How To Wash Cloth Menstrual Pads.

I prewash the cotton top, bamboo fleece core and the flannelette backing. 

I don't wash the PUL.

I use a water soluble pen to trace my templates ( you might see the odd faint blue marking on your pads). 

If you are worried about the residue from the PUL and the pen, then please prewash your pads before you use them.

When they are new, try to keep dark and light colours separate and the red flannelette backed ones separate from lighter colours for the first few soaks and washes. 

I put mine straight into a bucket of cold water (the liners that I wear daily just get bunged into the washing pile. They don't get soaked unless they are used for my period).

When I have enough to wash I put them through a rinse cycle and then wash them with my other washing (on a cold or warm wash) and then hang them out to dry or put them in the hot water cupboard.

​If you get stains, you might like to soak your pads in product such as Ecostore Laundry Soaker and Stain Remover (NEVER use bleach!). 

​Unfortunately most homemade washing powders do not have the enzymes required to break down blood. You will need to use a bought washing powder that contains them. I have used Ecostore , Earthwise and Surf, all with success.

Do not use fabric softener as it can make pads less absorbent.

Do not use bleach.

Do not tumble dry

Do not dry clean.

​Fading and pilling of the fabric over time is normal and not a defect. 

If you want your pads to remain bright and vibrant, do not leave out in the sun for long periods of time.

​Staining 

​Some women find they stain certain colours more than others.

Some don't stain at all. Others bleach some colours. This can be caused by the acidity of vaginal discharge and or/ the ammonia in urine. Have a read of this interesting write up about it. 

​Everyone's bodily fluid is different and I can not tell you which colours will suit you best.

Unfortunately it is a trial and error thing.

​If your pad stains it is not considered a fault of the pad.

​Personally, I get light stains on blue fabric, but it does come out after a second soak.

Light coloured pads are good if you would like to keep an eye on what your cycle is doing.

Some customers find that dark brown and grey fabrics bleach for them when they are used as daily pantyliners but that doesn't happen when those colours are used for menstruation.