If you’ve ever looked into reusable period products and thought, this sounds like a lot of effort, you’re definitely not alone. There’s a common assumption that switching from disposables to reusables means less convenience but the reality is, there’s not much difference.
But here’s the reality: caring for reusable period products is simple, quick, and genuinely no more time-consuming than using tampons or disposable pads. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes just another part of your normal routine like doing your laundry. I mean you wouldn’t throw away your underwear after one wear so why throw away your period care?
In this blog we’ll walk through exactly how to care for reusable pads, period underwear, menstrual cups and menstrual discs.
Reusable Period Care Is Easier Than You Think
The biggest barrier for most people isn’t actually using reusable products, it’s the idea of caring for them. People often imagine complicated routines or something time-consuming and inconvenient. In reality, the process is incredibly straightforward. Caring for reusable period products usually comes down to a quick rinse, a regular wash and letting them dry. Exactly the same as washing your other clothes! There’s no complicated system to learn and no special effort required beyond what you’re already doing in your daily life.
If anything, reusable products simplify things. Instead of constantly restocking disposables, you’re just rotating through products you already own.
The Core Routine: Rinse, Wash, Dry
No matter which reusable product you’re using, the care process follows the same basic pattern. After use, most products benefit from a rinse in cold water if it is possible. If there’s no tap handy, don’t stress - just do it when you can. After rinsing, they’re either washed straight away or stored until your next load of laundry. Once washed, they’re dried and ready to go again.
Caring for Reusable Pads
Reusable pads are often the easiest place to start when transitioning away from disposables. They work similarly to traditional pads, but instead of throwing them away, you simply wash and reuse them.
After wearing a reusable pad, the first step is to rinse it in cold water. This helps remove any excess fluid and prevents staining. Cold water is important here, as hot water can actually set stains into the fabric.
If you’re not washing your pads immediately, you can store them in a wet bag until you’re ready to do a load of laundry. This keeps everything contained and odour-free, making it a practical option whether you’re at home or on the go.
When it comes time to wash, reusable pads can go straight into the washing machine with your regular laundry. A standard detergent works perfectly well, and there’s no need for anything specialised. One key thing to avoid, however, is fabric softener. Fabric softener can coat the fibres of the pad and interfere with its absorbent technology, reducing its effectiveness over time.
After washing, pads can be line dried or tumble dried on a low setting. With proper care, high-quality reusable pads, like those from Hello Period, can last for years, making them both a practical and cost-effective option.
Caring for Period Underwear
Period underwear follows a very similar care routine to reusable pads but is arguably even more convenient because it replaces both underwear and a pad in one.
After wearing period underwear, it’s best to rinse it in cold water as soon as you can. This helps remove any excess fluid and keeps the fabric fresh before washing. Once rinsed, it can go straight into your regular laundry.
Again, a normal detergent is all you need. And just like with reusable pads, it’s important to skip fabric softener. The absorbent layers in period underwear rely on their ability to draw moisture away, and fabric softener can disrupt this function.
Dry them inside out on a clothes line or inside on a drying rack. Over time, you’ll find that caring for period underwear feels no different to washing activewear or swimwear.
Caring for Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups might seem more technical at first but the care routine is surprisingly minimal. During your period, caring for a cup is as simple as removing it, emptying the contents into the toilet, rinsing it with water, giving it a quick wash with a mild soap and reinserting it. This process takes only a few minutes and quickly becomes part of your normal bathroom routine. If you’re in a public restroom and don’t have access to a sink, you can simply wipe the cup with toilet paper then rinse and wash it later. Menstrual cups are designed to be practical and flexible so you don’t need perfect conditions for every change.
The material used in high-quality cups, such as medical-grade silicone or TPE, is non-porous and easy to clean, which helps keep things hygienic with minimal effort.
Caring for Menstrual Discs
Menstrual discs follow a very similar care routine to cups. During your period, you simply remove the disc, empty it, rinse it with cold water, wash with a mild soap, rinse and reinsert it. Like cups, discs from reputable brands will be made from durable, body-safe silicone that is designed for repeated use and easy cleaning. Hello Period’s disc, the Hello Disc, for example, is made from platinum, medical-grade silicone which not only ensures safety but also makes cleaning quick and straightforward.
Cleaning vs Sterilising: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common areas of confusion when it comes to menstrual cups and menstrual discs is the difference between cleaning and sterilising. Cleaning is what you do every day during your period. Just like washing your hands. It involves rinsing your cup or disc and, if possible, washing with a mild soap. This keeps the product clean and ready for continued use throughout your cycle.
Sterilising on the other hand, is something you only need to do occasionally. Typically, this means sterilising your cup or disc at the end of your period before storing it, or at the beginning of your next cycle before using it again.
You do not need to sterilise your cup or disc every time you empty it. Daily sterilising is unnecessary and would only complicate what is otherwise a very simple routine.
The Easiest Way to Sterilise: Hello Steamy
When it comes to sterilising, the goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. Hello Period’s Hello Steamy is designed to do exactly that. Instead of boiling your cup or disc on the stove, Hello Steamy offers a simple, contained solution.
To use it, you add a small amount of water to the base, place your cup or disc inside, put the lid on and press the button. The device then heats the water to create steam, effectively sterilising the product. Once the cycle is complete, it automatically shuts off, so there’s no need to monitor it. This makes sterilising quick, convenient, and easy to fit into your routine. It’s especially helpful for people who want a dedicated, hygienic method that doesn’t involve kitchen equipment.
How Often Do You Need to Do All This?
When you break it down, the care routine for reusable period products is very manageable.
Reusable pads and period underwear are rinsed after use and then washed with your regular laundry. Menstrual cups and discs are rinsed between uses during your period and sterilised once per cycle. That’s the full extent of it. There’s no hidden complexity or time-consuming process, just a few simple steps that quickly become routine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although reusable period care is straightforward, there are a few common mistakes that are worth avoiding. Using hot water as the first step when rinsing can set stains into fabric, so it’s always best to start with cold water. Fabric softener should be avoided entirely for pads and period underwear, as it can reduce absorbency over time.
Another common misconception is that cups and discs need to be sterilised constantly. In reality, sterilising once per cycle is more than sufficient. Overcomplicating the process is often what makes it seem harder than it actually is.
Do Reusable Products Smell?
A lot of people worry about odour when it comes to reusable period products, but when they’re cared for properly, smell isn’t an issue.
Because you’re rinsing and washing the products regularly and because they’re made from high-quality materials, they should stay fresh. In fact, many people find that reusable products have less odour than disposables.
Built to Last
One of the biggest advantages of reusable period products is their longevity.
High-quality menstrual cups and discs can last for up to five years, while reusable pads and period underwear will last at least two years with proper care. This not only makes them more sustainable but also far more cost-effective over time.
Hello Period products are designed with durability in mind, using premium materials that are made to withstand repeated use and washing without losing performance.
Don’t let myths about reusable period care being ‘higher in admin’ put you off making the switch from disposables. Caring for reusable period products is simple. It doesn’t require extra time or special effort. Once you get into the rhythm, it feels just as normal as any other part of your self-care routine. If you’ve been hesitant to make the switch because of the care factor, it’s worth rethinking. The reality is a lot more convenient than you might expect.
