Is Period Underwear Hygienic? Everything You Need to Know

Is period underwear hygienic? Yes, when it is used and cared for properly. Period underwear has built-in layers that move moisture away from your skin and absorb menstrual flow inside the fabric. Washing each pair after every wear and allowing it to dry fully keeps it clean and ready to use again.

Reusing something on your period can sound a bit odd at first, and that is completely normal. So let us walk through it simply. We will look at how period underwear manages moisture, what OEKO-TEX certification means, whether it can smell and how to keep every pair clean and fresh.

Why is period underwear hygienic?

Period underwear is hygienic because of how it is made and how you care for it. Each THATDAY pair has three layers, and each one has a job. The top layer sits against your skin and pulls moisture away fast, so you are not left sitting in dampness. The middle layer soaks up your flow and holds it inside. The outer layer is waterproof yet breathable, helping to protect your clothes from leaks.

You wash each pair after every wear, so you begin again with a clean, fully dried pair. Moisture management during wear together with correct washing afterwards is what makes period underwear a hygienic reusable option.

Is period underwear safe against your skin?

THATDAY period underwear is made using OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified fabrics. This means the certified textiles have been tested for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX requirements. The standard considers how a textile is used, and the requirements become stricter when the material has more intensive contact with the skin.

Every THATDAY pair is made in Latvia using carefully selected fabrics designed for underwear worn close to the body. The materials are chosen to feel soft, breathable and comfortable during your period.

This matters because intimate skin can be sensitive. Many people choose period underwear because they want a softer-feeling alternative to disposable pads.

THATDAY’s founder, Kintija, explains the fabrics and why they are safe for your intimate area in this short Instagram video.

Does period underwear smell?

Looked after properly, period underwear should not hold on to smells. The core locks your flow inside the fabric, and the breathable outer layer helps keep odours in while you wear it, so a fresh pair stays fresh all day.

The trick is simple. Wash each pair after you wear it. If a pair ever needs a little freshening, soak it in one part white vinegar to three parts water for no more than 20 minutes, then wash as normal. Regular, correct washing is what stops smells before they start, and you can follow our full routine in how to wash period underwear.

Can you wear it all day?

It is, as long as you change a pair when it starts to feel full, just like you would swap a pad or tampon. Depending on the style and your flow, a THATDAY pair can be worn for up to 8 to 10 hours, and it can hold up to the same as 6 regular tampons.

On a light day, one pair can last you most of the day. On a heavier day, you will want to change sooner, and a fresh pair keeps that dry, clean feeling going. Out of the house? Fold the used pair with the absorbent side in, pop it into a small waterproof pouch, and rinse it when you get home.

Is period underwear more hygienic than pads and tampons?

Period underwear is not automatically more or less hygienic than pads or tampons. Each option can be used hygienically when it is changed, cleaned or disposed of correctly. Pads and tampons are used once and thrown away, while period underwear is washed after every wear and reused.

Some people prefer period underwear because it feels like regular underwear and there is nothing to insert or attach. Others combine it with a tampon or menstrual cup for additional protection. There is no single right choice, and you can use different products on different days of your cycle.

How to keep your period underwear hygienic

Keeping a pair hygienic really is simple. It comes down to one easy routine.

• Rinse the pair in cold water first, right after you wear it, with no soap.
• Machine wash at 40 degrees with the rest of your clothes.
• Skip fabric softener, since it coats the fibres and makes them absorb less.
• Air dry the pair instead of using the tumble dryer.

Keeping two or three pairs in rotation makes this even easier, so there is always a clean, dry pair ready while the others dry. And since one pair is made to last up to five years, this little routine keeps your underwear fresh for a long time. The full step by step is in how to wash period underwear.

The takeaway

So, is period underwear hygienic? Yes, and once you have worn a pair or two it stops being a worry at all. Keep a couple of pairs in rotation, give each one a quick cold rinse after wearing, and you get that fresh, dry, clean feeling every day.

Want the full picture of how it all works first? Read what period underwear is and how it works. And when you are ready to try it, browse the full THATDAY collection and pick the absorbency that fits your cycle.

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