Hi, it’s Kay, the padmaker here at Moody V! I’m here to tell you the ins and outs of cleaning cloth menstrual pads. There’s a few different approaches to getting your reusable pads clean and ready to use again, it just depends on your resources and your preferences! By resources I mean, do you have a laundry machine, or a place to soak pads if you’d like.

So, I’ve had my pads for 4 years and have been cleaning them the same way the whole time. They’ve held up pretty well, with some fading and some reduction of softness over time. Here’s how I clean cloth pads:

  1. Take the cloth menstrual pad off your underwear and toss it in the hamper with the rest of your clothes.
  2. Wash your pads with your clothes in cold water with gentle detergent and no fabric softener. (Cold water works best to remove blood. It’s good to use a gentle detergent because your pad is gonna be real up close and personal in a sensitive area. Fabric softener makes fabric less absorbent.)
  3. When you’re transferring the laundry from the washer to the dryer, stretch them gently and flatten them out before putting them in the dryer so they dry in a nice flat shape instead of a crumpled up ball.
  4. Make sure your pads are totally dry before you put them away.

That’s all there is to it! That’s my favorite way to do it because it’s fast, easy, and effective. Since there’s no pre-rinse or presoak, though, there could still be some light stains hanging around. This is a non-issue with dark colored reusable pads, luckily. I’ve also found that stains fade over time. I personally don’t mind it cause I’m like, hey, I’m just gonna stain it again next month.

Here’s the way I tell all my customers to clean their pads, just so there’s no hard feelings about staining, fading, or pads getting bent out of shape in the dryer.

  1. Take the reusable pad off your underwear and give it a good rinse with cold water as soon as you can. You can also keep a container of cool water in the bathroom to soak pads until laundry day if you’d like. (This step helps reduce staining.)
  2. Wash your pads in the washing machine with regular laundry in cold water with gentle detergent and no fabric softener.
  3. Hang dry or sun dry your cloth pads thoroughly before putting them away. (Sun drying will cause color fading.)

This way is a great way to make your pads last a super long time, and keep them pretty and soft.

The last way is to do everything the same as the steps we just went through, but with hand washing instead of using a washing machine. You can use a bit of detergent and wash them in the sink if you don’t have a machine or prefer to do it this way. It’s all up to you, friend! Good luck with cleaning your new cloth menstrual pads, you’re gonna love them!

Cleaning Cloth Menstrual Pads

Moody Reviews

These pads feel *heavenly* to wear. Soft, barely noticeable but not too lightweight, and they stay in place all day!!! I love them, I can’t wait to get my next paycheck so I can order more. :) these were my first experience with the switch to reusables and I’m very impressed. If anyone else is on the edge of starting this route, GO FOR IT. Especially if you’ve ever suffered from itchiness from those plastic pad materials..this is so much better.

Lydia

It's my first time buying reusable pads and I'm really happy with this pair. The print and design sold me, but the comfort and reliability have exceeded my expectations. They work for daytime and overnight use with no problems compared to disposable pads. Wish I bought these sooner. They're a total game changer for periods.

Kim

Beautiful pattern, expertly stitched, and lovely seller. Beyond happy. Very fast shipping too! Thank you so much!!! ❤️

Emily

High-quality, low maintenance reusable pads! Really nice, and they do stain but that can’t really be helped aside from doing a quick handwash before tossing it in the machine. Will definitely be purchasing more in the future!

Joey

These are the best!! They are not bulky and the fabric is so comfortable. I have tried shapes and patterns from several of the best selling shops and these are my favorite.

Ada

I like that they have metal snaps! The ones I have with plastic snaps do not last as long. I think these will hold up for a few years. Thank you!

Phoebe
Confusion Checkpoint

I know right!? Ok, so cloth menstrual pads are a washable, reusable alternative to disposable pads. Pretty sweet, right?

  • The regular absorbency pads are good for light to moderate flows. They are 100% cotton, with a layer of terry cloth (towel material) inside for absorbency. Cotton is a moisture wicking and breathable fabric, which allows menstrual fluid to dry rapidly, keeping you comfy and dry. This also means that these cloth pads can absorb a surprising amount of fluid!
  • The heavy absorbency pads are perfect for moderate to heavy flows. Heavy pads are longer than regular pads. These pads are primarily cotton, with cotton flannel and terry cloth for absorbency and breathability. Additionally, they have a layer of polyurethane laminate (PUL) inside. This is a waterproof, laminated fabric that protects you from leakage. In the heavy pads, the PUL lining is in the pad core (the part that’s shaped like a peanut)!
  • The overnight cloth pads are great for heavy flows, and for overnight use. Overnight pads are longer than heavy pads, and flare out at each end. These pads are made of cotton flannel, cotton terry cloth, and PUL lining. In the overnights, the PUL lining extends throughout the entire base of the pad, so even the wings are leakproof!

Cloth liners are lovely for really light days, and as a backup for a tampon or menstrual cup. They are made of five layers of cotton. They are soft, barely noticeable, and peace of mind for that bit of protection.

Moody V regular absorbency pads and cloth liners are made with 100% cotton, which makes your down-there oh-so happy. Cotton is a breathable, moisture wicking fabric that creates a difficult environment for yucky bacteria like yeast to grow. 

Disposable pads are mostly synthetic, which is fully not nice to your body. They’re made out of bleached wood pulp (what the?) and non-biodegradable materials.

Moody V’s heavy cloth pads and overnight cloth pads are also primarily cotton. They have a polyurethane lining inside, which keeps moisture from leaking through. This lining is non-biodegradable (I know, it sucks). But remember, you’re not just gonna throw it away, you’ll probably use it like, 100 times.

The regular absorbency pads are made with cotton flannel and cotton terry cloth (like a towel material). Liners are just cotton flannel. Ugh! So simple! Love that!

The heavy cloth menstrual pads and overnight cloth pads are made with cotton flannel, cotton terry cloth, and polyurethane laminate. Ugh! Slightly less simple but still wow amazing and great! Love that!

Look at the “Wh-. . . What? Who? Where? What?” question at the top of this FAQ page to learn out each variety of pads work!

Method 1: Rinse with cold water ASAP to reduce staining. Machine wash cold, then air dry thoroughly to maintain a nice shape.

Method 2: Machine wash cold, tumble dry.*

*Method 2 gets your pad clean and ready to use again real quick, but may result in light staining and scrunching-up in the dryer. (Stains fade over time and you can stretch the pad gently with your hands to un-scrunch it.)

Some folks like to keep a container of cool water in their bathroom so they can soak their pads until they’re ready to wash them. This helps remove stains without using chemicals or potentially fabric-damaging products.

It’s recommended to avoid using fabric softener, as it makes fabric less absorbent.

Another good rule of thumb is not to use anything on your pads you wouldn’t wash your underwear with. Your pads are gonna be up close and personal with a sensitive area, so avoid harsh or irritating chemicals when washing them.

Cloth pads contain several layers of fabric, which means it might need extra time drying. Make sure they’re super dry out of the dryer or dry them in the sun to prevent mildew. Do be aware that sun-drying can result in fabric discoloration.

See more Frequently Asked Questions!