Care and washing tips for your reusable sanitary pads

The biggest barrier when considering switching to reusable sanitary pads is undoubtedly their upkeep, and in particular the washing. This step can seem daunting at first glance. Rest assured, it really isn't — caring for reusable sanitary pads is actually quite straightforward! You just need the right method and the right tools.

Which detergent should you use to wash your reusable sanitary pads?

We advise against using Marseille soap containing glycerine, or black soap, as they saturate the fibres and reduce their absorbency. For the same reason, we advise against using conventional fabric softeners. We also advise against stain removers, whether chemical or even natural (washing soda crystals, etc.). For washing your pads, the ideal choice is a detergent soap, an organic laundry detergent, or sodium percarbonate. You can also use our homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe for cloth diapers. It will not alter the absorbency of your pads if it is made with a glycerine-free soap such as Marius Fabre Marseille soap. Furthermore, Tea Tree essential oil is recognised for its anti-fungal properties and will help prevent recurrence if you are prone to thrush.

Before the first use of your reusable sanitary pads

Like all textile products, we recommend machine-washing your reusable sanitary pads before wearing them. You can do a second wash to increase their absorbency.

How to wash your reusable sanitary pads?

Pre-washing: an essential step!

The secret to getting your pads looking spotless again is pre-washing. This must be done in cold water, as hot water sets the blood and makes it very difficult to remove. This step will rinse the blood from the pad. Ideally, rinse your pad as soon as you remove it. If any traces remain, you can treat it with a mild detergent soap, then rinse thoroughly. Hang your pad out to dry while you wait to do a full wash. After this step, your pad is clean and you can wear it again once it is dry. However, we do recommend doing a higher-temperature wash at the end of your period.

Another, more eco-friendly method is to fill a small bucket with water, add a little sodium percarbonate and soak the pads in it. Do make sure to change the water at least every 24 hours to limit the growth of bacteria and unpleasant odours.

If you are not comfortable with blood, you can store your sanitary pads in a waterproof bag. Within 24 hours, carry out a pre-wash in the washing machine. However, there is a greater risk of staining with this method, so it is not the one we recommend. Whatever pre-washing method you have chosen, your sanitary pads now have no blood in them and can be washed without any risk of staining anything else.

Washing: by hand or in the machine?

After pre-washing, you can now machine-wash your sanitary pad along with the rest of your laundry at between 30°C and 60°C (no higher, as this risks damaging the PUL). The friction from the rest of the laundry against your pads will give them a thorough clean. You can also hand-wash your sanitary pads with an ideally organic detergent soap.

How to dry your reusable pads?

The ideal method is to hang them on a line in the sun. This is not only the gentlest and most fabric-friendly method, but also the most eco-friendly. What's more, if the absorbent layer is white, it will also help to whiten it. We advise against using a tumble dryer, as it risks damaging the PUL on your pad.

Deep-cleaning reusable sanitary pads

Like cloth diapers, reusable sanitary pads can become clogged with detergent residue. The symptoms are then the same as for diapers: they become less absorbent, develop an unpleasant odour, and water beads on the surface. In general, a wash without detergent at 60°C on a long cycle is enough to strip reusable pads. Otherwise, soak the pads in warm water with bicarbonate of soda before running them through the machine again at 60°C on a long cycle. We hope this has put your mind at ease about caring for your reusable sanitary pads. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.