How to wash period underwear? The big one flow- washing guide

From 30 degree washing to panic over the dryer. Here you get our best advice for washing your period underwear – even when things go a little wrong.

"HELP! My Flows came on at 60 degrees 😭”

Don't worry. You're not the first.
Over the years we've had some mildly panicked messages in the inbox from the world best flowusers who discover that their period underwear has been on a little washing adventure.

“My sweet considerate husband has washed my Flows… at 60 degrees 🙈 Do you have any experience with whether it destroys the absorbency?”

Or:

“Unfortunately I have come to put a pair of panties in the dryer. Now I'm not sure if they can still be used or if I've completely ruined them.”

And our personal favorite among the laundry questions:

“I find that they smell. Can I wash them with fabric softener to get rid of the smell?"

We understand your concern. Because when you've invested in a good pair period underwear, of course you want them to last as long as possible.

Luckily period underwear are not made of porcelain (what if they were?!). But they contain some functional materials that benefit from a little thought.

So let's once and for all take the big flowwashing guide. Both how to take the best care of your panties and what actually happens if you do something wrong.

How to wash period underwear?

The good news is that it's pretty simple. You don't need special washing machine programs, hand washing for hours or a doctorate in textile care.
At flow we recommend three steps:

1. Rinse in cold water after useuntil the water is fairly clear (most important point!)

2. Wash at 30 degrees with a suitable detergent and without fabric softener.

3. Hang to air dry instead of using the dryer.

Indeed it is. But we know that reality does not always follow perfect washing instructions. So let's elaborate.

1. Rinse your period underwear in cold water after use ❄️

When you take off your period underwear , we recommend that you rinse them in cold water until the water runs fairly clear. Why cold water?

Blood contains proteins which can become more attached to textile fibers when exposed to heat. Therefore, cold water is a good place to start when you want to wash blood off the fabric. You do not need to use soap in this step. Water is fine.

HOT TIP from us: Place a tub or bucket in the bottom of the shower before you shower. Place the panties in the tub and let it collect the cold water while you wait for the shower to warm up. Then the panties get their cold rinse, and you get to use some of the water that would otherwise run straight down the drain.

Win-win.

What if I don't have to wash right away?

Then you simply hang the panties to dry after rinsing - preferably inside out. When they are dry, they can wait for the next wash.
The most important thing is that you do not leave them wet and crumpled in the laundry basket for several days. Damp textiles provide good conditions for odor and microbial growth.

2. Wash your period underwear at 30 degrees

Once the panties have been rinsed, they can go straight into the washing machine.

We recommend washing at 30 degrees, which is the washing instructions for our period underwear.

It is hot enough for normal washing with a suitable detergent, while the temperature is gentler on the materials than a 60-degree wash.

period underwear does not only consist of ordinary panty fabric. In the crotch there are several functional layers that are woven in special ways to perform their function: to absorb blood and help prevent bleeding. Therefore, it is important to take care of both the absorbent textiles, the elastics and the water-repellent membrane.

We also recommend:

• Use a laundry bag, which protects the panties from friction and from getting stuck in other clothes.

• Wash with similar colors.

• Use a suitable detergent in the recommended dosage (Bloody Clean is very difficult to use)

• Avoid fabric softener and bleach (important!)

And yes, you may wash your period underwear together with your other laundry. They don't need their own little private washing machine.

3. Hang your period underwear to air dry

After washing, you simply hang them to dry - preferably inside out, so that the air can circulate around it. You can also hang them outside when the weather permits.

Because period underwear has more layers in the crotch, they may take longer to dry than regular panties. That's perfectly normal.
Make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in the drawer.

And then to the question that makes our inbox glow.

"My husband washed them at 60 degrees. ARE THEY DEAD?"

No, not necessarily ❤️

If your period underwear has by mistake been washed at 60 degrees once, it does not automatically mean that they must go straight into the bin.
But we also cannot guarantee that they are completely unaffected.

Higher temperatures can strain textiles, elastics and membranes. And if 60 degrees becomes their regular washing program, it can shorten the life of the panties.

What do you do if the accident happened?

Let them dry completely and examine them.

Do they still fit like they used to? Is the elastic intact? Does the absorbent area look normal?

If everything works normally, you can try them again, but pay attention to whether they still absorb and hold tight as expected. If possible, test them at home on a day with light bleeding, before you trust them for a long day at work or a night with a heavy one. the towels. period.

And next time: Back to 30 degrees.

"They snuck into the dryer 😭”

We know that. You empty the washing machine, move the whole pile into the dryer, and only afterwards do you discover that there were a few Flows between the towels.

Ups.

A single mistake does not necessarily mean that the panties are damaged.
However, high heat and mechanical stress can affect elastics, membranes and other materials.
That is why we do not recommend dryers for ours period underwear.

