Cost-effective, comfortable and sustainable, reusable sanitary pads are a great alternative to non-degradable and potentially irritating disposable pads.
The only real downside is that you have to clean them between uses. But thankfully, it’s easier than you think!
So, if you’re thinking of switching to cloth pads, keep reading. Below we’ll teach you how to wash reusable sanitary pads, with several different techniques to suit your preference.
That way, you can rest assured that you’ll have stain-free and fresh-smelling pads on hand whenever you need them.
Should You Soak Reusable Pads?
When removing period blood from fabric, it’s a good idea to pre-treat the item. The first option is to rinse each soiled pad in cold water to remove the majority of the blood after use.
Simply run each one under the tap, gently pressing out the excess until the water runs clear. Then you can launder them straight away with other items or leave them to air dry and wash later.
If you spot a stubborn stain while you’re rinsing – common on light coloured pads – treat it with a bleach-free stain remover.
Or you could scrub it with a natural bicarbonate of soda paste, then rinse well in cold water. Either way, run through a wash cycle immediately afterwards.
Another option is to you can collect your used pads over several days in a sealed waterproof menstrual bag, then soak them before laundering.
Fill a bucket or sink with cold water and half a cup of white vinegar. Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Try a small amount of bicarb instead.
Then soak the pads for 30 minutes (or an hour if they’re heavily stained) to help lift the blood from the fabric. Once time’s up, gently wring them out before adding to your washing machine.
Alternatively, if you’re short on time, you could add a cold pre-rinse onto your usual wash cycle. This isn’t quite as effective, but it will help to loosen dried blood stains if you haven’t had a chance to pre-treat them. Just be sure to wash the pads alone to prevent stains transferring.
Tip: avoid soaking pads for an extended period of time as bacteria and odours can build up.
How Do You Machine-Wash Reusable Sanitary Pads?
As mentioned earlier, most cloth pads are machine washable, making the cleaning process very straightforward.
After pre-treatment, simply toss them into the drum of your washing machine and add the recommended dose of detergent.
We’d suggest using a non-bio formula in this instance, despite blood being a protein-based stain, as biological cleaners can irritate the skin.
Likewise, many people add Vanish Stain Removal Powder to the wash to brighten stained pads. This can also be especially useful if the pads aren’t pre-treated prior to laundering.
If you feel this is needed, run an extra rinse cycle at the end to ensure all residue is removed.
Otherwise, opt for your usual detergent and a 40°C laundry cycle. The warm water should offer enough cleaning power to remove the blood, provided the pads have been pre-rinsed.
Meanwhile, a hotter setting could set the stain into the fabric permanently, so avoid those.
You should also skip fabric softener as it adds a waxy layer that reduces absorbency – much like with towels. In its place, add half a cup of white vinegar to the drawer compartment to soften the material. Vinegar also breaks down leftover soap, kills germs and reduces odours.
Another thing to bear in mind when determining how to wash reusable sanitary pads is selecting the right spin setting.
As cloth pads are designed to be absorbent, they have a thick layer of fabric at their core. When washed, this section can retain a lot of water, so you’ll need a relatively fast spin to remove it.
With that said, we wouldn’t advise using your washer’s top speed as you don’t want to damage the pads. In most cases, 1000 rpm is ideal.
Tip: when washing cloth pads with other items, pop them in a laundry bag. This will stop them getting tangled up or lost in larger clothing, and protect them from getting caught on zips etc.
How Do You Wash Cloth Menstrual Pads by Hand?
If you’re travelling and don’t have access to a washing machine, cleaning pads by hand is also a viable option. Or you might simply prefer to launder them that way – it can even prolong their life. However, you should aim to deep clean in the washer at least once every two months.
To wash reusable sanitary pads by hand, start by rinsing in cold water as above. Next, fill your sink with warm water and add some mild hand washing detergent. Submerge the pads in the soapy water and gently agitate them to work the solution into the fibres. Pay extra attention to heavily stained areas, rubbing the fabric vigorously against itself to remove the blood.
Then, leave the pads to soak in the mixture for a further 30 minutes, before rinsing them thoroughly.
To do this, remove each pad one at a time and rinse them under the tap until the water runs clear. Finally, wring the excess water out gently, focusing on the absorbent centre.
The Best Way to Dry Reusable Sanitary Pads
After washing your cloth pads, either manually or in the machine, take a moment to uncrumple and reshape them. That way, you won’t have to worry about ironing them to ensure they lay flat once dry.
You can then line dry them in the sun so the UV rays can sanitise them further.
Or you can dry them indoors on a rack or using a sock dryer. Placing them close to a radiator or inside an airing cupboard works best. But we’d suggest avoiding direct heat or the tumble dryer as your pads could shrink.
If they are deemed dryer safe, stick to the low heat setting and remove them while they’re still slightly damp. Then finish them off in the airing cupboard and make sure your reusable pads are bone dry before storing them away for next time.
A proud Yorkshire lass with a love for movies, music and cosy nights in! Once a self-confessed avoider of cleaning, she’s always on the lookout for new ways to make household chores as quick and simple as possible.
