How to Wash Reusable Period Pads: A Simple Care Routine

Quick answer

Rinse your reusable pad in cold water as soon as you change it, then wash it with a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Air-dry it completely before storing. Never use fabric softener or bleach, and never put a pad away damp.

Reusable period pads are one of the easiest period products to live with, but they only stay absorbent and odour-free if you handle them properly between wears. The good news: cleaning period pads takes a few minutes, not a full laundry day.

This guide walks through the full reusable pad care routine, from the moment you take a pad off to the moment it goes back in your drawer. Follow it and your washable period pads will keep their shape, their absorbency and their fresh feel for many cycles.

Rinse cold before anything else

As soon as you change your pad, rinse it under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Cold water is the key here: heat sets blood proteins into the fabric, which is exactly how stains become permanent. A quick rinse also stops odour from developing while the pad waits for laundry day.

If you are out and about, fold the used pad and pop it into a leakproof bag until you get home. Do not leave it crumpled at the bottom of a bag for days; the longer it sits, the harder it is to rinse clean.

• Rinse until the water runs clear, not just until the surface looks clean
• Use cold water only at this stage, even in winter

Wash with gentle detergent, not heat

Machine wash your pads on a cold, gentle cycle with a small amount of fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. If you prefer hand washing, soak the pads in cold water with a little detergent for 15 to 30 minutes, then squeeze the water through the fabric rather than scrubbing it. Scrubbing damages the absorbent layers and shortens the pad's life.

Skip fabric softener and bleach entirely. Softener coats the fibres and blocks absorbency, so a pad that once held a full flow starts leaking sooner. Bleach weakens the fabric and can leave residue against your skin. If you want extra freshness, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse instead.

• Wash pads separately from towels and heavy items to avoid lint and wear
• A mesh laundry bag keeps pads from tangling with other laundry

Dry fully, then store dry

Air-drying is the safest option for reusable menstrual pads maintenance. Hang them in a spot with good airflow, ideally in direct sunlight, which helps naturally freshen the fabric. If you use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting; high heat can shrink layers and warp the shape over time.

The most common mistake is putting a pad away while it still feels slightly damp. Even a little moisture encourages mildew, which causes that musty smell people sometimes blame on the pad itself. Check the thickest part of the pad, not just the edges, before you fold it into storage.

• If a pad still smells after washing, re-wash it rather than masking the odour
• Store pads loosely folded in a dry drawer, not in a sealed plastic bag

Build a routine that fits your cycle

Most people find it easiest to rinse pads daily and run one small wash at the end of their period. That keeps the routine short and avoids a pile-up. If you have a heavy flow, keep a small wet bag in your bathroom so used pads have somewhere to wait without sitting in open air.

Having enough pads to cover a full cycle makes the whole process calmer. A set of two or three pads per day of your period means you are never forced to wash in a hurry or reuse a pad before it is fully dry.

• Rinse daily, wash at the end of your period, dry completely before storing
• Replace pads when the absorbent layer stops holding a normal flow

Your reusable pad care steps at a glance

1. 1. Rinse immediately in cold water: Hold the pad under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Do not wait until laundry day if you can avoid it. Checkpoint: if the rinse water is still visibly pink, keep rinsing.
2. 2. Store used pads in a leakproof bag: If you cannot rinse right away, seal the pad in a leakproof bag until you get home. Avoid plastic bags that trap odour and moisture. Checkpoint: a dedicated wet bag keeps your everyday bag clean.
3. 3. Wash cold with gentle detergent: Machine wash on a cold, gentle cycle or hand wash in cold water for 15 to 30 minutes. Use fragrance-free detergent and skip softener and bleach. Checkpoint: softener is the number one cause of pads that stop absorbing.
4. 4. Air-dry completely: Hang pads in good airflow, ideally in sunlight. If using a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting to protect the layers. Checkpoint: feel the thickest part of the pad, not just the edges.
5. 5. Store dry and loosely folded: Once fully dry, fold pads loosely and keep them in a dry drawer. Never store them in a sealed container while damp. Next step: replace any pad that stays damp-smelling after a fresh wash.

Related Love Luna products for period care

• Teen Period Ready Pack - Black: Includes a silicone leakproof bag and two pairs of Love Luna First Period Briefs in a classic bikini shape, designed to store backup briefs discreetly. The leakproof bag is exactly the kind of container that works well for transporting used pads or briefs home before rinsing, so nothing else in your bag gets exposed.
• Adult Period Swim Bikini Brief - Deep Pine: Features four layers of protection and water-repellent fabric designed to keep your period locked away in and out of the water. If you swim on lighter days, period swimwear covers that part of your routine, so your washable pads stay in the drawer rather than getting chlorine exposure.

Reusable pad care comes down to three habits: rinse cold, wash gently, and dry completely. Get those right and your pads will stay comfortable, absorbent and ready for the next cycle.