If they have already been in the tumbler, check the fit, elastic and visible signs of damage on any changes in absorption or leakage at the next use.
And in the future? applies

"I ended up using fabric softener..."

Cloth rinse immediately sounds like a good idea.
Soft underwear, fresh scent, the whole package.

But when it comes to period underwear, it is actually one of the products we recommend that you keep far away from the washing machine.

Facilitate can leave substances on the textile fibers that affect how they absorb liquid.
And it is a bit impractical when the panties' main task is precisely to absorb menstrual blood.

Have you ever used fabric softener time?

Then it's not necessarily a disaster. Wash the panties again without fabric softener and pay attention to whether they still work as expected.
But don't make it a habit.
And if you were considering fabric softener because your panties smell, read on.

"Why does my period underwear – also smell after washing?"

This is actually one of the questions we often get. Not without reason.

period underwear is developed to absorb and retain liquid. When blood and moisture stay in the textiles, a smell can develop over time, especially if the panties are not rinsed, washed or dried properly.

The smell can be caused, among other things, by residues of blood and other organic substances that bacteria can convert.
This does not necessarily mean that your panties are ruined. If you experience an odor, we recommend that you review your washing routine:

• Do you rinse the panties after use?

• Are they hung to dry if they are not washed immediately?

• Do you use a detergent that is suitable for the textiles?

• Do you dose the detergent correctly?

• When to dry the panties completely between uses?

If the smell persists, you can try washing them again according to the instructions and possibly use a suitable detergent for odor problems.

And then of course there is our own little laundry helper:

Bloody Clean – developed for washing of period underwear 🫧

We have developed Bloody Clean specifically with menstrual underwear in mind.

For regular underwear and absorbent period underwear are exposed to slightly different things during the course of a day.

Bloody Clean is a detergent with probiotic ingredients, developed for cleaning textiles and to help with odor nuisance. It can be used for your regular washing of the flowpanties.

For normal washing, we recommend 20 ml, while 25 ml can be used for heavier soiling or hard water, in accordance with the product's dosing instructions.

And remember: More detergent does not necessarily equal cleaner panties.

→ Find BLOODY CLEAN

How long does it last period underwear?

Your Flows are made to be used again and again. But like all other underwear, they wear out over time.

How long they last depends, among other things, on how often you use them, how you wash them and how much friction they are exposed to.

If you cycle every day, for example, the fabric between the legs will typically be exposed to more wear. A bit like your favorite jeans that always get skinny in the same place.

Even though we don't use PFAS or nanosilver antibacterial treatments in our period underwear, that doesn't mean the materials last forever. That's why it's a good idea to keep an eye on:

• Whether the panties still absorb as they usually do.

• Whether the elastic still closes tightly around the legs.

• Whether the fabric has worn thin or damaged.

• Whether there are signs of damage in the absorbent area or the membrane.

If the panties no longer hold tight or absorb as expected, it's time to replace them. But if you take good care of them, you give them the best conditions for a long life in the panty drawer.

FAQ: The questions we most often get about washing period underwear

How to wash period underwear?

First rinse the panties in cold water after use. Then wash them in the washing machine according to the manufacturer's washing instructions, typically at 30–40 degrees, without fabric softener. Let them air dry completely before the next use.

Can period underwear be washed at 60 degrees?

We recommend 30 degrees for flow-period underwear. A single wash at 60 degrees does not necessarily mean that they are destroyed, but high heat can affect the materials and their function. We therefore cannot guarantee unchanged absorption after washing at a higher temperature than recommended.

Can period underwear be put in the tumble dryer?

We advise against tumble drying your period underwearbecause heat can affect elastics and functional materials. Air drying is the best solution.

Can you use fabric softener for period underwear?

No, we recommend avoiding fabric softener. It can leave substances on the fibers that affect their ability to absorb liquid.

Should period underwear be washed separately?

No. After being rinsed after use, they can usually be washed with other clothes at the same temperature and with similar colors. Feel free to use a laundry bag.

Why do my period underwear smell after washing?

It may be due to residues of blood or other organic substances, insufficient washing or that the panties have been damp for too long. Review the washing routine and ensure the panties are completely dry between uses.

Should period underwear be hand washed?

No. Your flow-period underwear can be washed in the washing machine at a maximum of 40 degrees. The cold rinse after use is just an extra step before machine washing.

How long can period underwear last?

It depends on use, washing and wear of the materials. Proper care can extend the lifespan, but absorption, elastic and membranes can wear out over time. Replace the panties if they no longer work as expected.

 

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And remember: We are also here when the washing machine has lived its own life ❤️

We know that washing is not always done by the book.

Sometimes the panties smoke at 60 degrees. Other times you forget to rinse them. And occasionally the dryer gets its hands on something it shouldn't. It happens.

If you are in doubt about the best way to look after your Flows, you are always welcome to write to us. We have heard about a little bit of everything.

Take good care of your Flows and they will take good care of you.