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If you’re here, chances are you’re considering ditching traditional period products like disposable pads and tampons. Maybe you’ve heard about the massive amounts of waste they create or have some concerns about how they might affect your body. Whatever the case may be, good on you for making the switch to more sustainable menstrual products.
While menstrual cups are all the rage and a fantastic option for many people, some of us may prefer the more familiar look and feel of period underwear. If you haven’t heard of period underwear before, think of it as a classic pair of undies with a sort of built-in reusable pad in the form of thicker, absorbent fabric in the crotch. It might sound weird at first, but trust us—it’s a game-changer for you and the planet.
You might be thinking, hang on, wouldn’t all period underwear be more sustainable since it removes the single-use element altogether? You make a good point—but there will always be brands doing better or worse for people, planet, and animals in their production. Don’t fret—we’ve done the research and come up with 13 brands for you: 7 to look into and 7 that still have work to do.
How to clean your period pants
Okay, before we dive into the brands, how the hell do you clean period pants?! It’s actually much simpler than you might expect. All you need to do is rinse them under cold water until it flows clear, then chuck them in a regular load of washing with like-colours in the delicates bag and hang to dry. Wild.
Sustainable period underwear
While most of these brands are rated “Great” or “Good”, we have included a couple of “It’s A Start” options, too. Everyone deserves a healthy and comfortable period, so if lower-rated brands better suit your size, budget, or location, then you shouldn’t feel guilty about buying them.