We get this question all the time…
“How do I actually wash my period underwear?”
And the good news is, it’s really simple 🤍
Once you’ve done it once, it just becomes part of your normal routine.
Your simple care routine
After wearing your period undies:
1. Rinse in cold water
Give them a quick rinse until the water runs clear. This helps remove any blood before washing. We like to do this in the shower, or in the laundry sink.
2. Pop them in the wash
Wash in your machine on a cycle that is 40°C or less. put your period undies in with your regular dark colour load using a mild detergent.
3. Skip the extras
No fabric softener. No bleach. No stain remover. These can affect how well your undies absorb.
4. Air dry
Hang them out to dry, ideally in the sunshine ☀️
Fresh air and warmth help keep them feeling soft and smelling fresh.
That’s it.
Simple, easy care so your period undies stay feeling comfortable, absorbent, and ready to go whenever you need them.
A couple of extra tips
- Do not soak for days, this can cause bacteria growth and damage the material and absorbent layers
- Do not tumble dry, this could damage the water-proof layer inside the gusset. I mean, if you're travelling and you need to do a quick tumble, once or twice, this is fine.
-
You can wash them with your other clothes 👍
If you rinse the underwear out before your wash, there is no blood that can stain your clothes and your machine will do all the cleaning work for you. - Having a few pairs of period underwear on rotation makes life easier.
Period underwear cleaning FAQs
What do I do if I'm not washing clothes everyday?
Easy- rinse your underwear out well and just hang them in an airy spot until you are ready to do a load of washing. Don't leave them wet or damp in a bucket or in the sink, airflow is so important to avoid bacteria or the fabric going mouldy.
Do I need to rinse period underwear before putting them in the washing machine?
Yes, we recommend giving your period underwear a good rinse in cold water until the water runs clear before putting them into your washing machine.
This helps flush blood from the absorbent layers before your washing machine does the rest of the cleaning work.
Can I wash period underwear with my normal clothes?
Absolutely 👍
Once you've rinsed the blood from your period underwear, you can pop them into the washing machine with your regular dark clothing.
There's no need to run an entire washing cycle just for your period undies.
What temperature should I wash period underwear at?
Wash your Hey Zomi period underwear at 40°C or below.
Avoid hot washing cycles as repeated exposure to high temperatures can affect the specialised fabrics and waterproof layer within the gusset.
How much laundry detergent should I use?
Your normal amount for the size of your washing load is fine. More detergent doesn't mean cleaner period undies!
Using too much detergent can make it harder for your washing machine to rinse everything out properly, potentially leaving detergent residue within the absorbent layers.
Stick with a mild detergent and your normal dose for the load.
What laundry products should I avoid when washing period underwear?
Keep it simple. Avoid:
- Fabric softener
- Bleach
- Stain removers
- Harsh cleaning products
- Highly fragranced detergents where possible
Fabric softener can coat absorbent fibres and affect how well your period underwear absorbs, while harsh cleaning products and bleach can damage the specialised fabrics within the gusset.
Can period underwear go in the dryer?
We recommend air drying your period underwear rather than tumble drying.
High heat can damage the waterproof layer within the gusset over time.
We know real life happens though. If you're travelling or get caught out and need to use a dryer once or twice, don't panic! Just avoid making tumble drying part of your regular routine.
Can I soak my period underwear overnight?
We don't recommend leaving your period underwear soaking for hours or days.
If you're not ready to do a load of washing yet, rinse them thoroughly and hang them somewhere with good airflow until wash day.
Don't leave wet period underwear sitting in a bucket, laundry sink or washing basket. Damp fabric without airflow can encourage unwanted smells, bacteria and even mould.
Why do my period underwear smell after washing?
If you're noticing an odour after washing, first make sure you're rinsing them thoroughly after wear and allowing them to dry completely between uses.
Blood, moisture and even excess detergent can remain within the absorbent layers if they're not being rinsed or dried properly.
Try giving them a really thorough rinse, washing again with a small amount of mild detergent and then allowing them to completely air dry somewhere with good airflow.
Avoid trying to cover odours with fabric softener, fragrance or extra detergent.
Can I hand wash period underwear instead?
Yes!
Period underwear doesn't have to go in the washing machine. You can absolutely wash your period undies by hand, but there are a few things to know about detergent, water temperature, rinsing and caring for those absorbent layers.
Read our complete guide to hand washing period underwear here
When should I replace my period underwear?
There's no exact expiry date because it depends on how frequently you wear them and how they've been cared for.
Some signs it might be time for a fresh pair include:
- They're no longer absorbing your usual flow
- You're experiencing leaks when you didn't previously
- The fabric or gusset is deteriorating
- The elastic has significantly stretched or deteriorated
- Persistent odours remain even after a thorough wash and complete dry
Taking good care of your period underwear will help keep those absorbent layers doing their job for longer.
You can see all our Hey Zomi Period Underwear styles and sizes here at www.heyzomi.com/pages/period-underwear
