Sizes, patterns, colours… Menstrual panties are becoming more and more popular in the menstrual protection market and are constantly gaining in popularity. And it’s not for nothing that this underwear is much more comfortable than a tampon and it is also reusable. Practical, ecological and economical period panties can last at least five years if you take good care of them. Especially the washing step is crucial to protect the absorbents. So how do you clean it optimally while maintaining its effectiveness? We tell you the procedure to follow to properly wash your menstrual panties.
Wash your panties before first use
As with any new piece of lingerie, it is recommended that you wash your period panties before first use. This precaution will allow you to eliminate all bacteria associated with the transportation of your panties and is all the more recommended because it is in direct contact with the genitals. But that’s not all, this preventive wash also has a beneficial effect on the effectiveness of your menstrual lingerie. Indeed, it will activate the absorbent fibers of your panties and make them more efficient.
You can wash this first with or without detergent, by hand or in the washing machine (at 30°C or 40°C).
A rinse is essential for every wash!
Menstrual discharge consists mainly of blood, but also of uterine waste and bacteria from the vaginal flora. Thorough cleaning of your menstrual panties is therefore essential to remove these residues and to prevent the build-up of dirt that could lead to an infection of the vaginal wall.
Before moving on to actually washing your menstrual panties, one rule is essential: rinse. Once you take off your absorbent underwear, rinse it thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear. Avoid hot water, which tends to stain panties with blood and stains. After rinsing, your panties are ready to be washed.
Which products to wash your panties?
To properly clean your menstrual briefs, you can wash them by hand or in the washing machine at 30°C. But be aware, not all products are created equal. It is indeed better to ban detergents containing glycerine, Marseille soap or even essential oils that could clog the fibers of your panties… and thus reduce their absorbency. Likewise, it is better not to add fabric softener or fabric softener.
The ideal is to choose an organic and ecological detergent without parabens and without perfume to avoid the risks of irritation of the vaginal mucous membranes.
If you wash your panties in the machine, prefer a “delicate” program and use a linen net to protect your underwear. Finally, to ensure the longevity of your menstrual panties, it is recommended that you do not wash them more than twice in the same cycle. It’s best to rinse them in cool water and wait until the end of the cycle to wash your menstrual panties together, provided you have enough for the entire cycle. If not, try switching to other menstrual products such as a menstrual cup or reusable pads.
Clean if necessary
If you’ve ever washed your period panties with fabric softener, don’t panic! It is only necessary to clean the fabric to separate the fabric softener from the absorbent fibres. This deep cleaning also allows you to maintain your underwear for a long time and to eliminate unpleasant odors.
To perform this scrub, soak your panties for several hours in cold water and percarbonate (available at organic stores). Then wash normally in the machine or by hand to clean and reactivate the absorbent fibers. [1]
Let it dry in the open air
Period panties do not like heat, both during lifting and drying. Drying your panties at a high temperature can indeed damage the absorbent fibers and thus reduce the effectiveness of your periodic protection. Avoid drying in the dryer, on a radiator, with a hair dryer or in direct sunlight.
For ideal drying, put your period panties down and let them air dry in a well-ventilated area. This method means that you can’t necessarily reuse it the next day, so it’s better to stock up on other menstrual panties – or other reusable protection.
Please, you now know the essential steps to properly wash your menstrual panties and make sure they last. Did you like this article? Discover here the advice of journalist Aurélie Godefroy to live your menstrual cycle well.