Deep Cleaning your Menstrual Panties: How to Make Your Panties Effective Again
You've invested in period panties for their comfort, durability, and eco-friendliness. However, after several months of use, you've noticed they're less absorbent, that leaks are appearing, or that the texture of the absorbent part has become cardboardy? It's probably time to clean your menstrual panties.
This deep cleaning process restores the absorbency of your menstrual underwear and significantly extends its lifespan. In this comprehensive guide, we explain everything you need to know about cleaning menstrual panties: why, when, and how to do it effectively.
What is Menstrual Panties Cleaning?
Degreasing is a deep cleaning process that aims to remove residue accumulated in the absorbent fibers of your menstrual panties. Despite regular and careful maintenance, the technical fabrics of washable menstrual protection can gradually become dirty over time.
These residues come from a variety of sources: limescale in wash water, saponin in some detergents, glycerin added to detergents, dried blood particles, and mineral buildup. This gradual saturation of the fibers creates an invisible barrier that prevents the panties from properly absorbing menstrual flow.
Degreasing removes these residues to restore the fabrics' optimal absorption capacity. This practice is part of a sustainable and circular economy approach, allowing you to keep your menstrual panties performing at their best for 5 to 7 years.
Why Clean Your Menstrual Panties?
Restore Absorption Capacity
The main reason for degreasing is to restore menstrual panties to their original absorbency. The fabric fibers eventually become clogged over the cycles, regardless of the detergent used, especially because manufacturers recommend not washing panties above 40°C.
This relatively low temperature, although essential for preserving the technical properties of the fabrics, does not always allow for the complete elimination of all the residues which gradually accumulate.
Eliminate Persistent Odors
Clogging of the fibers can also cause unpleasant odors. Bacteria find refuge in the accumulated residue and thrive, creating unpleasant odors even after washing. Degreasing thoroughly sanitizes the underwear and eliminates these unpleasant odors.
Extend the Life of Your Panties
Regular cleaning maximizes the longevity of your menstrual panties. Proper care allows you to use your washable protection for many years, thus recouping your initial investment and reducing your environmental footprint.
Preventing Health Risks
Poor hygiene increases the risk of infections and irritations. Biological and bacterial residue, if not properly removed, can create an environment conducive to the proliferation of unwanted germs. Cleaning therefore plays an essential preventative role in your intimate health.
How to Know if Your Period Panties Are Dirty?
The Water Repellency Test
This quick and easy test allows you to assess how soiled your panties are. Pour a trickle of water or a few drops onto the absorbent part of your menstrual panties. The water should not bead up; it should be absorbed immediately. If it beads up or takes a long time to absorb, it probably means your panties are soiled.
The Swoosh Test
This test involves checking that the absorbent part of the panties is not clogged with detergent residue. Place your menstrual panties in a basin of warm water and rub them. If the water remains clear and does not foam, there is no detergent residue. However, if the water becomes cloudy or foams, there is still embedded detergent.
Visual and Tactile Signs
Several signs can reveal fouling:
- The absorbent part becomes rigid, cardboardy to the touch
- Leaks appear when the flow is not particularly abundant
- Stains persist despite careful washing
- An unpleasant smell remains after washing
- The panties take an abnormally long time to dry
Cleaning with Oxygen bleach (Sodium Percarbonate): The Recommended Method
What is Sodium Percarbonate?
Sodium percarbonate or Oxygen bleach is a natural and environmentally friendly detergent (white micro-beads) made from soda crystals and hydrogen peroxide. It is known for its descaling, stain-removing, deodorizing, and whitening properties.
This product works particularly well on technical fabrics used in menstrual panties. Its properties are activated when the grains come into contact with water, particularly hot water (between 40°C and 60°C).
Step-by-Step Cleansing Protocol
Step 1: Preparation Make sure your period panties are clean before cleaning. Wash them normally if you haven't already.
Step 2: Preparing the solution In a basin or bucket, dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach in 1 liter of hot water (between 40°C and 60°C). Heat is essential to activate the properties of the percarbonate.
Step 3: Cooling Wait a few minutes for the water to cool down a little before submerging your menstrual panties. This step protects the technical fibers from thermal shock.
Step 4: Soaking Submerge your menstrual underwear in the oxygen bleach solution and let it soak for at least two hours. This will help remove stubborn stains and odors. You can extend the soaking time up to overnight if the stain is severe.
Step 5: Rinse and wash Rinse the panties and then machine wash them at 30 or 40°C before letting them air dry. This wash removes any percarbonate residue.
