How do you care for period underwear?

A period panty is great, but isn’t it a hassle to take care of? Caring for your period underwear is actually really simple! You just need to know a few tips and follow a few steps to keep your washable, reusable, and super practical menstrual protection in great shape for a long time! 

Rinse, wash, dry: follow the right steps to take care of your period underwear.

There are a few tips and habits to know for taking care of your period underwear. It’s nothing complicated—let’s go over the steps together for keeping your period panties, shorties, thongs, and strings clean and well cared for! 

You’ve received your order and are excited to finally try your period underwear? Make sure to rinse them in cold water before first use. Just like regular underwear and new clothes, it’s important to rinse before wearing for the first time to remove any residue or dust. This pre-wash is also important to activate the full absorbency.

After wearing and removing, rinse your period underwear with cold water and gently squeeze to remove as much menstrual flow as possible from the absorbent layer. This is an important habit to keep the blood from drying in your underwear. For those who are squeamish about blood, it might feel a bit strange at first—but you’ll get the hang of it quickly, promise! Rinse until the water runs clear, then hang your underwear to dry.

Louloucup’s top tip? Get in the habit of bringing your underwear with you into the shower. It’ll rinse itself off, and you’ll just need to wring it out when you’re done. You can then toss it straight in the washing machine or wait until the end of your period to wash all your underwear together. 

By hand, in the washing machine, with homemade or store-bought detergent—there are plenty of options! 

Put your period underwear in the washing machine with the rest of your dirty laundry. Don’t worry, the blood won’t get on your clothes! You can put your underwear in a mesh laundry bag. This will protect your period lingerie from possible friction.  

Once your period underwear is in the washing machine, select a short cycle at a maximum of 30°C (86°F). Your period underwear can be washed perfectly with lightly soiled clothes. The delicate cycle or even the wool cycle also work great for washing period underwear. 

You can also wash your period underwear by hand just as easily. How do you do it? Just like with a regular washing machine, you can wait until your period is over to wash all your period panties together. They’ve been rinsed and many are still damp. Soak them in a basin of cold or lukewarm water with a little hand detergent. Gently rub each pair to remove any residue and menstrual flow. Let them soak for about thirty minutes, then rinse and squeeze out the excess water.
  

Avoid detergents that are too greasy, too chemical, acidic cleaners, fabric softeners, or stain removers when washing your period underwear! 

Choose a truly gentle, minimally processed, mild, and low-fat detergent. Harsh solutions can damage the fabric and reduce the absorbency. 

Commercial detergents or DIY detergents made with Marseille or Aleppo soap are not recommended. Detergents with fatty bases can clog the fabric’s pores, making them less effective. 

If you prefer homemade laundry detergents, choose a recipe based on ivy, ashes, or a soap with low glycerin content.

If you used to rely on fabric softener to mask odors and maybe went a little overboard, now it’s time to leave it on the shelf. We promise—once washed, period underwear doesn’t have any bad smells, so there’s no need for fabric softener or even essential oils. Plus, these highly concentrated chemical products can damage the fabric. And, last but not least, fabric softeners and conditioners are really bad for the environment. They’re so resistant to filtration that softener residue ends up polluting rivers! So just skip it. 

Once washed, it’s important to let your period underwear air-dry, preferably flat on a drying rack. Using a dryer is really not recommended. The same goes for direct sunlight or placing it on a radiator, fireplace, or stove. Basically, any intense heat source will damage the fabric and reduce its absorbency. 

Air drying period underwear takes a while, and that’s normal. The absorbent layer is fairly thick and needs time to dry. You’ll need to be patient and plan ahead by having extra pairs of period underwear or another type of protection, like a cup, on hand. 

For this, check out the Louloucup panties + cup bundle. Economical, zero waste, and super convenient—build your own custom bundle.

Well-cared-for period underwear lasts longer. With proper care, period underwear can last 5 to 7 years without any issues. You’ll save money in the long run. 

A well-maintained period panty stays absorbent for a long time, remains reliable and comfortable, and ensures ideal absorption cycle after cycle, year after year. You’ll feel at ease putting it on. You won’t be afraid of leaks or stains. You’ll feel confident, even at night! 

So, take a few minutes to rinse, wring out, clean, and dry your underwear. 

Remember:

• no dye or bleaching,
• no ironing needed,
• no harsh chemicals or detergents,
• no hot water,
• do not dry with direct heat.

Once you know and master a few basic rules, caring for your period underwear isn’t hard—in fact, it’s pretty practical and easy. All Louloucup period panties are made from certified organic cotton with the Oeko-Tex 100 label, so it’s important to take care of them. Check out our full range in our online shop: organic, stylish, and cute period underwear for teens and women, from size XXS to XXXL. Shipping is free in France and Europe, and orders always ship within 48 hours.