Washable pads - getting into a routine

[twosoups1972]

I have just started experimenting with washable pads. I already use a moon cup but sometimes need a pad when the flow is heavy.

I've tried some pads from Precious Stars which I really like. But I need some tips on exactly what you do when you change them. I know you have to wash them in cold water after use but what do you do with them then? And how many do you wash at a time?

Also, I'm trying to encourage my 3 teen dds to try them too. If they get on with them, I was thinking maybe a different colour for each of them?

Any tips very gratefully received!

I use the cheeky wipes ones. I just chuck mine in with whatever washing I have on. I used to wash them separately but it seemed such a waste of water for five little pads! I don't both cold washing them either. 30c wash cycle here.

Good luck!

I just put mine in a wet bag when used. I don’t rinse any. When I’ve finished my cycle I put them all in the machine alone on a cold wash to rinse, when that’s finished I put on a full wash with an extra rinse at the end with normal amount of biological powder for wash size. Then I hang to dry. Depending on if any blood is still showing after the cold rinse I may add a scoop of vanish too no problems a few years in

I'm new to cloth pads. I bought a lot and I have a few in different sizes and absorbancies. I'm looking forward to start using them.

I plan to take a toiletry bag out with me when I go to work etc. This will be in my main bag. I hope to have a few clean pads there. When I change, I will store the used pad in a separate pocket in the bag.

I have a large wet bag. Basically it has a waterproof lining. I hope to store all the used pads there in the bag until the end of my period (about 5 days). After that I will rinse them in the bathroom sink with cold water or rinse in the machine. I might give a cold water soak as well. Then I will wash as I normally wash my clothes. Probably on 40 degree cotton wash.

I wash them with cold water and hand soap then put them in a wet bag until the next time I do a load of washing of the right colour.

As above, I don’t do anything special, no rinse or cold water I just throw them in with the laundry as and when. 30c always brings them clean. I got mine from an eBay seller who makes them. I thought I’d try a few and upgrade later. 3 years later and I’m still using the same ones and they’re fantastic.

I started with washable pads last month (also use a mooncup but after 4 months of being great I've had a couple of months of it being unpredictable so like the back up) and I've just been leaving them to soak in cold water then chucking them in a normal wash when I put one on - I've got the charcoal coloured ones so they just go in a darks wash with no fabric softener. I actually had a spare lidded food recycling caddy which has been perfect for soaking them in.

Really pleased with them so far. They stay in place far better than disposables.

My dd uses reusables (I'm too old for periods) but I haven't got her to the managing them herself stage-she's only had about 7 periods and I'm being too soft so that it helps her to adjust gently to menstruation. Yes, I know, but that's how I have judged it for now.
Anyway, I launder them as follows:
She slings them into a zipped wet bag. When her period is over, I run them under a cold tap to get as much blood out as possible. I then put a stripe of Ecover stain remover on the stain. I sling them back into the wet bag once rinsed and Ecover'd. and take the bag to the washing machine. I empty them into the washing machine and add a scoop of Oxyclean to the wash. I use an EcoEgg for washing. Set it it normal "mixed load" which is usually at 40 degrees. And wash as normal.
I have one of those octopus hanger things to let me air dry them. I don't put directly on the radiator. On sunny days they go out like that on the line to air dry.
Never a stain yet.

I use ‘honour your flow’ (they aren’t cheap but have 20% off every Sunday 8-9pm) they’re amazing. I have enough for my full period with some left over so just chuck them in a wet back left over from when toddler was in cloth nappies, at the end of my period I put them through a cold rinse cycle then top up the machine with towels etc and wash them as normal.

old lidded 1kg butter tub with salted cold water to put used pads in . wash at the end of the week on a 40 in the machine on a colours cycle with anything else.

out and about a ziplok bag (which can be washed out / reused). labelled so no one puts sarnies it it lol!