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Original poster

Re-useable/washable sanitary pads on the washing line for all to see - yay or nay?

208 replies

NaomiBunch · 28/05/2026 12:39

If you use re-usable/washable sanitary pads, do or would you line dry them after washing assuming four or five neighbours can easily see them?

OP posts:
Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 28/05/2026 14:30

NowWhatBih · 28/05/2026 12:41

Why use reusable sanitary pads really… very unhygienic

What nonsense.

And to answer why - better for the planet, no nasty chemicals like single use towels and cheaper in the long run.

wishingonastar101 · 28/05/2026 14:29

I would. Maybe on one of those octopus peg hanging things - like you would with hankies or knickers.

LittleGreenShoots · 28/05/2026 14:24

I hang my period underwear on the line- I figure the sun is good for sterilizing them. I don't really notice what my neighbours washing line has on it.

ProudCat · 28/05/2026 14:23

Fizzybluewater · 28/05/2026 13:57

Washing goes on the line and personally I don't give a toss that my older neighbours see my lacy knickers and colourful undies. They don't need to look at them.
That's an interesting t shirt. A bit 'look at me, I'm special'🙄

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Yep. It was produced by Spare Rib at some point in the 1980s when even advertising sanitary products was banned. It was a political statement and, like most politics, is about the collective rather than the individual - unlike colourful undies.

Excited101 · 28/05/2026 14:23

Of course! The sun helps remove stains. I hang everything out!

Hotsaucenoketchup · 28/05/2026 14:10

Wouldn’t even think about it - it comes out of the washing machine and gets pegged onto the line - no matter what it is.

and I know this will horrify some - but my DH would equally just hang it out without batting an eye…

Cloth is cloth whether it’s pants , period pads or pinafore - pull out the machine and hang out to dry - and I couldn’t give a monkeys who sees any of it!

murasaki · 28/05/2026 14:05

I wouldn't if I used them.which i don't, as I think they're grim, but I do get that's a me issue.

And I don't put underwear on the line either, but it does go outside on an airer that isn't overlooked.

But that too is a me issue, everyone should just do what they're comfortable with.

fabstraction · 28/05/2026 14:05

I'd probably avoid it if possible by hanging them indoors or I'd put them in between things so they can't be seen as easily. I'd feel the same way about other underwear, as well, unless I had no option but to hang them in clear view of neighbours.

Peonies12 · 28/05/2026 14:03

It's fine, doubt anyone will notice they're even there, or realise what they are.

Highlighta · 28/05/2026 14:02

HoldMyWine · 28/05/2026 14:00

A socktopus? I use that too for mine.

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Yes! This does sound a whole lot better name than 'that peg thing' 😂

DancingLions · 28/05/2026 14:01

It depends on your house set up for me. I'm in a terrace and there is no privacy between me and next door. Their washing is right up next to my garden on one long line, so yeah it would give me the ick a bit if they hung them out. Wouldn't really want to be sitting there eating my sandwich watching those flap in the wind!

For that reason I also dont hang my underwear outside. I know I shouldnt feel embarrassed but I just would. Next door never hang out underwear either.

HoldMyWine · 28/05/2026 14:00

Highlighta · 28/05/2026 12:47

It wouldn't bother me. The sun is good for them anyway.

When my dd lived and home, she hung hers out on one of those round circular peg things. It has one hook and then you can just unhook it to bring them all indoors once dry.

A socktopus? I use that too for mine.

EsmeCrowfoot · 28/05/2026 13:59

TheRealMagic · 28/05/2026 13:40

I think if all your neighbours are examining your washing in that level of detail then you have bigger privacy problems to worry about.

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I wouldn't put it past them, tbh! 😄

Foraor · 28/05/2026 13:58

EsmeCrowfoot · 28/05/2026 13:37

Personally I wouldn't like to think that my neighbours all knew I'd just had my period. That's not about shame, it's about privacy.

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And yet they know you have a period. Every month. Like every woman of childbearing age in the world

Fizzybluewater · 28/05/2026 13:57

ProudCat · 28/05/2026 13:26

Yes, but there again I used to have a T shirt with massive writing on it saying 'Hi. I've got my period.'

Show quote history

Washing goes on the line and personally I don't give a toss that my older neighbours see my lacy knickers and colourful undies. They don't need to look at them.
That's an interesting t shirt. A bit 'look at me, I'm special'🙄

BauhausOfEliott · 28/05/2026 13:53

EsmeCrowfoot · 28/05/2026 13:37

Personally I wouldn't like to think that my neighbours all knew I'd just had my period. That's not about shame, it's about privacy.

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That's obviously up to you, but personally I wouldn't see it as being any different from the neighbours looking at your washing and seeing that you wore blue socks last week.

To be honest, if your neighbours are looking at your washing that closely, you've got bigger problems.

BauhausOfEliott · 28/05/2026 13:51

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 28/05/2026 12:49

No. Use a tampon.

Bit weird to hang your tampons on the washing line.

OP, I don't use reusable pads, but if I did I'd hang them on the line with everything else. It's no different to hanging up any other item.

pinkpony88 · 28/05/2026 13:48

maddiemookins16mum · 28/05/2026 13:36

yes, but I’d have them on my Socktopus and not waving at full mast but that’s my issue. Tbf, I reckon most of my neighbours wouldn’t even know what they were.

Just had to google socktopus 🤣

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 28/05/2026 13:47

They're not much different to the reusable liners I used in reusable nappies both of which got hung up for all to see

TheRealMagic · 28/05/2026 13:40

EsmeCrowfoot · 28/05/2026 13:37

Personally I wouldn't like to think that my neighbours all knew I'd just had my period. That's not about shame, it's about privacy.

Show quote history

I think if all your neighbours are examining your washing in that level of detail then you have bigger privacy problems to worry about.

bignewprinz · 28/05/2026 13:39

I dry mine on the front steps to my house, annoys the postman when he has to tip toe round them to get to the door but 🤷

If it's a particularly breezy day, I hang them from the apple tree at the end of my front lawn.

AImportantMermaid · 28/05/2026 13:38

Where is this world where neighbours have time or care enough to gaze upon other peoples laundry? I have never once been waiting in the bushes to see if Sue from next door is hanging out her balaclava and thongs.

EsmeCrowfoot · 28/05/2026 13:37

megacat · 28/05/2026 12:42

I don’t use them but if I did I absolutely would hang them out, women menstruate and it’s not something to to be ashamed of or hide.

Personally I wouldn't like to think that my neighbours all knew I'd just had my period. That's not about shame, it's about privacy.

FlatErica · 28/05/2026 13:36

Yes

maddiemookins16mum · 28/05/2026 13:36

yes, but I’d have them on my Socktopus and not waving at full mast but that’s my issue. Tbf, I reckon most of my neighbours wouldn’t even know what they were.