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Original poster

Washing period pants

61 replies

CheshireSplat · 29/09/2021 07:32

I've bought DD period pants from Primark. They are fab!

Question is, they say to wash out all of the blood before washing them as normal in the washing machine. Is that necessary, do you think, or is it to help people who feel a bit squeamish about them going in with the rest of the washing. We used reusable nappies so very happy not to prewash, so want to understand why it is recommended.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
CheshireSplat · 30/09/2021 00:13

Thanks spikeyplants or perhaps that should be spikeypants. 😁. Every day is a school day.

OP posts:
BritInAus · 30/09/2021 00:20

I take mine off in the shower first thing and stomp on them a bit until the water runs clear(ish). Then put in the washing machine and wash in the next load (usually fairly soon, sometimes that evening. Don't think they should be left to soak. The rinsing is to get blood out, soaking wouldn't really do that.

PearLime · 30/09/2021 00:50

I just do a normal wash...

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Makinganewthinghappen · 30/09/2021 03:51

I have used them a while now and just put them in a normal wash no special treatment at all ‘. They come out beautifully clean and fresh.

harrytwatter · 30/09/2021 05:24

I chuck all mine in a wash. Never rinsed them first. Never had any issues, they clean fine.

The modibodi are garbage and the only ones that ever smell.

ChuckMater · 30/09/2021 05:37

I've used mine for a few months now. First time I rinsed them in the sink but last time I rinsed them when I showered and then left them there until I was putting a wash on (which I do most days) Soaking wouldn't get the blood out surely? When you rinse them you can do it until the water runs clear.

isthismylifenow · 30/09/2021 05:47

Dd uses both the pants and reusable pads. She has a bucket in the bathroom. Quick rinse and in the bucket. They go on a cold prewash then a 40 wash. Haven't had an issue with this system at all.

cantbeforeal · 30/09/2021 05:58

I usually just put mine in the washing machine on the 14 min quick wash on cold before washing them on the normal wash

purplesequins · 30/09/2021 06:20

I just put themin the wash as usual. together with all our (dark) socks and pants.
I think rinsing makes it pointless if you have them for environmental reasons.

ducktape · 30/09/2021 07:38

I treat them like I used to do washable nappies when then dc were babies - store in a laundry bag, then a 20 min cold rinse/wash in the machine (no detergent) before starting the main wash programme

GoodVibesHere · 30/09/2021 08:24

@notcontent it's the drying that takes ages for me. They seem to take several days to dry out fully in the crotch area. It means they're not simple

GoodVibesHere · 30/09/2021 08:26

It means they're not simple/practical to use on repeat during a period unless you have lots and lots of them. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, surely they aren't supposed to take days on end to dry out?

purplesequins · 30/09/2021 08:31

the one we use dry very quickly.
and yes, we have quite a few so that we don't have to run the washer almost empty.

BiBabbles · 30/09/2021 08:42

I think it depends on how heavy the cycle, or it may just be individual to each person.

With my cloth pads, I don't really need to rinse or soak, but my DD1 don't seem to come clean unless she gives them a good rinse.

One recommendation I saw was putting period pants and cloth pads (and towels and similar) in a rinse cycle before a normal wash, the extra agitation is meant to help more than just soaking, but others get great results from soaking too.

motherofawhirlwind · 30/09/2021 08:45

I was coming on to say I just wash mine at 40 with no rinse and they come up clean but they're Floweret like @verbena87 mentioned so maybe it's the lack of wool that allows my slovenliness?

I have a different coloured pedal bin in the bathroom for them.

Beamur · 30/09/2021 08:51

I just put mine in an eco wash with dark laundry. It's a long, cool wash and works fine. I do laundry most days so they are washed soon after wearing.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 30/09/2021 09:16

I use reusable pads and have to rinse them out thoroughly immediately till the water runs clear, or it takes a long cold soak, a soak in Milton and 3 washes to stop them smelling bad. It bugs me! It actually had me dreading DD starting, because I'd encourage her to use period pants and I was thinking they'd be as bad.

I obviously haven't found the right brand!

Makinganewthinghappen · 30/09/2021 09:58

i just put mine in the tumbledryer with towels (i hate line/rail drying towels).

StarCourt · 30/09/2021 09:58

DD12 has a fair few pairs from different places but uses the modibodi shorts for the first couple of really heavy days and they are brilliant. We started off with the fun colourful ones but the staining doesn't always come out even when rinsing in cold water first

isthismylifenow · 30/09/2021 15:23

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I use reusable pads and have to rinse them out thoroughly immediately till the water runs clear, or it takes a long cold soak, a soak in Milton and 3 washes to stop them smelling bad. It bugs me! It actually had me dreading DD starting, because I'd encourage her to use period pants and I was thinking they'd be as bad.

I obviously haven't found the right brand!

This is odd. Dd has been using the same reusable pads for 6/7 years now and never once have they smelt bad after a wash.

Are you using fabric conditioner? We only use white vinegar in the rinse.

She also soaks them, but then again there are times they haven't been soaked and they still wash perfectly.

isthismylifenow · 30/09/2021 15:24

Perhaps the Milton is the problem.

SirChenjins · 30/09/2021 15:27

@BritInAus

I take mine off in the shower first thing and stomp on them a bit until the water runs clear(ish). Then put in the washing machine and wash in the next load (usually fairly soon, sometimes that evening. Don't think they should be left to soak. The rinsing is to get blood out, soaking wouldn't really do that.
That’s what I do - put them on the shower floor, let the cold water run over them, squeeze out excess water, then into the machine as soon as I’m able to.
SirChenjins · 30/09/2021 15:28

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

I use reusable pads and have to rinse them out thoroughly immediately till the water runs clear, or it takes a long cold soak, a soak in Milton and 3 washes to stop them smelling bad. It bugs me! It actually had me dreading DD starting, because I'd encourage her to use period pants and I was thinking they'd be as bad.

I obviously haven't found the right brand!

Are you using powder? The tabs never clean as well as bio powder.
UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 30/09/2021 17:50

Yes to powder, no to fabric softener. I haven't always used Milton, that was to try and resolve the problem. They've actually been known to make a whole load of washing smell off and have to be rewashed.

Original poster
CheshireSplat · 01/10/2021 21:35

Quite excited by how popular this thread is! If anyone doesn't know the poem "Blood, Grandad" by Hollie McNish and fancies some culture in a Friday night, I'd recommend googling it.

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