Student's Guide to Washing Period Pants
Learning how to do laundry is just one of the challenges facing students as they prepare to leave home for university. And we know that washing period pants can be a concern when it comes to making the switch too. Don’t worry- there are loads of you always ready to share tips and tricks with anyone unsure, so thank you!But how do we convince students that period pants will still work for them when they leave home and are faced the prospect of handling their own wash days? Read our guide to washing period pants, with tips from students to help make the transition smooth.
How do period pants work?
WUKA period pants look like normal underwear, only they have a super absorbent gusset made up of many layers.
🩸The layer that sits next to your skin is soft, breathable and moisture-wicking so you feel dry even if your period is heavy.
🩸The middle layers absorb the blood and lock it away from your skin.
🩸 The leak-proof layers are designed to keep you free from odours and to reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
🩸 The layers are fast-absorbing so you stay feeling dry for longer.
🩸 CoolMax™ technology not only helps your pants stay dry while you’re wearing them, but also helps them to dry faster after washing too.
How to wash period pants
If cared for properly, period pants can last for up to two years, meaning you spend less on your period overall. So how do you care for them? Here’s what you need to know:
🩸 No fabric conditioner or tumble drying- this can affect the absorbent gusset and reduce the effectiveness.
🩸 Rinse in cold water after use, as soon as possible. Squeeze as much blood from the pants as you can at this stage- but remember the water has to be COLD. This is because there are proteins in blood, which can be broken down in cold water, but which also ‘set’ in hot water. Rinsing in hot water will make it much more difficult to clean your pants.
🩸 Period pants love to be washed by hand, but you can also pop them into your normal load of washing. Keep the heat low (no hotter than 40°). Use a laundry bag to protect your pants in the machine.
Laundry tip from Chloe, student in Leeds:
“It took a while to get into a good routine with laundry- sometimes I hand wash them if I don’t need to do a whole load.”
🩸 Turn your pants inside out to dry them, preferably on a line or an airer. If you can’t hang them outside, don’t worry- but allow extra time for drying.
Laundry tip from Anna, student in Birmingham:
“In the winter you can place a towel on the radiator and pop your pants on top to help them dry more quickly.”
How many pairs of period pants do I need?
You know your flow best, but sometimes it also comes down to how often you’ll be doing laundry. If you know you can do it regularly, five pairs might be enough to see you through. That would mean a pair to wear and a pare for spare, while three are in the wash- so you’d need to do laundry at least every other day during your period.
If you know you can’t do a wash as often, more pairs are a good idea to see you through. Seven to ten pairs is an ideal number, so you can have a couple for spare while the others are in the wash.
Remember, you can wash them by hand too, so if you have access to a sink and you don’t have a full load for the machine, you can quickly clean them that way too. We even have some customers who clean their pants in the shower, so if that’s an option for you between laundry days then go for it!
Can I wear period pants at university?
And so the answer to the burning question. Can you wear period pants at university, or is it just too much hassle?
Well you know us, we believe that having a sustainable period should be a viable option for all, so we’re always going to advise that period pants are perfect for students at university. Here’s why:
🩸 Cost. Once you’ve made your initial investment, period pants will last up to two years, meaning you never need to run out of money for disposables again.
“Period pants are so much more comfy than pads and I’m saving money every month now too.” Eva, Birmingham.
🩸 Convenience. Just wear them like normal pants, and bleed into them. No need to struggle with crinkly wrappers or pads that won’t stay still.
🩸They’re eco-friendly. One pair of WUKAs prevents 200 disposables from entering landfill or polluting the ocean. It’s a no-brainer really!
🩸 They’re safe to use. We never use chemicals or PFAs in our pants. We don't use silver either.
🩸 They’re accessible to all. Our multi-size Stretch™ period pants come in just three sizes, but stretch all the way from XS to 6XL! One pair fits up for four sizes so you’re guaranteed to find your perfect fit. Plus, our Flex Detachable have detachable straps which mean you can change on the go or in small spaces, and they’re perfect for anyone with mobility issues too.
🩸 They’re leak-proof. No more leaks- we cover flows from light to super heavy, and in a range of styles too.
How to choose the right period pants
Your menstrual cycle is unique to you, and your style preferences are all you too. So when it comes to choosing the right period pants, its a good idea to start with absorbency.
🩸Light Flow period pants are great for light leaks, spotting and discharge. They hold up to two tampons or one pad’s worth of period blood. Go for light flow for the days where your period is ending (but not quite ending, if you know what we mean!) or during ovulation if you have a heavy discharge at that time.
🩸Medium Flow period pants are for the in-between days of your cycle, or if you know your flow is never really heavy. They’ll hold up to three tampons or two pads worth of blood.
🩸Heavy Flow period pants are for the heaviest days of your cycle- usually the first 2-3 days. They’ll hold up to four tampons or three pads worth of blood and are great for overnight too.
🩸Super Heavy Flow period pants are our most absorbent and all hold up to 12 tampons or 8 pads worth of blood. They can can be worn for up to 24 hours so are great for night shifts, long journeys or extremely heavy periods.
With the absorbency sorted, next is style- choose from Midi Brief, Hipster, Bikini Brief, High Waist, Thong or Boxer Short.
You can also shop by collection:
🩸Stretch™- our most popular collection, using Stretch™ technology to enable one pair to gently stretch up to four sizes for a perfect fit every time. Best sellers include our hyper-allergenic Stretch™ Cotton, new Stretch™ Thong and Stretch™ Midi Brief for Super Heavy Flow.
🩸 Ultimate™- featuring our best selling Super Heavy Midi Brief and High Waist period pants, and our super comfy Ultimate™ Boxer Shorts.
🩸Flex- featuring the Flex Bikini Detachable with detachable straps, and Flex Logo Bikini with adjustable straps for a multi-size fit.
