Alright, so you’ve made the switch to period pants. First of all, welcome to the club! Once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing (and stain-free sheets!). But let’s talk about the part that can seem a bit… intimidating: cleaning period pants. Before I got the hang of it, I felt like I was doing some kind of laundry calculus. But the truth is, it’s much easier than you’d think—and I’m here to share my system. It’s real-life tested and mom-approved!
Here’s the method I’ve found works best for my daughters and me. And yes, it might involve the occasional juggling act when a rogue period pant tries to sneak its way into a general laundry load, but we’ll get to that.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
Step 1: Rinse Right Away (If You Can)
If it’s convenient, give your period pants a quick rinse in cold water after wearing them. This helps prevent stains and rinses out most of the blood, which keeps them fresher until laundry day. But trust me, no one’s grading you if you skip this step.
Step 2: Pre-Soak (Optional)
If you’re dealing with a particularly heavy day’s pair, a 30-minute cold water soak can help loosen things up. And if you forget, don’t worry; I’ve found that they wash up fine without this step.
Step 3: Machine or Hand Wash
Machine Wash: Throw them in a laundry bag (I know it’s one extra step, but it keeps them safe!) and wash with darks or delicates on a gentle cycle maximum heat 30 degrees. Cold water is best.
Hand Wash: If you are hand washing, grab a gentle detergent and give them a good, friendly scrub. No bleach, no fabric softener. Just nice, basic soap and cold water.
Step 4: Skip the Fabric Softener
Trust me, gentle detergent is your best friend. Strong detergents, bleach, or anything with harsh chemicals can mess with the absorbency and turn your miracle pants into just… pants.
Step 5: Air Dry Like a Pro
Hang them up or lay them flat to dry. Air drying is their happy place. Direct sunlight helps freshen them up too, so if you can put them by a sunny window, they’ll be all the fresher for it. Plus, no dryer saves energy, so it’s a win-win!
My Personal Cleaning Routine for Period Pants
Let's be real: washing period pants every single day isn’t always practical. Between work, kids, and remembering to feed the goldfish, I need a routine that doesn’t add to the daily workload. After some trial and error, I found a system that works perfectly for me and my daughters:
The Special Laundry Basket: After a pair is used, it goes straight into a separate laundry basket, out of sight and out of mind (well, until laundry day). This keeps things organized and makes sure nothing… unexpected… ends up in the general laundry pile.
Weekly Wash Routine: Every five days, we do one big wash. I pop the pants in for a 30-degree wash, add a few drops of Milton sterilizer for that extra-clean vibe, and let the machine work its magic. It’s efficient, thorough, and takes one more thing off my daily to-do list.
Once they’re done, we hang them to air dry. I’ve even turned this into a mini ceremony—there’s something oddly satisfying about hanging them out in the fresh air, knowing they’re clean and ready for round two (or three, or four).
And voilà! Fresh, clean, and ready to go again. The best part? Less laundry stress, more “period pants peace.” Plus, my daughters now know the routine so well that they help me with it—a true family bonding experience.
Switching to period pants has made things so much simpler, and once you have a routine that fits your lifestyle, you’ll see why they’re worth it. And remember, there’s no “perfect” way to do this—just what works for you. The only rule? Don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t stress over it.
Let’s just say, with this setup, the period pant laundry load is the easiest part of the week!