How to Wash Reusable Pads (Step by Step)
Reusable pads are a kinder choice for your body, your budget, and the planet, and keeping them clean is far simpler than it looks. There are a few ways to do it, from a quick cold rinse and air dry to a warm machine wash, and they all come down to the same handful of habits.
This guide walks you through the full routine: when to wash, what detergent to reach for, how to soak, and how to dry your pads without shrinking them. No special products you do not need.
Is washing cloth pads really that much work?
Not at all. Once it becomes part of your laundry rhythm, it takes almost no extra effort.
The short version: pre-rinse the pad in cool water with a mild soap, then wash it in cool or warm water and hang it to dry. Hang drying keeps the fabric from shrinking the way it can on high heat.
Wash your pads before the first use
Always wash brand-new pads before you wear them. A first wash clears away any manufacturing residue and helps the bamboo terry reach its full absorbency.
Choosing the right detergent
Reach for a detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes. A few that work well:
- A plain liquid laundry detergent. Skip dishwasher detergent, which usually carries too many dyes.
- A fragrance-free, dye-free liquid detergent.
- A mild castile soap.
Never use fabric softener. It leaves a waxy coating that reduces absorbency and traps bacteria inside the fibers, which is one of the most common hidden causes of lingering odor. Leave it out of every wash.
How often to wash reusable pads
Wash your pads every two to four days. That keeps them sanitary and stops stains from setting.
If a pad is heavily soiled, do not wait for laundry day. Rinse and wash it right away. You do not want bacteria sitting on the fabric, and you do not want blood or urine transferring onto the rest of your wash.
The cloth pad washing routine, step by step
- Rinse the pad in cold water as soon as you can after use.
- Pre-rinse with a little mild soap to loosen anything left behind.
- Wash in cool or warm water with a small amount of detergent, on its own or with a like-colored load.
- Hang to dry, or tumble on low to no heat for up to two hours.
When the pads are dry, store them flat and avoid folding so the absorbent core and snaps stay in good shape.
Can you hand wash cloth pads?
Yes, and it is easy. Soak the pad in a sink or bucket of cold water with a mild soap, then rinse with cool to warm water. Keep the water off hot, since hot water sets blood stains into the fabric. Hang the pad to dry, or tumble on low heat.
Soaking: when it helps and what to use
Soaking is optional. You do not have to do it, but it is a good idea when a pad is lightly used, because it lifts leftover blood before it has a chance to set in the next wash.
| Soak agent | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Water and mild soap | Everyday rinsing | Cold water, a small squeeze of soap, 20 to 30 minutes |
| White vinegar | Freshening and residue | A splash added to the wash, not a long pre-soak |
| Baking soda | Odor, especially ammonia | One to two tablespoons in cold water before washing |
If you use cloth pads for incontinence, follow your doctor or nurse's guidance on how often to change and soak them. A baking soda soak before washing is often recommended for ammonia odor.
One caution on overnight soaking: it can cause slight shrinking, and standing water left too long starts to smell musty. Keep general soaks short and save the longer baking soda soak for stubborn ammonia odor.
Getting odor out
If a pad starts to smell, a pre-soak with baking soda or a splash of white vinegar usually sorts it out. Soak the pad in cold water with a teaspoon or so of either, then wash as usual. Do not combine vinegar and baking soda in the same soak, since they cancel each other out.
For a deeper walkthrough, including how to strip stubborn smells, see our full guide on how to get smell out of reusable pads.
Drying your pads
You have a few options:
- Air dry indoors or in shade. The gentlest choice, and it keeps colors bright.
- Tumble on low or no heat. Possible for up to two hours, but not the kindest to the fabric. Heat shrinks fibers and shortens a pad's life, so use it sparingly.
- Hang outdoors. Lovely on a calm day. Skip it when it is windy.
Cloth pads dry faster than you might expect, often within a couple of hours on the line.
Lifting stains and keeping pads bright
The best stain fighter is the simplest one. Rinse in cold water first, every time, before stains have a chance to set.
For natural brightening, lay clean pads flat in direct sunlight for a couple of hours. UV light lifts stains and freshens the fabric without any harsh chemicals. Save this for stained pads rather than every wash, since regular sun exposure can fade colors over time.
Avoid chlorine bleach and frequent hydrogen peroxide. They can break down the waterproof backing and weaken fibers over time, which shortens the life of a pad that would otherwise serve you for years.
Storing pads between washes
Lay dry pads flat and unfolded. If you cannot wash a used pad straight away, keep it in a breathable wet bag rather than a sealed pocket, so air can move and mildew cannot take hold.
That is the whole routine
Rinse cold, wash gentle, dry low, store flat. Treated this way, quality pads stay soft, absorbent, and stain free for 5+ years of use.
New to cloth? Start with how to use reusable cloth pads, keep the routine handy in our wash and care guide, or browse the full range of pads, liners, and sets. Managing leaks or heavier days is easier with the right incontinence pads and reusable panty liners.