Do period pants smell?18 August 2022 No, reusable period pants don't smell. When cared for following washing guidelines they don't retain any odour. As with all blood, there may be a metallic smell you notice when you go to the toilet but no different to a disposable pad or other period protection. 
There won't be anything out of the ordinary and nothing anyone could smell for you to feel self conscious about. If you are smelling something stronger and unpleasant this won't be your vagina or pants but bacteria, and a tweak in your washable pant routine will be needed. I went back to the disposable side for an hour this month and used a tampon for my menstrual flow for the first time in a few years. It then meant I had to touch the sanitary disposal bin in the toilets - the SWIMMING POOL toilets of all places. - Wet tiles - check!
- Clammy, skintight costume to wriggle down - check!
- Overflowing bin - check!
- An awful smell of other peoples used sanitary pads festering in the warm, wet environment!!! C H E C K ! ! !
That smell isn't period blood smell, it's bacteria and to be avoided. This is easy in reusable period pants. There are a few reasons why your period pants might smell, all are easily corrected by following our care guidance. If your period underwear smell: - When wearing - all bodily fluids on period products, if left sitting for too long, will start to smell so if you have an odour you are past time to change, they will have been worn for too long or not changed frequently enough for your flow. This may lead to a fishy smell.
- Before washing - this may be because the period pants have not been rinsed enough, have been left soaking too long, or have been allowed to dry without rinsing. This may lead to a musty smell.
- After washing - this may be because the menstrual pants have not been dried quickly enough, not agitated sufficiently in the wash, not rinsed enough, or fabric softener is trapping blood inside. This will be a damp smell.
- After storing - this can happen if period pants are put away damp, not rinsed or washed for long enough leaving blood inside. This may lead to a mouldy smell.
To stop period pants smelling, following these steps will keep you feeling and smelling fresh and protect the fabric in your period panties: Wearing period pants means you should change in line with your flow, and opt for pants that match your flow rate. There are pants available that range from a light flow thong to a heavy flow high waisted brief which will hold several tampons worth of blood. If you have light flow it is a good idea to start the day in a fresh pair of pants, then change in the evening and again for bed. The pants may be absorbent enough to be worn for 12hrs but to avoid smells change often. Wipe your vulva clean when you change your pants, this can be done with a wet cheeky wipe. you won't need to hand wash a pair of period pants but you do need to rinse in cold water til the water runs clear so that most of the menstrual blood is not left sitting on the pants. This will stop smells but will also make the fabrics in your pants last longer and help to avoid any staining or the ph of your vagina bleaching your gusset. By wet pailing in a storage container or mini strucket with water and tea tree oil, salt, stain remover, or your normal detergent. Alternatively after rinsing you can hang them to dry before washing or dry pail in a wetbag / storage container with no water. If you need to change out and about just pop your used pants into a wetbag to deal with at home. Period pants get cleaned most effectively in the washing machine, no need to hand wash. Add the correct dose of detergent - we recommend bio powder - hot water can set the proteins in the blood as a stain, so stick to cool washing at 30 degrees. Avoid fabric softener as this builds up a coating on the pants and stops them absorbing and can also trap moisture inside causing smells. Avoid bleach as this can cause fabric to break down. Oxy stain removers are fine to use. Period pants are best hung to dry because they contain several absorbent layers. This can be outside on the washing line in the summer, or inside on a pegged hanger or clothes airier. Lying them flat on a surface takes longer to dry so can lead to mustiness. Avoid heated airers, radiators and tumble dryers as it can damage the delicate waterproof layer. Make sure the period pants are fully dry before storing, they are best in an airy basket or drawer and not locked away without air flow. 
No, period pants don't feel dirty or wet. If you are used to internal protection, there will involve more blood on your vulva but this is nothing that can't be wiped away (we have the perfect wipes for that too!). There is no more than when using disposable pads and you won't feel the wetness of your period as it will soak straight into the absorbent inner layers of the pants and be held there by the leak proof layer. Period pants cope really well with blood clots, moisture is wicked away and any residue can be wiped with tissue when you next go to the toilet - just as you would with a disposable pad or tampon. If you notice any blood being slow to absorb when you go to the toilet it is time to change your reusable underwear.
No, people can't smell your period. Menstrual periods should only smell if you have irritation or an infection or haven't cleaned your vulva regularly. Period pants don't cause infections - they cause LESS irritation than wearing plastic, sweaty disposables and therefore lead to less discomfort. As they are breathable you are less likely to get chafing and rashes which could lead to infections and smells. When you first receive your reusable period pants try them on over your own underwear to make sure they fit, then they benefit from being washed. This is a good idea hygienically to wash away any factory residue but it also primes the fibres in the layers so they increase in absorbency. We have black gussets in all of our pants for a few reasons. It involves the least dye so is best for sensitive skin leading to less irritation - all of our dyes are oeko tex certified for their safety. When to worry - if you are getting smells in disposable and reusables alike you may need to talk to your doctor. Some illnesses can cause your vulva to smell fishy (such as bacterial vaginosis) and are normally accompanied by burning or itching. We hope you've enjoyed our Cheeky guide on whether period pants smell 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 these blogs on - 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. | 
