Period panties are an absolute game-changer, giving girls the confidence they need to feel comfortable, durable, and leak-proof during their periods. Whether you’re using them for the first time or have been using them for a while, you may be wondering how to keep them clean and effective. Proper care is key to ensuring that period panties last and remain absorbent. I’ve tried different methods and in this guide, I’ll share how to wash your period panties so they stay fresh, hygienic and ready for your next period.
Why is Washing Your Period Underwear So Important?
Proper washing of period underwear is important for many reasons, beyond basic hygiene. First, it ensures the longevity and continued effectiveness of your underwear. Period underwear contains special absorbent layers and leak-proof barriers. Harsh chemicals, hot water, or dryers can degrade these materials, reducing their absorbency and causing them to lose their leak-proof properties sooner than expected.
Proper washing is essential for hygiene and preventing odors. Menstrual blood, like any bodily fluid, can easily breed bacteria if not thoroughly rinsed out. Immediately rinsing with cold water helps rinse away menstrual blood, prevents stains from setting, and inhibits the growth of bacteria that can cause odors. By following the care instructions, you can ensure that your period underwear stays fresh, hygienic, and reliable throughout your period, making it a reliable, comfortable choice and a great value for your investment.
My Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wash Period Underwear (Machine & Hand Washing)
Once you’ve done the initial rinse, you have a couple of options for the main wash: using your washing machine (my preferred method for convenience) or hand washing. Both are effective, as long as you follow the right steps. I’ll walk you through both, detailing exactly how to wash period underwear to ensure cleanliness and care, keeping your Friendtex pairs in excellent condition.
Method 1: Machine Washing (My Go-To for Friendtex Undies)
Machine washing is convenient and efficient, but it requires a few specific precautions to protect your period underwear. This is how I typically handle my load of soiled undies.
What You’ll Need:
- Rinsed period underwear
- Mesh laundry bag (highly recommended!)
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Cold water setting on your washing machine
My Machine-Washing Steps:
- Place in a Mesh Bag: After rinsing, put your period underwear into a mesh laundry bag. This protects them from snagging on zippers or other clothing items in the wash and helps prevent stretching, especially important for maintaining the integrity of the absorbent layers in your undies.
- Load the Machine: Add the mesh bag (or bags) with your period underwear to the washing machine. You can wash them with other dark-colored items, but avoid washing them with delicate items that might get damaged by heavier fabrics.
- Add Gentle Detergent: Use your usual gentle laundry detergent. Avoid detergents with harsh chemicals, fabric softeners, or bleach, as these can break down the absorbent layers and compromise the integrity of the fabric in your Friendtex period underwear.
- Select Cold Water Cycle: Always wash on a cold water cycle. Again, hot water can set stains and damage the specialized materials in your period underwear. A gentle cycle is usually best.
- Skip Fabric Softener & Bleach: I cannot stress this enough – never use fabric softener or bleach on your period underwear. Fabric softener can coat the absorbent fibers, reducing their effectiveness over time. Bleach can degrade the fabric and ruin the leak-proof barrier, significantly shortening the lifespan of your undies.
- Run the Wash: Start your machine and let it do its thing!
Method 2: Hand Washing (Great for Delicates or Travel)
Hand washing is a gentler option that can extend the life of your period underwear even further. It’s also perfect when you’re traveling or only have a few pairs of Friendtex undies to wash.
What You’ll Need:
- Rinsed period underwear (your Friendtex pairs!)
- Clean basin or sink
- Gentle laundry detergent (liquid is usually easiest)
- Cold water
My Hand-Washing Steps:
- Fill Basin with Cold Water: Fill a clean basin or sink with cold water.
- Add Detergent: Add a small amount of gentle laundry detergent to the water and swish it around to dissolve.
- Submerge Underwear: Place your rinsed period underwear into the soapy water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Gently Agitate: Gently swirl and squeeze the underwear to work the detergent through the fabric. Focus on the gusset area, but avoid harsh scrubbing or twisting, which can damage the delicate layers of your Friendtex underwear.
- Soak (Optional): You can let them soak for 10-20 minutes for a deeper clean, especially if they were heavily soiled.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and rinse the underwear under cool, running water until all the soap suds are gone and the water runs clear. Gently squeeze out excess water.
Tips for Washing Period Underwear
To make it super easy, here’s a quick summary of the key things to remember when learning how to wash period underwear, specifically your Friendtex pairs. These are the rules I live by to keep my undies in top shape!
| DO | DON’T |
| Rinse with COLD water immediately. | Use HOT water (sets stains, damages fabric). |
| Use a mesh laundry bag for machine washing. | Use fabric softener (clogs absorbent layers). |
| Use gentle, non-bio detergent. | Use bleach (degrades fabric and waterproof layer). |
| Wash on a COLD, gentle cycle. | Iron (can melt the waterproof layer). |
| AIR DRY only. | Iron (can melt waterproof layer). |
| Wash separately or with similar colors. | Wring aggressively (can damage fibers). |
| Store properly (e.g., folded in a drawer). | Leave un-rinsed for long periods (stains set). |
Troubleshooting Common Period Underwear Washing Issues
Even with the best intentions, sometimes things happen. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and my advice on how to wash period underwear to address them, ensuring your Friendtex undies stay effective.
Problem: Stains That Won’t Go Away
- Solution: If you have a stubborn stain after rinsing your underwear, try pre-treating it with a small amount of gentle stain remover (ensure it’s safe for delicates and doesn’t contain bleach). You can also make a paste with baking soda and a little cold water, apply it to the stain, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then rinse before washing. Always test on an inconspicuous area first!
Problem: Lingering Odor
- Solution: Odor can sometimes be a sign that the underwear wasn’t thoroughly rinsed or that detergent residue has built up. Try an extra rinse cycle or a longer soak. You can also try adding a quarter cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle (instead of detergent, or with half the usual detergent) to help neutralize odors naturally. Ensure your underwear is completely dry before storing it.
Problem: Reduced Absorbency Over Time
- Solution: This is often caused by fabric softener buildup or heat damage from drying. If you’ve been using fabric softener, try a few washes without it and an extra rinse. A vinegar rinse can also help strip away residue. If your underwear has been tumble-dried on high heat, unfortunately, the damage might be irreversible, so always stick to air drying!
How Often Should You Wash Period Underwear?
This largely depends on how you use them and your flow. I treat my Friendtex period underwear like any other underwear – wash after each use.
- After Each Use: For hygiene and effectiveness, I always rinse and then wash my period underwear after each wear.
- During Your Cycle: If you wear multiple pairs in a day, rinse them as you change and then wash them all together when your cycle ends, or whenever you have a full load ready.
- Storage: Make sure your Friendtex period underwear is completely dry before storing it in your drawer to prevent mildew or odors.
Conclusion
Knowing how to wash your period underwear is a seemingly insignificant but rewarding skill that can extend the life of your favorite underwear and ensure they continue to provide reliable protection after your period.
Using reusable period products like Friendtex is an important step towards a more sustainable and comfortable period experience. Giving your period underwear the care it deserves is not only hygienic, it’s also good for the environment, and it saves money in the long run.
Do you have any practical tips for washing your period underwear? Share them in the comments below!
