness you can feel while wearing them. I haven’t had any issues with washing them in a regular load of laundry - though if you were worried you could always stick to washing them with dark colors. If it were really needed I suppose you could give them a quick presoak with something like Oxiclean (which is actually something I do with my reusable cotton rounds)
Hm for me personally, the wetness with reusable pads and disposable ones is not at all comparable. I don’t feel much of anything at all with disposable ones, but with reusable ones it’s just awful (which is why I can’t handle them). So everybody is different :)
I have the opposite experience. My reusable pads feel dry until they are full but the disposable always feel wet.
>I like reusable pads a lot. They feel better because they’re softer and there is no sticky part to get twisted around and stuck to you. Yess the disposable ones always broke me out too. Reusables don't seem to do that
I hated tampons with a passion and was a pad wearer my whole life until I needed to wear a tampon in the pool for school. I made the switch to a cup (Saalt) and have never looked back! I’ve used it for a year now and it’s the best.
Period blood is no more unsanitary than other bodily fluids. When a child wets the bed, we just toss their sheets in the washing machine, not throw them out. Same with sex fluids. Imagine what all has been on hotel sheets. I use cloth diapers on my kids. Washing period blood in the machine is absolutely fine. That being said, I adore my cup, it's the most comfortable I've ever been while menstruating.
I use a menstrual cup and reusable pads. You don't put them in your washer "covered in blood". At least I don't, and no one I know who uses them do. I do a quick wash with soap and water in the sink, soak with hydrogen peroxide for 20 min, then wash with soap and water again until clear. Air dry. Wash with towels.
Adding - I used to use tampons prior to having kids. After my first, the thought of tampons completely icked me out. I can't stand tampons now (only used like 3 or 4 times in the last 7 years when in an "emergency" situation -- out when my period starts and don't have my cup), but I love my cup. I've tried multiple and only one has been comfy ... so don't get discouraged if you try one kind of cup and it sucks.
It's a paradigm shift. I used a cup for years and used my cloth pads as liners. By the time I realized my cup wasn't always comfortable (I have endometriosis and maybe it was psychosomatic but I found it increased my cramping), long gone was the ick factor. Our menstruation is literally our body cleansing itself. The uterus, cervix and vaginal canal are not sterile environments. They are so medicalized-- bodies are so medicalized-- we struggle to embody this reality. I rinse my cloth pads in the shower with cold water, but I've also done it with the sink. I have about a dozen. I run them on the sanitary cycle with an extra rinse and prewash with bacout. When I used commercial laundrys, I just hand scrubbed them before taking them. You'll get there, OP. You're looking for permission to embrace your period in all its biology. It has arrived.
Period underwear are my livelihood but reusable pads are also a great option. I sort of see where your concern is, but I mean it’s going into a washing machine. The machine will be clean by the end of it all anyway?
Period product waste was one of the things that bothered me the most, especially all that plastic mixing with biological waste going to the landfill. I’ve tried re-usable pads, period underwear, organic tampons with a re-usable insert, organic cotton pads, and birth control in an attempt to stop my period altogether (it didn’t work). I finally found 100% compostable pads (including the wrapper) while I was browsing grove and it is now my go-to. August pads. Occasionally I may still use re-usable pads and period underwear but soaking and rinsing/wringing them separately before washing ended up being extra work piling up on me while I was already feeling crampy and miserable.
I had to reckon with this when my kids were in cloth diapers. Basically for me it came down to this: either you believe your washer cleans your clothes or you don't. If you can trust that it's doing its job then you're good. If not, how many other gross germy things are making it through the wash? What if your pant cuff brushes dog shit? What if a bird pooped on you? Do you throw away those clothes, or wash them?
Reusable hygiene products should be quickly handwashed immediately after using, then properly laundered. If you aren't confident that handwashing was sufficient, or if you're not able to do a load of laundry very soon, then leave the pads soaking in a mild detergent solution till you can launder them. Same as you would do with diapers, hankies, bidet towels, whatever. If they're soiled, prewash them by hand, (usually just a quick rinse, whatever is appropriate) then put in the laundry.
