How to wash period panties: a complete care guide
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Time to read 9 min
Period underwear has revolutionized periods for so many women! Practical, reliable, eco-friendly, soft, absorbent, discreet, and comfortable, menstrual underwear has so many great qualities! To keep them for a long time and maintain their absorbency, proper care is essential. How should you wash period underwear? What are the right steps and products to thoroughly clean them without causing damage? As we know, period underwear is as absorbent as it is delicate. You need to take good care of it to make it last! Care, rinsing, washing, drying—here’s a complete guide to caring for period underwear. Detergent, soap, water temperature, machine cycle length—we’ve tried to be as detailed as possible and give you lots of info! You’ll know absolutely EVERYTHING about keeping these precious everyday allies effective and comfortable, cycle after cycle. 🌸
In this article, you’ll find:
I- Why Menstrual Underwear Deserves Our Attention 💕 III - How to Wash Your Period Panties: Step-by-Step Guide 💧 1. Immediate rinse with cold water: a crucial step 2. Soaking is optional but recommended 3. Main wash: detailed techniques By hand: gentle cleaning technique 👐 Machine wash: optimize the cycle to preserve absorbency 🧺 4. Proper drying to preserve absorbency ☀️ IV - Detergents and suitable products: a guide to choosing 🧴 Recommended detergents
Products you should absolutely avoid 🚫
VIII - Practical tips for daily organization 📝 IX - Conclusion: take care of your period underwear so it takes care of you 💞 FAQ: Caring for menstrual underwear
I- Why Menstrual Underwear Deserves Our Attention 💕
Period panties are truly revolutionary in how we experience our periods. These special underwear, made with absorbent materials like organic cotton, collect menstrual flow without leaking or overflowing, while offering unmatched comfort.
Healthier than a tampon, more comfortable than a pad, period underwear lets us have a calmer, more peaceful period. You feel protected and pretty in this lingerie that’s as soft as it is absorbent.
Unlike disposable products (tampons and pads), these reusable menstrual products can last over 5 years with proper care. It’s not only economical, but also eco-friendly. By using reusable products, we drastically reduce our menstrual waste.
To keep your period panties as absorbent and soft as possible, cycle after cycle, proper care is essential. Good washing ensures perfect hygiene and significantly extends the life of your protection.
On the other hand, poorly cared-for panties are unhygienic. Dried menstrual flow gets trapped in the absorbent layer and will block absorption for future uses.
Louloucup recommends ...
- The Leo period panty for very heavy flow! Rawr! 🐯
- Made in Portugal.
- Available in sizes XXS to 3XL.
- Beautiful and stylish leopard print.
- Absorbency equivalent to 4 tampons.
- Made from certified organic cotton.
- Ultra soft and ultra comfortable!
- Can be worn day or night.
- Super discreet.
- Perfect for light, medium, and heavy flow.
II - The different types of period panties and their features 🌈
Before we talk about washing, it’s important to understand the differences between models that can affect how you care for them. At Louloucup, we offer several ranges to suit different needs.
Depending on the absorbency level:
- for light flow (equivalent to 1-2 tampons);
- for medium flow (equivalent to 2–3 tampons);
- for heavy or very heavy flow (equivalent to 4-5 tampons).
Depending on the materials:
- organic cotton inside and out (like our Lucie model, which is very breathable);
- organic cotton + various fabrics and materials (nylon, elastane, bamboo, etc.).
The composition of your period underwear partly determines how to care for it. Organic cotton models like those from Louloucup are especially easy to clean while being extremely gentle on sensitive skin.
"So happy I finally made the switch to period underwear! Amazing product, super comfortable to wear. I forget I even have my period. It lasts 12 hours with no problem, even with a very heavy flow on day 2. I specifically chose this one for nighttime. No more unpleasant odors and zero leaks. And it’s way easier to care for than I thought." Marion G.
III - How to wash period underwear: step-by-step method 💧
Washing period underwear requires a bit more attention than regular underwear, but it’s not complicated! Here’s our step-by-step method:
1. Immediate rinse with cold water: a crucial step
As soon as you take off your period underwear, rinse it with cold water. Why cold? Because hot water sets blood stains instead of removing them. Run cold tap water through the fabric until it runs clear. This first step makes the full wash much easier. While rinsing, you can gently press with the palm of your hand, back and forth, to help release trapped menstrual flow.
2. Soaking is optional but recommended
For optimal cleaning, soak your panties in a container of cold water for 1 to 2 hours. You can add a few drops of mild soap or Marseille soap. This step isn’t mandatory but is especially helpful on heavy flow days.
3. Main wash: detailed techniques
By hand: gentle cleaning technique 👐
Handwashing has the advantage of being gentle and avoids the harshness of your machine’s drum. It’s ideal for taking care of your period underwear on a daily basis. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Preparation
- Use a dedicated small basin or a clean sink.
- Prepare some cold water (about 68°F/20°C).
- Keep your gentle soap close at hand.
- Special soaps for washing are available on the market.
- Optional: latex gloves if you’d prefer not to rough up your hands.
Optimal rubbing technique
- Initial soaking: completely submerge your underwear in cold water.
- Applying the soap: put a small amount of soap directly on the stained areas (the absorbent part).
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Gentle rubbing:
- Use your thumbs to gently rub in small circular motions.
- Focus on stained areas without ever scrubbing harshly.
- Handle the absorbent fabric by gently pressing it between your fingers instead of wringing it! -
Step-by-step rinsing:
- Rinse first under a stream of cold water.
- Keep going until the water runs completely clear.
- Gently press (don’t wring) to remove excess water.
Recommended soaps for hand washing
- Pure Marseille soap: the classic, effective choice with no additives. The downside is that it can be too greasy.
