The thought of washing bloody underwear can put some people off trying period underwear altogether. If you’re wondering whether it’s going to be a daunting job, don’t worry—it’s usually much simpler than you might imagine.

I’ve been using period underwear for years, and washing it has become just another part of my routine. Let me walk you through it, so you know what to expect.

Start with a good rinse—that’s the key

The bit I’d really encourage you to try is rinsing under running water. I used to soak mine, but I found a running rinse worked better: the water carries the blood away as it comes out of the gusset.

Hold the gusset under cold running water for a good minute or two, gently pressing the panel to help the water pass through. Keep going until the water runs clear and no more blood comes out. Don’t worry too much about the clock. If you can still see blood coming out, give it a little longer.

Then wash and dry

Here’s how to wash your B.Peachy pairs. If you have another brand in your drawer too, give its care label a quick check.

1. Rinse in cold water after use. Keep rinsing the absorbent panel until the water runs clear and you no longer see blood coming out. Gently press the panel to help water pass through; don’t twist or wring it hard.
2. Hand wash or machine wash cold with laundry detergent. Use the amount recommended on the detergent packaging, and rinse out the detergent thoroughly if washing by hand. Even when the rinse water looks clear, the pair still needs a wash with detergent.
3. Avoid hot water, bleach and fabric softener. Keep the routine consistent with your pair’s care label.
4. Line dry, or tumble dry on low heat. Avoid high heat.
5. Let your pair dry completely before wearing it again. Have a clean, dry pair ready while the washed one dries.

Do I need to soak period underwear?

I used to soak mine, but I preferred rinsing under cold running water. It felt more straightforward, and it became a routine I could stick with.

You don’t need to add a soak to the B.Peachy routine. I’d start with a good cold rinse, then move on to washing.

After rinsing, I still wash them. The rinse gets the visible blood out; detergent takes care of the next part.

Can I put them in the washing machine?

Yes! You can put B.Peachy pairs in a cold wash, or wash them by hand if that’s easier for you.

There’s no prize for doing it the hard way. If you’re already putting a suitable load on, pop them in after rinsing. If you’d rather wash one pair in the sink and be done with it, that works too.

How do I know I’ve washed all the blood out?

When you rinse, keep going until the water runs clear and no more blood comes out as you gently press the gusset. That’s a useful sign that you’ve rinsed out the visible blood—but it doesn’t mean the pair is fully washed yet. Follow with a detergent wash.

We designed Classic Briefs 2.0 with a pink gusset to make this easier to check. You can see what’s washing out as you rinse, instead of trying to judge it against a dark lining.

After washing, check for any remaining visible residue and rinse away any detergent suds. If there’s still residue, wash again before wearing. A faint mark can remain even after washing. Focus on a thorough detergent wash and letting the gusset dry all the way through.

You don’t need to run a laundry cycle every day

You really don’t need to run the machine for one pair. You can wash it by hand after rinsing, or rinse it now and add it to your next suitable cold load.

If you’re waiting for a load, hang the rinsed pair somewhere airy so it can dry. Avoid leaving it damp in a heap, soaking for days, or sealed in a waterproof bag. Once dry, keep it with the laundry waiting to be washed, separate from your clean pairs. It still needs a detergent wash before you wear it again.

You can wash rinsed pairs with compatible clothes on the same care settings—think similar colours and a cold wash without fabric softener. Don’t overload the machine: the clothes need room to move and rinse. If that load needs hot water or bleach, keep your period underwear out of it.

Don’t I need hot water to get them clean?

I know the temptation: surely hotter water will do a better job? For B.Peachy, stick with cold water and laundry detergent. Skip boiling water and the hot wash setting.

For your usual wash, keep it simple: rinse cold, wash with detergent, then dry. If you need a separate disinfecting step, clean the fabric first and use a method suitable for that garment. A quick dip in hot water isn’t a reliable disinfecting method. For B.Peachy pairs, don’t add a hot-water treatment—our care instructions specify cold washing. Ask us if you need help with a particular situation.

If your doctor has asked you to disinfect clothing, check that the recommended method works with the care label before using it.

What shouldn’t go in the wash?

Keep hot water, bleach and fabric softener out of the wash, and skip high heat when drying. You don’t need to throw extra products at it just because it’s period underwear.

Not sure about the detergent you already have? Send us a message and we can help you check.

Give them time to dry

Once washed, turn your pair inside out so the gusset faces out, and hang it somewhere airy. On a sunny day, hanging it outside lets the gusset catch the sun and breeze. Bring it in once it’s dry rather than leaving it baking outside. You can also tumble dry B.Peachy pairs on low heat, following your style’s label. Let the gusset dry completely before the pair goes back into your drawer or onto your body.

I wouldn’t plan my whole day around one pair drying in time. Having another clean pair available makes the routine feel less rushed.

The gusset can take longer to dry than the rest of the pair, especially on a humid day. Feel the thicker panel before putting it away—if it’s still damp, give it more time.

What if I change while I’m away from home?

You don’t need to arrange your day around finding somewhere to do laundry. Pack a clean pair and a waterproof bag for the worn one. Change when you need to, then rinse and wash the used pair when you get home.

That’s the version of “wash promptly” that works for me when I’m out: I take care of it once I’m home. The bag helps me get through the day; it doesn’t replace washing.

A few things you might be wondering

Is rinsing enough?

No. For B.Peachy, rinse first, then hand wash or machine wash cold, and dry completely before wearing again.

Can I use the tumble dryer?

B.Peachy’s care instructions allow low-heat tumble drying. Avoid high heat, and check your specific pair’s label. Other brands may have different instructions.

What if I forgot to wash them straight away?

Start with the normal care routine when you can. Don’t try to make up for the delay with hot water or bleach. If you’re concerned about the condition of your pair, get in touch and tell us what happened.

How many pairs do I need so I’m not always doing laundry?

Think about what you’d like to have ready while one pair is in the wash and another is drying. You don’t have to buy your whole collection at once. Start with a few changes, see how often you reach for them, and build from there.

Follow the care label on your specific pair.