We get it. Period pants are a pretty new thing so you’ve got a few questions about how to look after them. Here's our step-by-step guide to washing and drying absorbent underwear.

Yup. It’s important that you wash your Just’nCase underwear to activate our multi-layered absorbent textile ready for use. Please remove the hygiene sticker and wash your new undies according to the care instructions.

Our leakproof absorbent products can be hand or machine washed just like your ordinary laundry, offering a discreet, convenient and eco-friendly alternative to single-use pads and tampons. Just turn them inside out and pop them in the washing machine on delicate cycle below 40°C/105°F, or you can hand wash them if you prefer. Use your ordinary washing powder or liquid. Do not bleach them, use fabric conditioner or antibacterial sprays or dry clean them.

Here are the little symbols that tell you what to do (and what not to do):

Good question. There are slightly different versions for different countries (which is why we have two rows of slightly different symbols), but here's a translation:

It interferes with the absorbency of the textile and means they won’t be so absorbent next time you wear them.

Yes! Just turn them inside out, give them a quick rinse then toss them in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. Don’t worry – they won’t stain your other clothes!

Yes, you can hand wash them in a bucket of water that’s no warmer than 40°C/105°F.

If your underwear go through the wash bundled up in a little ball with the waterproof, leakproof layer on the outside, the water won’t get a chance to rinse through them thoroughly. That’s why we don’t recommend putting them in a delicates bag either.

If you don’t have time to wash your Just’nCase underwear straight away you can just rinse them in cool water until the water runs clear, then squeeze or wring out most of the water and set them aside until washing day. Some women tell us they just rinse them while they’re in the shower.

Here’s the bit that will make you super happy that you chose Just’nCase. If you don't have the time or inclination to hang our undies on the washing line you can safely pop them in the tumble dryer instead – without affecting their leakproof performance.

Not a lot of people know this, but most reusable period underwear contains a layer of polyurethane plastic as waterproofing to stop your period leaking right through. But the plastic tends to warp and shrink when it’s subjected to heat, so if you accidentally put them through the dryer the chances are the plastic will distort, leading to leaks. And even if you manage to rescue them from the washing pile before it goes in the dryer, repeated washing will eventually break down the plastic, also reducing its ability to prevent leaks.

Because they’re designed specifically to absorb and hold liquid, period pants will take longer than ordinary underwear to dry – about the same amount of time as a pair of thick sports socks. That’s why it’s so handy that ours can be thrown in the dryer on low heat so you can wear them again sooner – meaning you need fewer pairs to get through a cycle. Of course, you can also hang them on the washing line outside – just keep them away from direct sunlight. They can also be dried in an airing closet or on an indoor drying rack or heated towel rail. Because the outer layer is designed to retain liquid, they’ll dry faster if you turn them inside out.

Our period underwear has been lab tested and verified odour-resistant by independent standards laboratory UL. Others will not be able to smell your menstrual blood or urine while you are wearing them, but some customers do report a slightly stale smell developing after they have been washed a few times, especially if they are left in the washing machine too long after washing, or not completely dried through each time. This is common to many high-performance sportswear textiles. To refresh them, we recommend submerging them in a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar, then allowing them to soak for about 30 minutes before transferring them to the washing machine and washing as normal. Ensure they are completely dried before reuse – you can safely pop them in the tumble dryer on low heat to make sure.

Because our underwear is so high performing with superior absorbency, you may not need to change as often as other brands, which may mean you need to buy fewer pairs. Many customers tell us they can comfortably wear the same pair for 24 hours, particularly when they’re worn on lighter days, as backup to a moon-cup or tampon, or for reassurance between periods. On your heavier days you may wish to change them twice a day – maybe after the gym or before going out. Unlike most brands of period underwear, our products can safely be tumble dried, which allows for quick turnaround between wear – another reason you may need fewer pairs than other brands recommend.

We suggest buying one pair (or one pair of each absorbency) first to check how they work for you, then building up to about five pairs, which should see you through a menstrual cycle with one load of washing in the middle. Depending on your flow, you might prefer to have some pairs of our Everyday Absorbency briefs (equivalent to more than five tampons) for the light days at the beginning and end of your period, and some of our Extra Absorbency briefs (which absorb more than 10 tampons worth of flow) for your heavier days and nights.

Luckily Just’nCase leakproof briefs are built to last, so you’ll get years of loyal service from them. We know this because independent standards laboratory UL washed and dried them over and over again, then tested them to see if they were still doing the job they were designed to do. After more than 52 wash and dry cycles, they couldn’t find any deterioration in their absorbency or leakproof performance. That means every pair you buy will prevent at least 52 single-use products from reaching landfill – or many more if you usually use more than one pad, liner or tampon in a day.

Shop Just’nCase period underwear now