- Aleppo soap: naturally antibacterial, ideal for intimate hygiene.
- Gall soap: perfect for stubborn stains, to be used occasionally.
- pH-neutral soaps: specially formulated for delicate fabrics.
Machine wash: optimize the cycle to preserve absorbency 🧺
Machine washing is convenient, especially at the end of your menstrual cycle for a thorough clean. Here’s how to optimize it: Preparation before machine washing
- Pre-rinsing required: always rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
- Protecting your underwear: Place your period underwear in a fine-mesh laundry bag (like the kind used for delicate lingerie).
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Laundry sorting:
- wash your period panties with your usual dirty laundry.
- avoid lint-producing fabrics like terry towels.
- exclude clothes with zippers or hooks that could damage the fibers.
Optimal washing machine settings
- Temperature: 86°F max, ideally 68°F.
- Program: delicate cycle or special underwear/lingerie cycle.
- Spin: set to a maximum of 600-800 rpm.
- Duration: stick to short cycles (30–40 minutes).
- Options to avoid: No pre-wash, no heavy cycles, no hot water!
4. Proper drying to preserve absorbency ☀️
Drying is an often-overlooked but crucial step:
Always air dry, never tumble dry!
Avoid direct sun exposure, which can damage the fibers.
Choose a well-ventilated area.
Make sure your underwear is completely dry before putting it away.
Avoid any direct heat sources (even if you’re tempted to speed up drying): no radiators, no hair dryers, etc.
Laying your period underwear flat to dry is ideal for preserving its shape and elasticity.
IV - Detergents and suitable products: a guide to choosing 🧴
Recommended detergents
Eco-friendly detergents without enzymes: they clean effectively without damaging fibers.
Special detergents for delicate fabrics: formulated to protect sensitive materials.
Grated Marseille soap: a natural, budget-friendly alternative (1 tablespoon per wash).
Baby laundry detergent: generally gentle and free from harmful additives.
Products you should absolutely avoid 🚫
Fabric softeners: they create a waterproof layer that reduces absorbency.
Bleach and pure hydrogen peroxide: too harsh for fibers and elastics.
Detergents with bleaching agents: damage absorbent properties.
Baby laundry detergent: generally gentle and free from harmful additives.
Powerful antibacterial detergents: unnecessary and potentially harmful to fabrics.
V- Tips and tricks for optimal care ✨
Louloucup recommendations to extend the life of your period underwear:
- To eliminate odors: add a tablespoon of baking soda to the soaking water.
- To maintain absorbency: absolutely avoid fabric softeners, which create a waterproof film on the fibers.
- Between cycles: store your clean, dry underwear in a well-ventilated place—never in an airtight container.
Regular care prevents odors and keeps your period underwear absorbent.
Our plus-size selection (2XL to 5XL)
VI - Specific techniques for special situations 🔍
To tackle stubborn stains:
Pre-treatment with gall soap
- Slightly dampen the stained area.
- Gently rub with gall soap.
- Let it sit for 15-30 minutes (no longer, to preserve the fibers).
- Rinse, then wash as usual.
Baking soda and vinegar method
- Sprinkle the stain with baking soda.
- Spray a little diluted white vinegar (50/50 with water).
- Let it foam for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly, then wash as usual.
VII - How to adjust washing based on the type of period underwear 🌈
Each type of period underwear may require adjustments in the washing process:
Organic cotton underwear (like our Léo model):
- holds up well to machine washing,
- can be washed up to 104°F (40°C) occasionally (always prefer 86°F (30°C) if possible!),
- quick drying, usually in 4-6 hours.
Panties with double-layered technical membrane (like our model Mathilde) :
- prefers more frequent hand washing,
- strict maximum temperature of 30°C (86°F),
- Longer drying time, allow 8-12 hours.
Panties with lace or decorative details (like our model Mia) :
- always use a protective net,
- opt for very short cycles and delicate laundry,
- avoid any vigorous rubbing on decorative parts.
VIII - Practical tips for daily organization 📝
To make caring for your period underwear easier every day, follow our practical tips.
1 - Prepare a washing kit that includes:
A small dedicated basin.
A special soap or detergent.
A clean laundry bag.
A microfiber towel for the initial drying.
2 - Set up a routine:
In the morning: rinse the underwear you wore the day before.
During the day: soaking if needed.
At night: wash thoroughly and let dry.
3- Ideal rotation:
With 3-5 pairs of period underwear, you can easily rotate between wearing and washing without stress—but you do need to be a bit diligent with care.
IX - Conclusion: take care of your period underwear so it takes care of you 💞
Knowing how to properly wash period underwear is essential to get the most out of this revolutionary period protection.
With proper care, your Louloucup period panties will last you over 5 years, offering comfort and security while protecting the planet.
Don’t forget: simple steps like rinsing immediately with cold water, gentle washing, and air drying make all the difference. Your body and the planet will thank you for this eco-friendly and budget-friendly choice.🌿
Our selection of medium-flow period underwear 🤩
FAQ: Caring for menstrual underwear
Can I wash my period panties with my regular laundry?
Yes, as long as you put them in a laundry bag and use a gentle detergent without fabric softener. However, avoid washing them with clothes that have zippers, as these could damage the fabric.
How often should I change my period underwear?
It depends on your flow, but generally every 12 hours at most. For heavy flows, changing every 4 to 6 hours may be necessary.
How do I care for my period underwear while traveling?
Rinse them with cold water, squeeze them out in a towel, then store them in a waterproof pouch until you get home. Here’s a practical tip: bring our menstrual cup, which takes up less space when you travel!
Should I sterilize my period underwear like I do with menstrual cups?
No, careful washing is enough, unlike menstrual cups which require sterilization. Washing at 30°C with a mild soap effectively removes bacteria.