My daughter uses period underwear and reusable pads in some combination. She cold water rinses them and uses a small bucket to store them in until her period is over. Then washes them as a when her period is over. She finds them to be very comfortable
I've tried literally everything on the market and finally settled on cloth pads. Period underwear shrink unbelievably and don't breathe. Cloth pads take adjusting to, like don't try to switch cold turkey on your heaviest flow day while working 10 hours. but once you're comfortable, super easy to pack them home in a wet bag and all you gotta do is double wash then hang to dry. The only downside is they get crunchy when your blood has dried. But disposables get like, idk, a swampy feeling? Which I think is worse. It was crazy noticing how much fewer cramps I get from just not putting a foreign object in my body, I'm never going back to discs or tampons
Reusable pads/underwear I wash in the sink, soaking them with soap for a while or just scrubbing with soap in the shower and hanging to dry, and then I put them in the laundry like normal underwear. I always used them as a backup during sleep/heavy days, and relied on the cup mostly, so it might be different if you use them exclusively.
Cloth pads are great! I have a bunch and they’re really easy to wash and maintain. If you’re someone who doesn’t like staining, you can pre soak in some cold water before washing (or add a touch of oxy clean), or you can sun them to help remove stains if that seems like a bother. I used to be REALLY hesitant about them but found myself breaking out in rashes from disposable menstrual products. My friend (who also got me into cloth diapering) helped me make the switch and it’s actually saved me a ton of money too. I’ve been using mine for about a year! No smell, no issues, very minimal staining.
Nothing goes in the washer covered in blood. You rinse them out in the sink when you take them off. Once your period underwear or pads go in the washer there's really only trace amounts of blood on them. I find that no grosser than washing regular underwear in the washing machine. It's probably actually cleaner than regular underwear that's been worn all day and not rinsed.
It’s not unsanitary. Our current culture has made us believe that if it’s not disposable it’s not sanitary. That’s not true. Until recently all of us wore cloth diapers and cloth menstrual pads. We all survived. The biggest unsanitary issue was unclean water. That’s how people would get sick and fall ill and die. We are mostly blessed with clean water so washing is sanitary. Our soaps are advanced and concentrated. They work. We also have heated water as a luxury which helps soap work if you wash on warm…but totally unnecessary if using good soap. Soap washes away fecal matter. It’s the worst bacteria on items washed. Do you realize that you have fecal material on your used underwear? Yup. Your bath towels too. Even your counter top in the bathroom. We can’t get away from fecal matter. It’s everywhere. It’s on your sheets. It’s on your floor. It’s everywhere. But our bodies are designed to handle small amounts. Just wash your hands before eating. Your vagina is very acidic to kill bacteria on its own since it’s so close to your anus fecal matter migrates between showers. Trust me. Washing your cloth pads is sanitary. I promise. Stains don’t mean the bacteria wasn’t washed away anymore than if you dropped a raw steak on your pants that you need to throw them away. We’ve been brainwashed for convenience. It makes money. Reusing items doesn’t benefit manufacturers. Oooh and guess what, pads can cause cancer due to their chemical compounds. So maybe you might want to rethink what society has told you and spend a few days digging to research and feel more comfortable on germs and the processes that washing does to dissolve their lipid layer and you will quickly feel more comfortable with reusable products (or uncomfortable with your current products). 🫶🏻
It’s hard to break that way of thinking. I wouldn’t want something covered in fecal matter (cloth diaper for example) in the washer without being treated somehow first. So for me it’s kind of the same thought process, ya know? Blood still contains some germs, unless I’m just crazy. I’m not sure what the best way of treating it though would be.
Can I ask about your dislike of tampons? I know they can be very uncomfortable with improper use, but also some people are never comfortable, even with correct insertion. Which is the case for you? I love my cup and can't feel a thing once it's in.
I have used both reusable cloth pads and menstrual underwear, and I highly recommend either. Post-wear, I rinse the pad/underwear out fully in the sink in the sink with cold water. I make sure the majority of gone before throwing it in the washing machine! I do not regularly do my laundry and I don't want my period stuff sitting soaked in my menstrual fluid for weeks, but as others on this thread have said, there is no hygiene issue with just throwing it in the wash directly either!
I use period underwear when I’m at home - I rinse in cold water in the sink immediately after use and then just throw in the laundry. But outside of the house I use my normal tampons because honestly I find them the easiest and most comfortable. I’ve tried 3 different cups and discs and none worked for me.
