FAQ
Purchasing Your First Pair of Period Underwear? Here’s What You Need to Know!
Period underwear are starting to become a common product in the wardrobes of many women, but if you are thinking about purchasing your first pair, what do you need to know?
Check out our frequently asked questions about Emflower period underwear.
What Are Period Underwear?
Period underwear are starting to become a common product in the wardrobes of many women, but if you are thinking about purchasing your first pair, what do you need to know?
Period underwear look just like regular underwear, however they have a few extra layers in their crotch padding so they can catch and hold your period without it leaking through to your clothes.
They can be worn with or without other menstrual products too.
How Often Do You Change Period Underwear?
We recommend changing your period underwear at least every 12 hours. If you have a heavier period, you will want to change your period underwear sooner.
Emflower period underwear hold up to 4 tampons worth, which is equivalent to 1 day with a medium to heavy period.
If you generally use more than 4 tampons during the day, make sure you keep a spare pair of period underwear in your bag just in case.
How To Wash Period Underwear?
Period underwear tends to have a relatively long lifespan for the work they do, and ensuring you care for them properly means you’ll get the best wear from them.
1. Rinse in cold water under the water starts to run clear
2. Put them in a cold machine wash in a laundry bag and avoid using fabric softener
3. Hang them out to dry, and do not put them in a tumble dryer
Because of the layers, they can take some time to dry, so having enough pairs of period underwear to get you through a few days of your cycle is a good idea.
Emflower’s organic period underwear will stay in great shape for up to 90 washes with proper care – this means you’ll
get around 3 years out of a single pair based on wearing them two to three times per cycle and cared for correctly.
Do not use bleach on your period underwear, as we use a plant-based dye to colour our underwear material and bleach will strip this colour.
Does Period Underwear Stain?
If you rinse or soak your period underwear within 24 hours after wearing them, they most likely won't stain at all!
If you are not doing washing for a couple of days, leave your period underwear soaking in a bucket of water with a little bit of laundry detergent.
How Many Pairs Of Period Underwear Do I Need?
That depends on how long your period lasts, and how heavy it is. We recommend changing your Period Underwear each day and night for heavier periods. So if your period usually lasts 4 days, we would recommend 8 pairs of Period Underwear. When your period is medium to light you could easily get away with wearing 1 pair for up to 24 hours.
Can I Wear Period Underwear With Other Menstrual Products?
Yes you certainly can wear period underwear with other menstrual products.
For those with heavier periods, we recommend pairing your period undies with a menstrual cup for that extra protection. They can also be worn with tampons and pads, but in all honestly they don’t need to be.
Emflower period underwear have 4 layers of protection so you should be more than fine to just wear your period underwear by themselves, unless you have a really heavy flow or a medical condition such as PCOS.
Can I wear Period Underwear Swimming?
Unfortunately you cannot wear your Period Underwear swimming. Those 4 layers holding it all in will definitely leak out into the pool or ocean. We recommend using a menstrual cup when you go swimming, as you will be fully protected from leaks.
Best Period Underwear Fit?
When you buy traditional menstrual products, you tend to buy the product that suits you best whether that be in size, flow or with/without wings. Period underwear isn’t all that much different. These pants are doing a lot of work, so it’s important that you get the right fit.
When choosing period pants, make sure that they have a snug fit to prevent any leakage – too snug though and they may become very uncomfortable as the day goes on.
At Emflower, our organic period underwear comes in a kids fit, a bikini fit that has a tighter waistband but still holds the equivalent of tampons, and a hip hugger fit that is tighter around the legs for extra protection. This style holds 4-5 tampons equivalent.
Does Period Underwear Smell?
Apart from leakage, the odour is probably the one thing most of us are concerned about. The great thing about Emflower period underwear is that no smell should come through. Good quality period underwear has an antimicrobial agent added to the layers which will kill any bacteria, stopping any smells.
Of course, the washing process also ensures that your underwear doesn’t smell.
How Reliable Are Period Underwear?
The first period underwear were made in the mid-1990’s, however the technology has come a long way and these products are much more reliable than they were in the past.
Today, you can buy period underwear in a range of styles and sizes, with the level of absorbency varying between them.
Generally, you can expect that the more fabric, the more protection you’ll have. But it is important to buy the right pair for your flow.
Unlike more traditional products, you can’t just throw your underwear away halfway through the day, so you either need to be able to transport them home to wash if you do change, or you need to purchase a pair with a high enough absorbency to get you through the day.
It is also important to consider whether you need the period proof padding to go all the way up the backside of the underwear. Emflower period underwear has period proof lining all the way to the back to ensure there are no unwanted leaks while you sleep.
How Does Period Underwear Work?
Period underwear (which are quite indistinguishable from your normal underwear) have, typically, three-four layers. The layer closest to your skin wicks away the moisture from your body.
While the finish is water repellent, the channels in the material move the fluid through it. The second layer is extremely absorbent and holds onto the fluid. The outer later is waterproof and stops the fluid leaking through to your clothing.
More importantly, unlike traditional period products, each layer in Emflower period underwear are breathable, making them comfortable to wear, even on your heaviest days.