Tips & tricks · 6 min read
What to look for in period underwear? The dos & don'ts
Period pants are a wonderfully uncomplicated and sustainable alternative to conventional disposable products such as pads, panty liners or tampons. That means no fiddly insertion, no slipping out of place and, above all, they're reusable. On top of that, the antibacterial layer ensures that no unpleasant odours develop. So that you can enjoy your pants for as long as possible, we've put together what you should look out for with period underwear.
The dos of period underwear: 4 things you should pay attention to
Good quality
Quality matters in both the material and the technology. The material of our period pants is certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. This guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the article is completely safe for your health. Our menstrual underwear owes its function to our self-developed and patented SELENAtec® multi-layer technology. This is not only very thin at less than 4 mm, but also super absorbent and keeps you dry during your period.
The functional layer (SELENAtec®) consists of several layers:
- Dry-Layer wicks moisture away faster
- Lockup-Layer safely captures blood
- protect-Layer for maximum leak protection
- Sensitive-Layer for a comfortable feel on the skin
If you'd like to learn more about what each layer does, we recommend our guide article "How does period underwear work?".
Rinse your pants in cold water after use
Blood washes out best with cold water. Under hot water, the protein in the blood starts to coagulate. The stains then set into the fabric and are difficult to get out. If you've bled heavily into your period pants, we recommend rinsing them in cold water after use until the water runs clear. That way, nothing can stain the rest of your clothes in the laundry basket.
Wash period underwear together with other dark laundry
By using period underwear instead of tampons or pads, you're already avoiding a lot of waste. But you can also go easy on the environment when washing – for instance with cooler washing temperatures; 30 degrees is perfectly sufficient. You should also avoid running the machine half empty. You can safely wash your used period pants together with the rest of your dark laundry.
Let your period pants air dry
The intelligent SELENAtec® multi-layer technology includes antibacterial protection, which is damaged by excessive heat, for example from hot washing or the tumble dryer. To make this antibacterial protection last as long as possible (up to 100 washes in our tests), always let your pants air dry after washing – never in the tumble dryer or on the radiator.
The don'ts of period underwear: 4 mistakes you'd better avoid
Don't wash period pants too hot
Unlike in the past, today's detergents wash perfectly well even at low temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees. What's more, the antibacterial protective layer in our pants allows washing at low temperatures – 30 degrees is ideal. Excessively hot temperatures also impair the absorbency of the period panties.
High washing temperatures burden the environment & your wallet Higher washing temperatures also put more strain on the environment, as more energy is needed. Low temperatures are therefore good in three ways: they are gentler on the antibacterial layer, they use less energy and CO2, and ultimately they're kinder to your wallet too (you need to buy new pants less often and your energy bill is lower).
By the way, the potential electricity savings from lower washing temperatures are not to be sniffed at. Studies suggest almost 40 percent (30 degrees compared with 40 degrees) or almost 50 percent (40 degrees compared with 60 degrees) can be saved by consistently washing at lower temperatures.
Don't use bleach or fabric softener when washing
Bleach, such as that found in detergents for white laundry, attacks the antibacterial protection in period pants. So it's best to use a universal or colour detergent for washing. The same goes for fabric softener, which impairs the absorbency and breathability. You probably know this from your functional or sports clothing – no fabric softener allowed there either, as the softening additive has a water-repellent effect. The result is that the fabric can no longer absorb liquid.
Don't skimp on spare pants
We recommend keeping at least 3 period pants in stock. If you have a very heavy period, better add another two. Just as with normal underwear, you should change your period pants at least once or twice a day. On average, you lose a total of around 60 millilitres of blood during a period. Most of it in the first two days. With a light period, blood loss is under 25 millilitres, while a heavy period means losing more than 80 ml of blood.
The more pants you have, the less often you need to do laundry Our period pants can absorb 25 millilitres of fluid. You'll notice your period pants are full when they no longer feel dry. That's the time to change them, at the latest. So ask yourself how often you do your laundry and how many pants you need per day. Since period pants shouldn't be dried in the tumble dryer, it can take a little while after washing until they're dry again.
Don't throw your period underwear away straight away
After around 100 washes, the antibacterial protection of your period pants does wear off, but that's still no reason to bin them. You can simply keep wearing your former period panty as normal underwear.
Empfohlene Produkte
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
Period underwear by SELENACARE
The absorbent area in our period pants is much larger than that of a pad. We've paid particular attention to a larger absorbent area at the back, so you can sleep soundly through the night. From the outside, the technology is also completely invisible. In other words, nobody can tell you're wearing period pants. We've put together more about the benefits of period underwear in our guide "8 benefits of period underwear".
Where to buy period underwear
You can find our pants in many drugstores and grocery stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including: dm, BIPA, Müller, Budni, denn's Biomarkt, Globus, Kaufland, COOP, Migros. And of course, you can also conveniently order from our online shop.
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