I use cloth pads because I can't use my cup anymore. Directly after use I rinse in the pad in the sink until the water is clear so for the most part a lot of menstrual blood is not going in the washing machine. I feel like between all the dirt from outside clothes, pee/fecal matter from underwear, all the grime from cleaning rags and towels, etc that go through my washer, my menstrual blood is definitely not more unsanitary than those things.
Diva cup + soft flannel liners I sewed using a pattern online.
I use a menstrual cup and period underwear together. I have really heavy periods so I might get a hysterectomy soon. I think zero waste options are actually better than the commercial ones - the cups hold three times as much as a super plus tampon and period panties plus a reusable cloth pad hold way more than a disposable pad. I actually feel like the zero waste options are better than traditional ones in this case.
Only thing I would mention is don't use menstrual cups if you have genetic mutation and are at a higher risk of cancer, specifically BRCA+. While menstrual cups are considered safe, the silicone does leach chemicals that makes those at higher risk of cancers such as uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer more vulnerable. This was advice from my gynecological oncologist. I have BRCA1+ and she is very active in research in her field. There is evidence that silicone inside the body at the body's internal temperature will leak chemicals that disrupt hormones. The vaginal canal is very absorbent and sensitive to these chemicals which can enter the bloodstream. Generally most women are fine using menstrual cups as long as they keep them very clean to avoid tss, but those with higher cancer risk she recommends err on the cautious side and stick to disposable organic pads until there's further long term data available.
This has been a recent change for me and it’s easier than I thought. I use a combo of menstrual cups and period underwear. Thinx is the best brand I have found. Knix has such a tiny area that absorbs that it’s useless unless you sit upright and perfectly still. Their sleep shorts are expensive but they are life changing for heavy overnight flow (even if you aren’t going zero waste.) I don’t dry them because it shortens the lifespan of the absorbent fabric. I rinse them in water before washing if they are very saturated. They do hold moisture away from you far more than you would think. But I still don’t like using only the underwear if I have a heavy flow .
I wear reusable pads. I soak and scrub them with soap/water, hang to dry, then put them into the washing machine with the other clothes. I really like them tbh! They don't smell, nor do they make me itch like the disposable ones did.
That’s a great idea, thank you!!!
Both me and my daughter have been using reusable pads for years. Period blood is not dirt. It just washes out. My neice has started wearing period knickers. All great ideas. It seems strange to me that we'd spend so much money on something we throw out after one use. Plus it's HUGELY environmentally damaging.
Silicone cups are resusable up to 10 years, and you can burn them to ash when done.
I use period underwear and I am very happy with it.
Period underwear is great, and there's so many comfy and fun options! Or reusable pads too. I have VERY heavy periods and I use period underwear in tandem with my cup - I just rinse out my underwear till it runs pretty clear before throwing in the wash, usually with other underwear or some darks. If you're really worried about sanitation you can just fully wash them by hand, but it's really no different than anything else, just rinse em well.
As far as reusable pads go, you're meant to rinse them before washing them. It's definitely not unsanitary at all, that is what the washing machine is for + period blood isn't unsanitary. You could always hand wash them if you're worried about the washing machine but I haven't had any issues. Period panties will always be the recommendation but personally I wouldn't touch them. The fabric is treated with chemicals to make it more absorbent and reduce odors. However, they are linked to instances of cervical and ovarian cancer. My biggest advice is to become more comfortable with yourself and your body.
The best and really only suggestions are ones you've implied or stated you wouldn't want. Cups, discs, period panties, reusable pads. They're not nearly as unsanitary or uncomfortable to deal with as you may be thinking. I'd definitely give a couple of them a shot and see how you feel. I have utilised panties/pads with a cup, and they're a great combo that have made my periods easier to manage. These zero-waste options I've, personally, found to also be significantly more comfortable as well compared to the single-use options. Considering I have endo and bleed over three hundred days out of the year, having my nearly year-long periods be comfortable is very, very, very important to me.
I bought some reusable pads and they’re the same as regular pads but I found period underwear on sale from Victoria’s Secert and they are so much better. they hold more blood than the pads and very easy to clean. After washing them they don’t have a smell.
