We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about how to wash and care for your period underwear so that they last as long as possible. 

Once you’ve made the choice to use conscious period products that are good for both your health and the planet, be sure to get the most out of them by following the correct care instructions.

Our reusable period underwear is made with soft and breathable organic cotton, absorbing up to two to three regular tampons of fluid, and should last 40 washes if looked after properly. Have questions or need a hand about the fit, function or looking after your Period Briefs? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

HOW DO YOU WASH PERIOD UNDERWEAR?

Rinse your organic cotton period underwear in cold water as soon as you can until the water starts to run clear. You can also take them in the shower with you and give them a rinse, popping them straight in the wash along with your other clothes or leaving them to dry until your next washing load.

You can wash your period briefs by hand washing or on a cold delicate cycle (or a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius). As with all new garments, we recommend washing your briefs prior to wear.

TOM Tip: We recommend placing your period briefs into a laundry bag before washing as this will help to protect your delicates as well as making them easy to find.
 

HOW LONG DOES PERIOD UNDERWEAR TAKE TO DRY?

Period underwear should be line dried only – we recommend drying in the sun if you can, as sunlight has natural anti-microbial properties that are good for your undies. On average, it takes 10-12 hours for a pair of briefs to dry. 

Period underwear should not be put in the dryer as the heat will deteriorate the materials in the unique four-layer system, and may impact the performance or shape of the brief. If you do accidentally put them in the dryer once or twice, don’t worry – you’ll be fine to keep using them. 

CAN YOU WEAR PERIOD UNDERWEAR ALL DAY?

Our organic cotton period underwear looks and feels like regular underwear, so it’s perfect for day or night. How often you have to change them is dependent on your flow – as a guide, our Bikini period briefs absorbs up to two regular tampons worth of fluid and our Mid-Rise Full Brief absorbs three regular tampons worth of fluid. Keep in mind that if you’d like to wear them overnight, you’ll need a fresh pair.

HOW MANY PAIRS WILL I NEED FOR A FULL CYCLE?

If you use them exclusively throughout your cycle, we would suggest 5-7 pairs of period underwear in a cycle. You can shop our Period Brief multi-pack and save 10%. If you use them with other TOM products as backup, then around 2-3 pairs should be sufficient. You can find sizing information on our Find your Fit page. 

It’s also important to consider how often you’ll do laundry, as you need to allow them to dry between wears. For example, if you do laundry once every three days and you only need them for day wear, four pairs should be enough – one for each day of your cycle, with a pair to cover you on the day your laundry is drying. 

ADDITIONAL WASH AND CARE TIPS

• Hand washing in the sink is a good option as it saves electricity and helps preserve the elasticity of your period underwear.
• Stick to laundry detergent or soap, and hold the fabric softener – this is your period undies’ worst enemy as it breaks down the special technology and natural fibres, leaving a ‘waterproof’ film that can counteract the naturally absorbing properties.
• Need your period underwear to dry faster? Once you take them out of the wash, speed up the drying process by pressing your briefs into a towel to absorb excess water before hanging them out.
• When using your organic cotton period underwear for the first time, we recommend starting on a lighter day of your period to see how they will work best for you and your flow. If you’re not at home, keep a tampon, pad or a spare pair of underwear handy the first time you try them for backup

For more information on our organic cotton period underwear, please visit our FAQs page.