Washing period pants

[FawnFrenchieMum]

Talk to me about washing period pants please?
DD10 has just started wearing them as her period has suddenly got a lot heavier.
I think I read no fabric conditioner, is that right?
And what about tumble drying, yes or no?

We also keep them in a small bucket, rinse until clear and then wash with other things.

I once left a pair a few days and it was very smelly even after washing. I soaked in a mix of Vanish, bicarbonate soda and dettol - got rid of all smell!!

Those using several pairs a day - get some reusable pads and get them to put one in a clean pair of pants in the morning. They can take the pad out whilst at school and have a fresh pad or pair of pants for the afternoon/evening and then wear the pants alone overnight. Means they don’t have to change pants at school and is cheaper.

Before I had a hysterectomy last year I used them and got through 3-4 pairs a day (they were a back up option!)

I use to soak in a bucket of cold water, rinse thoroughly and then wash on a 20° quick wash every night (15 mins) and dry on airer.

They were always dry by the time I needed them but I had to have 8 pairs!

Lidded bucket sits in laundry. Get thrown in there with cold water until I'm ready to put a wash on. I put my gloves on and give them a squeeze before chucking in with whatever load. Dry inside out but also fine to tumble dry in emergencies. I use vinegar instead of fabric softener because it kills smells and is better for the machine.

@GCWorkNightmare , agree. And you can buy/or make little washable and wipeable bags to store them in.

But that might be a faff for a ten year old. Hope the school is supportive.

I'm sorry but the thought of handing them down isn't nice! Surely she deserves her own new ones!

This is probably a stupid question but at 10 did she get any sign periods would be starting? My dd is 9 and I haven't really spoken to her about periods, I thought I had a few years yet!

Going against the grain, I chuck mine in the normal wash with the normal 3 in 1 pods and tumble dry. 3 years on no issues

Don’t soak them for too long or leave them wet or they get a sort of stale water/brackish smell that does not wash out.

@Breadhead1 mine started at just turned 9 so I would definitely have the chat !

My dd’s that is

@melonraspberry the poor thing 9 is still so young, will definitely have the chat soon!

It depends whether she is showing any signs of starting puberty. In my daughter’s year group (year 6) there seems to be a huge difference in the girls - some are well over 5ft tall and could easily pass for teens, others are tiny and look more like 8-9 year olds.

My daughter started at 10 (very close to her 11th birthday) but she started puberty at 9. Apparently once breast development begins, you have approx two years before periods start.

I had a hunch she would start early and so got her the Milli Hill book about periods. And, bless her heart, she’s coped really well and felt quite prepared when she started. Wish she could have had another year or two without it though…

DD was 10 when she started. School let her use the teachers’ toilets.

I wish she hadn’t started so young though. Her little face the second time when she asked me “every month?” broke my heart.

She’s 12 now and handles it brilliantly.

I rinse them and put them directly in the washing machine rather than store them.

If your putting them in bucket of cold water to soak, throw in some salt, its breaks the cell walls of the blood cell and makes them easier to rinse out

I’ve been using fabric conditioner and tumble drying mine and they’re totally fine. I’ve had them about 3 years! I just rinse out, stick in the washing machine and wash with dark stuff as and when. I have the Wuka ones and some M&S ones.