A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PERIOD PANTS
Did you know...?
- 4.3 BILLION disposable sanitary products are used in the UK every year
- In the UK 700,000 panty liners, 2.5 million tampons and 1.4 million pads are flushed down the toilet EVERY DAY
- Conventional period products contain plastic - a typical sanitary towel can be up to 90% plastic, and a standard pack of sanitary towels contains the same amount of plastic as 4 carrier bags.
There's some motivation right there for making the switch to reusables for that time of the month.
There are lots of different options out there, so it's really a case of finding out what works for you, but period pants could be a good option for lots of us.
What are period pants?
They are essentially pants that you wear when you have your period. They have an absorbent gusset that soaks up the blood and locks it away.
That sounds a bit grim.
No grimmer than wearing a sanitary pad!
AND the added advantage that there's no slippage, no wedgies, and no plastic tabs sticking to your pubes (ouch).
How do I wash them?
Several options:
- When you take them off, give them a quick rinse and then chuck them in with your next load of darks (confession: I never separate my whites and darks - everything gets chucked in together on a 30C wash). Then hang them to dry.
- Handwash them in the sink with a little bit of normal soap
- When you're in the shower pop them on the floor and squoosh (technical washing term) them around with your feet.
AVOID USING FABRIC SOFTENER AS THIS REDUCES THE ABSORBENCY OF THE PANTS.
Can I tumbledry them?
No. The absorbent layers are heat bonded so if you tumbledry them, they will start to fall apart!
Can I sleep in them?
Yes! They're also great to wear in the few days before your period so you don't get caught out!
Can I exercise in them?
Yes! They're really comfy (no wedgies or pads rubbing) and can also be worn if you get a little bit stress incontinence when you're exercising.
How many pairs do I need?
If you have an average 4-5 day cycle, 7 pairs should be plenty.
Do they leak?
They shouldn't do, but obviously nothing is fail proof. WUKA's 'heavy flow' pants are designed to hold 4 tampons worth of blood, but if you have really heavy periods, you might want to double up with a menstrual cup or something else.
How do I know when I need to change?
Ordinarily the pants should feel dry as the blood is locked away. If you notice a wet feeling, then you probably need to change. As with pads, there's probably an element of trial and error and the time between changes will vary on different days of your cycle.
What about when I'm out or at work?
You can buy all kinds of 'wet bags' either specifically for reusable sanitary products, or nappy bags. Pop a clean pair onto one of these and keep it in your bag. Then simply do a swap with the dirty pair and wash them when you get home.
Do they come in different styles?
Yep. Depending on which brand you go for, there are options for different styles.
Where can I find some?
There are a growing number of period pants brands out there - here are a few to check out:
- WUKA - A UK based company - you can hear more about them in episode 40 of the Sustainable(ish) podcast
- Cheeky Wipes are well known for their reusable wipes kits, but they also make a range of period pants, including a period starter kit for any teenage girls in your life.
- Mobibodi - this Australian brand seem to be popular and were one of the first ones on the market