Precautions for Use of Oxygen bleach
Oxygen bleach can be irritating, so it is advisable to use gloves when handling it, protect your eyes, and avoid breathing its vapors. Handle this product in a well-ventilated area.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean water, the panties present no risk to your skin or intimate mucous membranes.
Alternative Method: Cleaning with White Vinegar
If you don't have sodium percarbonate, white vinegar is a natural alternative, although slightly less effective.
Vinegar Protocol
Soak your panties for a few hours in a mixture of white vinegar and water (5 cl per liter). And if you have a bothersome odor, add a level tablespoon of baking soda.
Vinegar sanitizes fabrics and restores their absorbency to the fibers, while baking soda neutralizes odors. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and then machine wash normally.
Pay Attention to Frequency
Don't repeat this procedure too frequently: the vinegar will "attack" the waterproof membrane of your menstrual panties. Reserve this method for emergencies or alternate it with cleaning with percarbonate.
When to Clean Your Menstrual Panties?
Recommended Frequency
Clean your period panties if you have a problem with them, or once or twice a year as a preventative measure. This frequency helps maintain the performance of your panties without prematurely wearing out the fabric.
Situations Requiring Cleaning
Perform an immediate cleaning if you observe:
- Repeated leaks with your usual panties
- A significant decrease in absorption capacity
- Stains that persist despite normal washing
- Unpleasant odors even after washing
- Failure of the water repellency test or the Swoosh test
Preventing Clogging: Good Maintenance Practices
Immediate Rinse
Rinse your period panties in cold water as soon as you remove them, until the water runs clear. This crucial step prevents blood from drying and becoming embedded in the fibers.
Choice of Laundry Detergent
Use a compatible detergent for your menstrual panties, meaning one without added glycerin. Choose powder detergents over liquid detergents, or opt for authentic Marseille soap containing more than 70% vegetable oil.
Products to Absolutely Avoid
Never use on your menstrual panties:
- Fabric softener or fabric softener
- Bleach or whitening products
- Harsh chemical stain removers
- Detergents containing added glycerin
- Essential oils directly on the panties
Optimal Wash Settings
Use spin cycles at 1200 rpm to remove as much dirty rinse water as possible. Choose a cold rinse for 1 hour instead of the minimum 40 minutes to thoroughly rinse your menstrual panties.
Proper Drying
Always air dry your panties, laying them flat, avoiding folding the absorbent part. Do not expose them to direct sunlight and never use a tumble dryer, radiator, or any other direct heat source.
Washing Machine Maintenance
Clean your washing machine as regularly as possible, preferably monthly. A clean machine ensures effective rinsing and limits the buildup of dirt in your laundry.
Very Dirty Panties: What to Do?
If your underwear still doesn't perform well despite an initial cleaning, don't be discouraged. Sometimes, very dirty menstrual underwear will need two baths with sodium percarbonate.
Repeat the cleaning process following the same steps. If the panties have not recovered their original performance after two cleanings, the fibers may be permanently damaged and it is time to renew your protection.
Cleaning and Sustainability: An Ecological Gesture
Cleaning is fully in line with the ecological approach that motivates the use of menstrual panties. By significantly extending the lifespan of your washable protection, this practice reinforces their positive impact on the environment.
A well-maintained pair of menstrual panties can be used for 5 to 7 years, avoiding the need for hundreds of disposable pads. Regular cleaning maximizes this longevity and maximizes the return on your initial investment.
Perdième: Menstrual Panties Designed to Last
At Perdième, we design our menstrual panties with high-quality materials and high-performance technical fabrics. Our protections are designed to stand the test of time when properly cared for.
By following the cleaning tips presented in this article, you will optimize the performance of your Perdième panties and enjoy their lasting comfort and reliable protection. Our varied range meets all needs: light flow , medium flow or heavy flow , with models adapted to each body shape.
Discover our complete collection in our online store and invest in durable menstrual protection that will last for many years.
Conclusion
Cleaning menstrual panties isn't a chore, but a simple step that ensures the longevity and effectiveness of your washable protection. By doing this once or twice a year, or as soon as the first signs of clogging appear, you'll preserve your investment and maintain optimal hygiene.
Sodium percarbonate is the ideal ally for this deep cleaning: natural, ecological, and particularly effective. Combined with rigorous daily maintenance and the use of suitable detergents, cleaning allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of menstrual panties for many years.
Adopt these best practices and your Perdième menstrual panties will remain as effective as the first day, offering you comfort, security and peace of mind throughout your cycles.
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