Period pants smelling

[Blueowlnight]

i really struggle with period pants smelling after a couple of hours of wearing, sometimes even can catch a smell after washing (if I really smell them).

I have always rinsed until as clear as I can get them but this honestly takes 3-5 mins or so and there always seems to be a slight yellow hint to the water. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to get it clear but I’m there for so long using so much water! And then where do you let them dry? I don’t want unclean pants hanging around the house, have tried to air dry in the bathroom but they never seem to dry properly and then the smell is awful while I wait for a wash to put them in.

help, what is the secret? Is it better not to rinse straight away to avoid them just sitting damp? Or am I doing something wrong that means I’m not able to get them
dry?

Usual practice is wear in day or overnight; rinse them in cold water; hang them to dry (but this smells awful and they never dry); wash them on a 40c for 2.5 hours with a non bio smol tablet and white vinegar instead of softener.

Not really though? Heavy heavy bleeding, not really the same as a liner and nappy. I would suspect much of it depends on your flow and period but it would be a disaster for me and absolutely smells. I was doing so much washing the amount of waste from the sanitary towels was negligible

It’s the non-bio that’s the issue.

Very much biological dirt on them. You need the enzymes in bio to get them properly clean.

I can’t stand the idea of using them alone, but they are great to wear with a tampon/towel in case of peri menopausal flooding!

They are absolutely brilliant for teens who are navigating the stress of having periods at school where their access to toilets is sadly limited so they need an extra security layer.

Only ever used period pants if I’m due on my period just incase I get caught short! But usually as soon as I’m home I will soak them in cold water, rinse them out, hand wash then put in washing machine with the rest of my clothes on a normal hour wash, dry indoors (I never dry underwear outside I have weird neighbours lol ) and they seem fine

I don’t rinse them by hand. I put them on a rinse cycle with extra water before the main wash cycle.

Then I wash them at 40 with non bio powder. Bio powder would irritate me and defeat the point of the whole exercise.

Is part of the issue that you aren’t used to menstrual blood having a smell? Pads are scented which masks the smell.

You might get on better with washable pads. They’re easier to change more often.

I rinse mine until the water runs fairly clear. Then i put them in a zip up wet bag. At the end of my period I empty the period pants into the washing machine (I also put the wet bag in) and wash at 40 using biological washing powder, and dry on the airer.

I gave up rinsing ny DDs now they go straight in the washing machine and hang dry on an airer.

I don't rinse mine and also never did the washable nappies, just collect in a bucket or very tight closing bag and wash when period is done or partway through on delicate cycle at 30 (as advised on them), wich involves quite a lot of sloshing about and rinsing. They never smell and been using this process for years, and dd does too now.

I rinse mine in the sink at the end of the day, then wash them in the same way I washed the kids nappies. 15 minute wash followed by a two hour wash, both as hot as the label will allow. No fabric softener as it affects the waterproofing. Oh and they go in with my regular darks wash :) I then hang them to dry either outside in summer or over the drying rack next to the radiator the rest of the year.

I do put mine in a normal wash with other stuff if I have washing ready to do.

I’ve used period pants for years now and love them! Someone posted on here a few years ago a period pants life hack and it blew my mind. So when they shower, they put the pants In the shower tray and stomp (whilst showering) until the water runs clear. Before and after this process, I keep the pants in a basin of water in my en suite until I wash them all at the same time. Always try and hang them outdoors on the line, don’t care what the neighbours think. When the kids were little, I would use a bit of napisan in with the wash. Don’t bother now usually but maybe do an extra rinse and super spin cycle.

I use non bio at 30 with a few drops of tea tree oil on top of the powder. Never had a smell problem but fairly light on the flow front, all things considered!

it's blood so don't put them on a hot wash. I wash in the machine at 20 with bio liquid a dettol rinse and a tiny bit of odour remover in the conditioner drawer. I then line dry where possible in the sun. No smells I have noticed.

Similar to PPs I wait until I'm ready to do a main wash, then wash them on a cold wash with washing detergent, then add the rest of the clothes and do a full wash.

I think the difference is nappies can be washed really hot - they used once to boil them.

I was also told by the paediatrician never to use bleach or Dettol on baby nappies as the anti-bacterial action can linger on the fabric and disturb natural flora causing utis. I like Dettol laundry liquid, but for that reason I never use it on underwear.

I have been using period pants for about 3-4 years now.

When I change a pair I rinse them straight away with cold water until the water runs clear and then shut them in the washing machine (just to put them out the way). I tend to go through about 3-4 pairs per 24 hours so I then wash those 3-4 pairs all at the same time. I wash them on their own and not with our other clothes. I use a 30 degree wash, an hours cycle and then dry them outside.

I use Mobibodi brand and have never noticed they smell.

Exactly the same here. Washable nappies reused for 2nd and 3rd child. Period pants used by both dds. We never rinse, just put in lidded bucket then straight into the washing machine with bio washing liq on 30 degrees, often with other dark laundry. Dry outside whenever possible.

I don’t rinse or anything, just throw them in on a 40C wash with the rest of the laundry and air dry them afterwards, although sometimes they accidentally end up in the tumble dryer. No smells no issues.

Try Napisan powder, let them soak in a scoop for a while before washing, then add a bit to the machine
it's made for towelling nappies but is brilliant for getting rid of stains / smells from fabrics

Question from an oldie here.

What's wrong with just using tampons? That's what we did, Do women not any more?

Napisan is brilliant and uses oxygen, but I don't think you can use it on wool - and aren't Modibodi made from wool?

I just don’t see the appeal, sorry! All that washing is surely pretty bad for the environment? And there is no way even the best of the best pants could contain what I can only describe as an abattoir-style situation most months here. I like the idea in theory but practically it’d just make things messier and more grim than they already are!

I think there's a few issues. One is toxic shock syndrome, another is people worry about leaching of chemicals (from the bleaching I think) and finally landfill.

Though to be honest I wonder if all the laundering doesn't balance that out from an eco point of view..

They are, in fact, surprising in what they hold. More than a tampon for sure I'd say.