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Original poster

period pants (absorbant)

12 replies

Jeannne92 · 10/02/2024 19:07

Have 2 questions about period pants (the absorbant ones you wear instead of pads or tampons).

Can a 12 year old wear them every day even when not menstruating? (I think no...they will absorb all of her natural secretions and leave her very dry)

Can they - when worn but no blood absorbed - go in the washing machine at 40° with all the other clothes, with fabric softener? (I also think no, having read the label.)

OP posts:
SandyWaves · 10/02/2024 20:08

Following for advice

Meredusoleil · 10/02/2024 20:11

Yes to the washing machine at 40, but no fabric conditioner or tumble dryer.

Wouldn't advise to wear them on non-period days personally. My girls wear them as back up on heavy days (as well as a sanitary towel).

TigerOnTour · 10/02/2024 20:12

I would wash with the normal stuff, no problem there

I wouldn't wear them all the time. Things need to breathe.

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Hercisback · 10/02/2024 20:12

I wouldn't want to wear the heavy absorbency ones every day because of the bulk more than anything. They wouldn't do anything bad, they're just cotton like normal pants, but they are thicker.

I regularly wear marks light absorbency ones on a normal day as normal pants. Comfortable and catch and cough pees!

I wash mine at 30 with bio powder so the blood doesn't set in them.

reluctantbrit · 10/02/2024 20:17

I wash mine at 20 degrees or a cold wash (Modibodi advises of a colder wash) with bio washing liquid. I wear them often as I have a bladder weakness.

I wouldn‘t wear the very absorbent ones daily, they are quite bulky. They are also quite expensive compared to a pack of M&S knickers.

DD has a very regular period and starts wearing them 1-2 days prior to the expected start day to avoid nasty surprises. But she only wears the light ones.

Troglo · 10/02/2024 20:20

Reusable nappies and periods pants all go in the wash with no issues.

I don’t think you need to worry about her being sucked dry or anything. They only absorb stuff once it has leaked out of your labia. You can wear them and still be perfectly moist inside. It’s the bulk that would be off-putting, and the cost.

HopefullyHopeless · 10/02/2024 20:29

Why would she wear them if she wasn't menstruating? And yes, a normal wash is fine but without fabric softener.

UnravellingTheWorld · 10/02/2024 20:37

I mean I don't see why she couldn't wear them on non-period days, but why would she?

When I take a pair off, I rinse with cold water until it runs clear and leave them in a bucket of water until laundry day. Then they go in the normal wash.

SquishyGloopyBum · 10/02/2024 22:08

Don't use fabric softener. It stops them being absorbent.

Original poster
Jeannne92 · 11/02/2024 14:36

Thanks, everyone, your replies are so helpful.

For the backstory, DSD's mum bought her 5 pairs of period pants about a month ago. Apparently they are meant to get a free pair from school too but that hasn't happened yet despite the great fanfare with which it was announced.

DSD obviously likes them as she remembers to bring them with her each week (lives with us alternate weeks) whereas usually she doesn't bring anything apart from school books, and if ever she does need something like swimming kit, she always forgets and pops in to get it midweek. DSD hasn't started periods yet but is pretty developed otherwise. We have spoken to her since she was in Year 6 about periods, etc. and she knows where to find pads in her bedroom and in the bathrooms. When we saw that she had menstrual pants we asked if she wanted us to buy some more and she said no (which I think is wise as she is growing fast but may well also change her mind when she starts periods and starts to realise what she finds most comfortable.) They look to me like medium flow (doesn't specify on label) and also look pretty comfortable.

I imagine she is wearing them often (not every single day but at least every other) as she is worried about starting suddenly one day and having blood on her clothes in school. I think I would have done the same had that been possible. If they were uncomfortable I don't think she would wear them as she is all about comfort and hasn't really bought into the idea that her body is growing yet (e.g. deodorant, bra).

She puts them in the laundry bin with everything else and DH who does the laundry just washes them with our other clothes at 40° with fabric softener. Obviously there is no blood so what I am worried about is destroying their absorbency. I read the label and went on the website and it says to wash at 20° and no softener. I told DH but he forgets. I think I will tell him the price as that will probably help him remember.

Obviously when DSD does start then we will make sure she knows how to rinse them and has everything she needs.

OP posts:
Luckypoppy · 11/02/2024 16:14

Get her a tiny wash basket or bin and ask her to pop them in there so you remember to wash them properly. I have a little lidded bin in the bathroom for them.

Original poster
Jeannne92 · 11/02/2024 16:28

Luckypoppy · 11/02/2024 16:14

Get her a tiny wash basket or bin and ask her to pop them in there so you remember to wash them properly. I have a little lidded bin in the bathroom for them.

Thanks. The thing is, we can't do a wash for just 5 pairs of pants. We don't really have anything else to put in a cold wash and definitely not on a weekly basis. I will tell DH about the cost of period pants so that he remembers to forego the fabric conditioner when DSD's period pants are in the load.

OP posts:
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