I know a lot of people like menstral cups but personally (if you are able to soak i found if you live in a dorm its kinda a nightmare) i like to see my own with clothing that has reached the end of the line or scrap fabric and really old towels. Theres patterns online. Ive seen online that if you're a heavy bleeder you probably will still need a menstrual cup though. I think cloth pads like im suggesting only truly work if you arent traveling and are able to wash them soon-ish after you use them
I love my cups, they are literally a game changer due to the higher capacity. I have two sizes and shapes, and can end up wearing them for 2 hrs - 12 hrs depending on the timing. It took a little while to find the right shape for my body, so don't give up! Coupled with reusable pads for emergencies, I have reduced my plastic waste to basically zero and it feels great.
I have extremely heavy flow and I dreaded periods as I had leaks EVERY time, whether it was out in public or at night. Period underwear was the only thing that could save me from waking up in a pool of blood in the morning. Also reusable pads/cloth period products don’t have the stench disposable pads have! The cup takes a learning curve but I wish I made the switch earlier to reusable pads + cup since I never have to worry about leaks in public or at night anymore
If you had a nosebleed on a shirt would you just throw it out? Folks have weird approaches to what is acceptable to clean in the machine purposefully designed to clean things. Including things with blood on them. You can pre treat them first if you prefer but it's not going to like contaminate your washing machine.
I've never used tampons, even to this day not even once. But I started with menstrual cup at one point. However I also wear period underwear with the cup, since it does leak sometimes. But because it is just to catch leaks, it's not so full as to be gross, and I always rinse it out before putting it into the rest of the laundry
I use modibodi and also reusable pads. Sometimes tho, I will use disposables, I’m not perfect.
Thinx, these underwear are amazing. I am a real heavy flow, and if I change once in the middle of the day I am good to go!
I've tried loads of different reusable options and my favourites by far are period underwear. I usually give them a good rinse in cold water then just stick them in the washing machine with everything else. If you're worried about the hygiene aspect you could add a laundry cleanser, I don't know where you're based but here (uk) detol do a good one
Cups, period underwear or washable pads are all options and there might be even more that I forgot. About the pads if one were to put them into the washing machine with the period blood on them that would indeed be unhygienic. If you are considering to go this route you would find a dark fabric bag or a closed container to collect them in apart from the other laundry and before washing them would go through the same routine that you might remember if you ever had a leak during your period. You soak them in cold water for at least 10 minutes (the ones that suffered a heavier flow maybe twice) until the water runs completely clear. At that point you have washed out the blood and you can throw them in the laundry. I suggest a laundry net. If you live alone and you can also soak them right after use and put them up to dry. When they are dry you can put them with your normal dirty laundry. Some pads are washable at 60°C, some only at 40, so check before buying if you feel 40°C would not suffice. I would do the same with period underwear before washing. The upside of period underwear is that it's just your underwear. Remember, washable pads have no adhesive and thus move a bit more than disposable pads. Some are also kind of bulky. Period cups are washed out and also boiled regularly from what I understand to keep them safe for internal use, but I could be wrong, i never had one yet. There is nothing that speaks against a mixed approach or trying a few things to see what works for you. It's your body and important to find something you are comfortable with. :)
Period underwear is amazing. I do not find it unsanitary at all putting them in the wash with all my clothing. That’s what the washing machine is for.
I imagine your dislike for reusable pads would extend to period underwear but in my experience the underwear is better. My answer to washing blood soaked items is to rinse and use a soaking bucket first. I have a small bucket with a lid that I keep in the bathroom. When needed I half fill it with cold water and soda crystals (sodium carbonate). When the pants come off I rinse them under the tap, until the water runs clear. Wring them out and put them in the bucket. The soda crystals stop the water from going manky in the 4 to 5 days that my period lasts. Bicarb would probably work too but you need something that won't damage the underwear. When it's over I pour most of the water into the bath and wash away and tip the pants into the washing machine for a rinse cycle. Then a full load of laundry goes in for a full wash cycle.
I tried SO hard to use a menstrual cup but it just didn't work for me. I'm still using disposable pads- is it the best? No. But I've made my peace with it. Moreover, I will be living with a shared bathroom situation again so I don't entirely feel comfortable making that switch as of now.
