Are period pants hygienic?

21 April 2022

Yes! Period pants are hygienic, just change in line with your flow. Period pants contain moisture wicking material which keeps you feeling comfortable and leak-free, even with medium flow or on your heavier days.

Regularly changing your period pants, rinsing them and washing at 30 degrees will prevent bacteria building up in them.

Changing every four to eight hours will keep you feeling and smelling fresh, prevent leaks and modern washing machines and detergents will keep them as good as new long term!

Avoid hot water on bloodstains. Washing at high temperatures may set the stains on your period underwear or pads, or your bed sheets and clothes. Washing in cold water or 30 degrees stops the proteins in blood setting as a stain. It's also more environmentally friendly!

Giving a longer wash with your machine 3/4 full will ensure that the pants get agitated sufficiently to remove all blood, preventing bacteria from building up.

Hanging your menstrual pants to dry inside out on your washing line or in a warm ventilated room will ensure they dry quickly, ready to be worn again!

Wearing period pants means you have natural fabrics next to your skin. They replace pads or tampons and feel just like wearing regular underwear and you'll feel dry and comfortable.

This makes them cooler to wear and means your vulva is less likely to overheat as it can with the plastic of disposables, and leads to less chafing and irritation. 

One pair of period underwear can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow and the absorbency level of the pants.

Here's a few other questions we regularly get asked about period pants:

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"Helpful website. Quick service and delivery.Eco friendly. I love the products. The pants fit well and they and the pads are so comfy, not itching or irritation and they are very effective at keeping me feeling safe and dry. So much better than disposables." Trustpilot Review

Our washable period pants come in over a dozen styles, from skimpy thongs to full coverage high rise underwear, from boy shorts to lacy soft bamboo knickers. Whether you have light periods or heavy periods, in sizes 2 to 24 we have a style to suit everyone - with plus sizes on the way. 

You can choose from a combination of different - 

  • Feels - jersey, satin, bamboo
  • Styles - thong, high leg, control, brazilian, boy short, full brief, hipster and more!
  • Rises - low, mid and high waisted
  • Absorbencies - light flow, moderate flow, heavy flow / incontinence

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Are period pants safe?

Yes period pants are safe. Because they are external period protection rather than internal like tampons, there is no risk of toxic shock syndrome, no matter how high the absorbency.

However before you purchase period pants, it's worth checking that the brand you're purchasing doesn't contain PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) which have potential health risks. 

Cheeky Pants have been certified free of PFAS, so you can purchase our pants with peace of mind!

How to wash period pants

To wash period pants:

  1. Rinse your period pants
  2. Soak or dry pail your period undies
  3. Wash your period knickers
  4. Dry your period pants

1. Rinse your period pants

When you change your menstrual underwear, you should give them a rinse in the sink (or shower if you are having one) until the water runs clear. If you are out and about, pop them in a wetbag and rinse when you get home. 

 

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2. Soak or Dry pail your period pants

You can then leave your reusable menstrual pants or other reusable menstrual products to soak or dry pail them until washing. The mini strucket or soaking box are great if you want to rinse and soak but also work well as dry pails. Wet bags can be used for dry pailing too!

 

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3. Wash period pants preferably in the washing machine

Wash in your washing machine on a longer wash in cold water or maximum 30 degrees with a full dose of your normal detergent and no fabric softener. Fabric softener works by coating fabrics to make them feel super soft, however this can build up on period pants and reduce absorbency. 

We find that powder is the most effective for washing sanitary products including period underwear and period pads. The extra work of hand washing is not as effective as the agitation from a machine but will work in an emergency!  If you do need to hand wash, just plain old soap and water works well.

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4. Dry your period pants

Dangling your period pants inside out will help them dry quickly. In the summer months, proudly flying them on your washing line will get them dry in no time, and in the winter months when you need to dry inside, have them near but not touching a heat source - radiator or heated airer when drying other washing - or in your airing cupboard.

We find using a pegged sock hanger works really well. Try to avoid tumble dryers as they can damage the waterproof lining of your pants.

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Can you wash period underwear with other clothes?

Yes, you can wash period underwear with other clothes. As you have rinsed your pants clear of blood, they are fine to go in with ANY other washing that you have waiting, no need to wash alone and cause extra energy use.

I have been washing reusable period products alongside the families washing for 12 years with no issues and the family are none the wiser. You really can pop the kids uniform in with them! 

Our website has all the resources you need to wash and care for your period pants. We have combinations of pants, pads, soaking boxes, wetbags and everything else you might need in kits on the site.

We hope you've enjoyed our Cheeky guide on whether period pants are hygienic and that if you haven't tried a pair yet, you feel more confident to. We are so sure that you will love our period pants and pads that we have created a 90 day trial scheme for them, so if they don't work for you, we'll refund you in full.

If you enjoyed this, we think you would like this blog on How often should you change period pants? or have a browse of all our blogs!

As always, if you're unsure of what you need to make the switch, please do drop the team a line or use the online chat function. The team all use the products themselves and just LOVE to chat pee poo and periods, all day long, nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences...

About the Author:  Kirstin Scriven is part of the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to 3 and loves the forest, the sea and the hills!

Along with the rest of our crack team, she spends most days talking about poo, pee and periods and loves a chance to overshare. The business was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years.

 

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