Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

You are considering or already made the switch to this reusable menstrual product and now you are wondering about how to wash your cloth pad? Here is a blog article that gives you some cleaning tips…and is followed by PART 2: Choosing a soap to wash cloth pads and PART 3: Introducing the new Cloth-Pad-Soap made by our friends at MGEcoduties.

 

Cloth pad washing steps

We frequently get asked how to wash our cloth pads. There are a few steps that are essential when it comes to washing reusable menstrual pads.

We recently updated our product leaflet for you. Here it is! In the care instructions we share a step by step washing routine. Have a look, you might find it helpful, even if you are already using cloth pads.

  • Soaking in cold water first is essential for removing blood from all materials, not just cloth pads. It’s important to avoid hot water during the first rinse, because it sets blood stains. Leave for minimum 30 minutes.
  • Facing the used side downward facilitates the soaking routine. This is a great tip gained from user experience: The blood “falls” out of the fabric to the bottom of the water bucket, as opposed to setting deeper into the pad if soaked facing upward. Try it out and notice the difference!
  • Rinsing until the (cold) water runs clear after the soaking process, will clean most of the blood out of the fabric.
  • Washing with soap further helps remove residues, especially to wash out the fat-based blood components. You can wash your pad by hand, or in the washing machine along with other clothes.
  • Pulling the wet cloth pad into shape helps to keep its form and avoid cotton shrinkage.
  • Thorough drying is important. You can do this on a clothesline, or in a tumble dryer on low heat.
  • Drying in direct sunlight can help prevent staining and is a natural sanitizer.

 

Extra cloth pad washing tips

You can find more care tips in the FAQ section on our website. Here are a few:

  • Use a little baking soda (not baking powder) to attack old stains you didn’t wash previously.
  • Add a little white vinegar to the water of your last rinse to help keep the fabric soft. This is especially useful if you live in an area with hard water.
  • Add a few drops of essential oil to the water, i.e. Rose, Lavender or Lemongrass, to give your pads a lovely scent
  • Our Foldable Pad is ideal for quick drying. You can unfold it! This is especially useful while traveling, for cold climates and during Indian monsoon season.

 

Your own cloth pad washing routine

Every cloth pad user develops their own washing routine that matches the rhythm and routine of their life.

Some wash each single pad immediately after use. Others wash their daily batch at the end of each period day. Again others collect all pads throughout their whole period and wash them all together at the very end. Find out what works for you. Have a look at Eco Femme user Anita’s washing routine.

 

Making the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products

Curious about what soap to use to wash your cloth pads? Find some inspiration in part 2 of this blog series How to wash my cloth pad? – PART 2: Choosing a soap

 

a row of pads hanging on a washing line in the sun

Photo credit: Linda Varch (Ireland) 🙂

 

By Stephanie – Eco Femme

*Cover image credit: @we.for.vegan (Hong Kong) with thanks!