AIBU to go Ewwww at how my eldest's using her re-usable period pads

[Wills]

Now, I'm not against them, just against her tossing them into the main washing pile! I have four kids and do approximately 2 loads minimum a day BUT sometimes some things get left for a while at the bottom - this has lead me, in the past, to insist that ordinary used face flannels are put in a separate container in the bathroom that I can pick up and put in the wash before they start to stink. But given how I feel about face flannels being left to fester I hope you can understand that I'm being rather squeamish about used sanitary towels. At the same time I want to be progressive and save the planet and my youngest will be starting in the next 2 years so umm, if you use them how do you 'deal with them'. I have 3 daughters so need to find a solution suitable for them all.

I use them, have a bucket designated. Soak in cold water for a few hours then chuck in with a coloured load.

Yeah, that sounds great. Make her think that periods are something to hide and to be ashamed of. Yup, that's going to end well.

Don’t be ridiculous. Having a separate bag to chuck pads in isn’t period shaming. There is nothing remotely shaming about teaching children about good hygiene. They aren’t born knowing this stuff.

I’m not sure I see what the big deal is, everything is getting washed anyway. I’m not squeamish though.

Yep, YABVU to go "Eew" in front of your DD about this rather than having a nice understanding chat with her about it.

Ours came with a little discreet bag, so we just hang that over the laundry basket and DD puts hers in there after rinsing with cold water so I know to check it.

Bucket with water in, milton and teach her to wash them herself. They shouldn't be left to fester.

@Terracottasaur you really think that saying 'Ewww' is ok?

Mine came with a little bag with a waterproof lining, so they get rinsed with cold water and then kept in their little bag until the next wash goes on, which is always within a couple of days.

I don’t think a mooncup would work for a virgin.

Meh, mine go in the laundry basket and sit there until it all gets washed together with the household washing. I've yet to notice big bloody smears on anyone's clothes. I have two preschoolers, if I kept a tub or bag of them anywhere they would be sure to stick their noses in immediately.

Sorry but I would say “ewwwwwww” too, of course periods are normal but so is B.O, poo and other bodily fluids but I don’t want to have to smell them festering.

I use washable occasionally and I put them straight into the washing machine, just teach her how to wash them or get her to rinse them out before putting in the wash.

It's not Eeewww about periods it's eeewww about leaving smelly soiled pants around.

Can’t she do her own washing??

I just rinse my period pants out under the tap and chuck them in the next wash.

I can totally appreciate that the 'ew' feeling, whatever the cause, is hard to shift. Sounds like an 'undies and flannels' bin might work though, and maybe encourage all undies to go in so sanitary products don't feel taboo or shame-worthy?

I keep a separate container for them in the bathroom. Mine is an open weave basket on a high shelf because I find it’s best if they have air. At the end of my cycle I wash them all in one batch.

@Regularsizedrudy

Can’t she do her own washing??

Why?Because she has periods, or are you making a more general point. If you have sons did they do their own washing when they were schoolchildren?

There is nothing especially eeeewww about periods or used pads - grow up.

I fold mine up, when ready to wash I unfold, then put in on a rinse cycle. Once that's finished I add the rest of the washing
But she needs to separate them, a mesh bag would work

I hand wash mine the same day.

I think it would be acceptable for her to rinse them thoroughly in the sink, wring out and then put them in the washing basket if she wants them machine washed.

Any nappy bucket etc suggestions just makes them hang around getting more icky for whoever opens it.

Teach her to do her own washing OR
keep them in a lingerie/delicates style washing bag/nappy bin.

I've heard some people rinse theirs first (can be done under running water in the shower/bath if basin is too icky for you)

@MaliceOrgan

Yeah, that sounds great. Make her think that periods are something to hide and to be ashamed of. Yup, that's going to end well.

I don't think they are anything to be ashamed of, just as I don't think pooing is, but I wouldn't appreciate a pair of shitey boxers in amongst my clothes so I don't know why I would want a used period pad.

I rinse mine in the sink then Chuck them in the washing basket, they go on next time I do a wash.

She either needs to hand rinse them in cold water, or to put them in a cold water soak until they go in the wash. Then they go straight in the machine.

She could take on responsibility for doing her own laundry.

Putting them in the main laundry bin in a bit grim.

I rinse mine after use and make sure they go into the next wash. Can she just put them straight into the washing machine after use if you’re doing washing that frequently?

@SooWoo56

Get your daughter to wash them out by hand with soap powder in a bowl in the bathroom. That's what most people do unless they are putting on a wash immediately. You can't leave things like that unwashed with rest of laundry. They smell too even after washing if not laundered immediately.

That's what I would do. I used to do that with my undies especially ones that had bloodstains (past that now for three years thank goodness). It's part of self respect to keep your intimate garments clean yourself.

Get a waterproof nappy sack. Undo the top so they can escape the bag, stick them on a rinse if she doesn’t rinse straight away then wash as normal. She could just keep the bag in the wash basket.

my 12yr old uses them too, and i had to tell her that as much as I approve of her using them, that if she doesnt put them in the wash properly, then she will have to use disposables, as if they dry out, then its hard/impossible to get them clean again. Im not grossed out by it, but others would be.