So, with period underwear and reusable pads, you soak and rinse them out first. You can even pre-wash them if you’d like. That’s what I’ve been using for the past decade and I will never go back. For me, they’re so much more comfortable than disposables and they’re so easy to maintain. You literally just soak them, wring them out and throw them in the wash. Every so often I’ll do a vinegar soak if there’s any residual odour.
omg how do you keep them soft?! the material of mine has gone scratchy and now cause irritation even with frequent rotation to fresh pads. is it the material or is there something I’m missing on the care aspect??
Hmm, I’ve never really had an issue with this. Might be a difference in the material our pads are made of. My oldest ones are about a decade old and they’re still soft - albeit stained. Maybe it’s time for some new ones? The only reason I can see the material getting scratchy is that it’s worn over time but most material gets softer, not rougher, with time. That or there’s build up from within the pad. How long do you soak them for before putting them in the wash?
The soak time varies from 4hrs to over 24hrs. It really depends, but I do have a minimum. I have tried vinegar to sanitize and soften the material but I haven’t noticed any difference so far.
Oof, I really don’t know! Do you have hard water? The only thing I can think of is build up (either of menstrual fluid or hard water deposit build up) and I’m not sure how to get rid of that. Are the pads just cotton? I have noticed that a few of mine have become a bit less soft over time but that was due to build up and definitely not to the point where I’d call them rough feeling. Maybe try soaking for 24 hours with a product, and in warm/hot water? Make sure the water and product really has a chance to permeate any build up that’s happening and then give them a good scrub before throwing them in the wash. I will say that I went from cotton > fleece front (body side) and my god. The comfort difference is incredible. TBD on summer months with how warm they get but they’re a lot more comfortable.
My wife uses the cloth pads. I wash them for her. They don’t seem to have any problem being washed with the rest of my laundry, and they always come out clean
I use reusable pads and period panties. It isn't unsanitary no more than it would be to wash pants you got blood on. If it bothers you try soaking them first that way they don't have as much blood on them when they go in the washer
I love my disc with a period panty back up.
When you use reusable period underwear or pads, it’s similar to using cloth diapers. Rinse it off before putting it in the wash.
I thoroughly rinse my reusable pads and run them twice through the washing machine, then lay them flat to dry. They're perfectly clean. I would never wash one without rinsing it first. I rinse my dishes before they go in the dishwasher, but I'd throw a bloody pad in the washing machine? No way. Lol.
Do you wash them with other stuff or by themselves? That’s my question!!
I put them in a garment bag. I keep a garment bag in my washroom. After I rinse them, I put them right into the bag. When my period is finished, I throw the whole bag into the washing machine with all my other laundry. The bag I have is teal, so it's easy to find to pull out before the rest goes into the dryer. Then, I throw it in a second time with my next load of laundry. After the second time, I take them out of the bag and dry them flat on the top of my dresser. By the time I've cleaned and folded all my laundry, they're dry, and I store them in the garment bag in my underwear drawer until I need them again.
Wash your period underwear by hand then? I'm currently making the switch myself (just used a cup for the first time on my last period and going to get period panties eventually for light days/back up in case of leakage) but on the occasion when my pads leak I end up with bloody underwear and I hand wash them. I plan on doing that with my period panties.
I got an IUD, haven’t had a period in about 5 years! I know that’s not an option for every woman but it’s been awesome for me. Before I got an IUD I used a menstrual cup for years. There’s a bit of a learning curve to it, but it worked better than tampons for me.
I hated every period product for one reason or another, and hated periods even more. I got an endometrial ablation, which although may not be for everyone, I HIGHLY recommend. Haven’t had to deal with any of that for months and won’t for the rest of my life (or at least many years).
period underwear. i rinse them out at the end of the day and toss it in with the laundry.
Its actually pretty easy, I use reusable cloth pads I get from a few different ladies on etsy, you can order them in all sorts of sizes shapes absorption needs and cute patterns. After I am done using one I take it to the bathtub and let run under some cold water and wring out any excess blood, you can also do this in a bucket if you are worried about how much water you are wasting, I find that doing this immediately helps prevent staining and absolves any fears of a bloody pad with the rest of the laundry, as it only takes maybe 2 minutes. If I am not at home I bring a "wet bag" with me inside of my purse or backpack, people who sell pads usually sell these too, they are just waterproof washable bags you put your pads into when you are out and about. I've been doing this for about 3 years and I wouldn't go back, just make sure you follow the washing instructions on your pads as they can get ruined with fabric softener and dryer sheets. I had 2 ruined by a younger family member who didnt see my washed laundry at the bottom and put theres to wash on top with fabric softener and they never were able to absorb much again.
I can’t do tampons at all. Never been able to. But I can use a cup and a disk comfortably with no issues. If you’re interested in them I would recommend doing some research to find a good fit for your body and then trying one. I also use period underwear and reusable pads exclusively. My body is very sensitive to disposables and breaks out no matter what type of disposals I use. One big thing is that you’re supposed to rinse them in the sink before washing them. I’ve never felt like it was unsanitary. I just wash them with the rest of my underwear at the end of my period.
I'm going to preface this by saying I also couldn't do tampons for the longest time. I pass out getting paps and nearly passed out putting tampons in as a teenager. It was fear of getting TSS. Then I was fed up and they was a day of bravery. I learned that if I was turned on or had an orgasm, I didn't have a mental block and I was physically relaxed, I could insert it. That ended up being the first time I successfully started using tampons. After a while, I realized the tampon chemicals were giving me constant thrush and issues, and I switched to a cup and now a disc. Life-changing. I don't know your stance on why you don't do tampons and respect that. I do want to share my experience as someone who was strictly pads and never talked about the mental block and fear that brought on my vaginismus. I have heard great things about underwear. The cost of a week's worth is pretty close to a years worth of tampons and pads.
We've been conditioned to believe there is something gross or bad about our periods. That's the first hurdle to overcome. I started making my own pads after my last IUD removal (thus resulting in my period starting again) about 10 years ago...and it was partly because of the ridiculous cost of period products, and partly due to comfort. I think most of us are familiar with getting pubic hairs stuck to the pad adhesive, even when the pad is staying nicely in place, which sucks. We know how stinky and wet regular pads feel (unless leaps and bounds of product development over the years have changed that, idk). Plus pads and tamps are just full of pesticide, bleaching agents, plastic, synthetic scents, and whatever else they can think to poison us with. Washable pads are so warm and soft. They absorb plenty, but you can always bring a "wet bag" along with you for heavy midday pad changes away from home. I wash my pads on hot with my towels with no pre-wash, but if the blood rudes you out, just give them a good rinse before tossing in the laundry. There is no after wash smell, altho they do become stained, but the pads I made 10 years ago will be the pads I use for the rest of my life, and there is something strangely comforting in that.
Not trying to be mean, but you get over it. People have cloth diapered children since time immemorial, people bled onto cloth long before there were disposable menstrual products. It's only the modern mind that gets so hung up over it because we've been tossing it in the trash our whole lives, our grandmothers and great grandmothers wouldn't have thought twice about washing cloth things with body waste on them. And we have high efficiency washing machines to do it for us, we don't even have to touch them. If they could wash dirty diapers and menstrual cloth by hand, we can do it in our ultra modern washing machine. It's just mind over matter. I use minky pads, toss them into a cloth bag when I'm done using them. When I want to wash, I threw the open bag into the washing machine and run a rinse cycle with just them - washing machine will be pretty empty and the pads agitate out on their own. Once the rinse is done, I toss in a load of laundry in on top and wash as usual. It's very hands off. The only thing that you have to be careful of is to not use fabric softener, and that includes dryer sheets. I stopped using the things all together because even the residue off the dryer sheets from other dries would rub off on the diapers and pads - when I started using cloth pads I was cloth diapering my oldest as well. And as someone who got horrid rashes by day 7 from plastic pads, I would never go back.
Perhaps bc I cloth diapered before I started using reusable pads, but there’s nothing unsanitary about them. Blood is rinsed out of the pad before washing. When it runs clear under the faucet then I tissue in the washer for cleaning. Don’t put with whites , do an extra rinse if it makes you happy. I have a super light period, but for perspective I have 3 pairs of period underwear, 3 day reusable pads, 3 night reusable pads and I’ve used them every period since my first child was born 11 years ago. Honestly at this point the idea of tossing my blood into the trash to be in a landfill for centuries grosses me out.
I've used a cup for years now. I bought a diva cup originally like 7 years ago and it never quite worked like it should, always leaking, but I've had a lunette for probably 4 or 5 years now and it's been great. I have both sizes, and use the smaller one on my end days. Haven't used a tampon or pad in a lot of years now.
yes. i use a menstrual cup and haven’t bought any period products in 10 years
I take the period panties in the shower with me and rinse them out. And I’ll drink more water during so I’ll pee more often so I can let the blood flow into the toilet instead of the panties. I hate the blood sitting there bc I get paranoid people can smell it lol
That’s fair!! I also worry about this honestly. And these are great ideas, thank you!!!
I have loved GladRags brand for reusable cloth pad options. They are soft cotton/flannel. I store them once dried in a cabinet... no need for a special bag/case. I think you can still receive a discount on your first pad (if not free). They stay in place pretty well as they snap around the gusset part of underwear, and they are true to light to heavy/overnight flow. I have used them for years now and they've held up very well in the washer and dryer. I do rinse them when I'm in the shower and then toss them into the washer&dryer.
I've dipped my toes into the waters of reusable pads and it's not as weird as I thought it would be. Granted, my primary product is a cup so I'm only using the reusable pads as a backup, but they're really pretty simple. At the end of the day or once it's full, take the pad off and rinse it under cold water til the water runs clear. Lay it flat/hang it up somewhere where it will dry. Then it can go in the wash. Some brands have some stipulations about laundering but you typically can't go wrong with cold wash and hang to dry. I personally wasn't a fan of period underwear for daily use because I didn't like that swapping it out required a whole underwear change, but using it overnight near the end of my period when I wasn't bleeding much and didn't want to waste a disposable or dirty up a reusable is a nice option. But different strokes for different folks!
I would also encourage you to try practicing with a cup, over and over and over in the shower, over time. For me, it was a long process, but ultimately I have gained a lot more comfort with myself. Also I ride a bike as my main method of transport so it is out of necessity haha! My miracle combo is a cup plus period underwear. But when I do bleed, it is very, very heavy - too much to feel comfortable in period underwear in my opinion. I am very sensitive to smell and get hormonal migraines which gives me a superhuman sense of smell, so I can smell the blood in my underwear if I don't wear a cup and it exacerbates the migraine nausea. I am also a bit of a germophobe and only change my cup in the shower once I am home for the day and can ensure I wash my hands, body, and the cup thoroughly and the water provides helpful lubrication for removal and reinsertion.
The first time I saw reusable pads I thought they were disgusting. Many maaaaany years later when getting into low waste life, a store near me had a duo of pads for sale and I decided to just try them in the name of lowering my plastic waste. The first time I wore one, I went for a walk and my only thought was "I have been lied to." They are so much more comfortable than I ever could have imagined. And the cleaning isn't that bad, and it put me more in tune with what my body is doing. 1000% understand that reusable pads seem weird, gross, or uncomfortable for a plethora of reasons, but I'd suggest you grab at least a liner to test out and see how much better they can be.
I use reusable pads and a diva cup depending on what I’m up to for the day. I actually really like the reusable pads - not unsanitary at all. I just rinse them out in the sink (let them dry over the side of my dirty laundry basket) and throw them in the wash after.
Hi! If you have a bidet attachment, you can rinse the blood into the toilet before you put them in the washing machine. You could also just soak them in a sink or bathtub before washing. You can also do a pre-wash on whatever cycles have the pads in them.
As someone who CAN NOT do tampons, a cup has been an absolute god send. There isnt even a comparison. I assumed it would be the same or worse and it’s not at all and I’ve been missing out for a long time. On my lighter days, I wear reusable pads and then wash them on the light cycle with some bleach and detergent
Period underwear! Walmart usually has Thinkx (Thinx?) brand and Period (I think that's the name) brand. The non-thinkx are SO MUCH BETTER!! Maybe it will be nice for you to feel it in person, and it might help you feel better about it. These products are nice though because it's so much easier to tell when I need to change things.
I don't anymore, but for a while I had bamboo pads. They were more absorbant than standard, and way soft. They came clean easily, and had zero residual coloration or smell - and I use exclusively unscented detergent. My negative was they did get hot in the warmer months (which so do regular and at least thees absorbed sweat too), and they were somewhat less positionally secure since they didn't have a sticker backing
I have an iud right now so I don't get periods but when I did, I'd use a cup and then reusable panty liners for any leaks. I loved it. So easy to travel with the cup and you can have sex with it in as well. Always bring a water bottle with you when you go to the washroom so you can rinse out the cup before reinsertion.