Everything you need to know to wash, dry, store and care for your Crimson Bat cloth pads.
Reusable cloth pads are designed to be washed, reused and loved for years. With the right care, looking after your Crimson Bat pads can easily become part of your normal washing routine.
At a Glance
| Care | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
| After use, before washing | Dry store |
| Initial rinse | Cold water, no detergent |
| Normal wash | Your usual wash, up to 40°C |
| Detergent | Your usual detergent |
| Fabric softener | ❌ Avoid |
| Bleach | ❌ Avoid |
| Tumble drying | Low heat only |
| Preferred drying method | Air dry |
| Soaking | Not required |
After Use — Before Washing
Once you have finished wearing a cloth pad, it should be dry stored until you're ready to wash it.
There is no need to rinse or soak your used pad before storing it. Keeping a used pad dry between use and wash day helps prevent moisture from being trapped in the fabric, which can encourage the growth of bacteria and mildew.
You can store your used pads in a wetbag or a bucket until wash day. If using a bucket, do not seal it completely — your used pads need some airflow.
If using a wetbag, make sure the pad is dry rather than wet or soaked before placing it inside.
The simple routine: wear → dry store → wash.
Washing Your Cloth Pads
Step 1 — Cold Initial Rinse
Start with a cold rinse cycle with no detergent.
Menstrual blood contains proteins that can bind to fabric when exposed to higher temperatures, causing stains to set. Starting with cold water helps remove the blood before it has a chance to set into the fabric.
Step 2 — Your Normal Wash
After the cold rinse, wash your pads as part of your normal washing routine, at your usual temperature up to a maximum of 40°C.
There's no need to run a separate wash just for your pads. They can be washed with other suitable items.
Choosing Your Detergent
Use your usual detergent, but avoid fabric softener and bleach.
These can negatively affect the fabrics and absorbent layers of your pads, potentially reducing their performance and shortening their lifespan.
When choosing your detergent, check the product information to make sure it doesn't contain fabric softener or added fabric-conditioning agents.
If you're unsure, choose a straightforward detergent without these additives.
Do I Need to Soak My Pads?
No — soaking isn't necessary.
Dry storing your used pads until wash day means there is no need to leave them sitting in water for several days.
If you're dealing with stains, there are other ways to help reduce them without soaking.
Dealing With Stains
Staining is a normal part of using reusable cloth pads. A stain doesn't necessarily mean your pad isn't clean.
If you'd like to help reduce staining, you can add a suitable stain remover to your initial short wash cycle.
For stubborn stains, a spot stain remover can also be used directly on the fabric.
If using a stain remover directly on your pad, always patch test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it is suitable for the fabric.
Avoid vigorous rubbing or scrubbing, as this can put unnecessary stress on the fibres and may damage the fabric over time.
You may also find that drying your pads in natural daylight can help lighten stains.
Remember: A stained pad can still be a clean pad.
The appearance of your pads may change with use, but this doesn't mean they aren't hygienic when properly washed and dried.
How Should I Dry My Cloth Pads?
Air Drying
We recommend air drying your pads wherever possible.
Hang them somewhere with good airflow and allow them to dry completely before storing them.
Our cloth pad drying straps are a convenient way to hang multiple pads together while they dry.
[IMAGE — pads hanging from a drying strap]
Tumble Drying
Your Crimson Bat cloth pads can be tumble dried on a low heat setting if needed.
However, regular tumble drying can place additional wear on the fabrics and stitching and may reduce the overall lifespan of your pads.
For this reason, we recommend air drying where possible.
Before Storing
Always make sure your pads are completely dry before storing them.
Can I Wash My Pads With My Normal Washing?
Yes!
Your cloth pads can be washed with your normal washing. There's no need to run a separate wash just for them.
After the initial cold rinse, add your pads to your usual wash with other suitable items.
Just make sure everything in the wash is suitable for the same temperature and washing cycle.
When Should I Consider a Strip Wash?
A strip wash is an occasional deeper clean and shouldn't be part of your regular washing routine.
If your pads aren't coming out as clean as you'd expect, you may notice:
- Lingering smells
- Water beading on the surface of the fabric
- Pads feeling stiff
- Pads not absorbing as they normally do
Before strip washing, check your normal washing routine.
Things such as the wrong detergent, fabric softener, hard water or an unsuitable washing routine can all affect how well your pads are cleaned.
How to Strip Wash
1. Cold pre-rinse
Run a cold rinse cycle with no detergent.
2. Deep hot wash
Follow with a long, deep wash at 60°C, using your chosen detergent.
3. Final rinse
If you can still see bubbles or suds in the washing machine, run an additional rinse cycle.
4. Air dry
Allow your pads to air dry thoroughly, preferably in the sunshine.
Natural sunlight provides UV exposure which can help with freshness and hygiene.
Important
Regular strip washing can place additional stress on the fabrics, absorbent layers and stitching and may considerably shorten the lifespan of your pads.
Strip washing should therefore only be used when needed, rather than as part of your normal washing routine.
How Should I Store Clean Pads?
Once your pads are clean and completely dry, store them somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated.
You can:
- Fold or stack them in a drawer
- Keep them in a storage box or basket
- Store them in their matching cloth pad wrappers
- Keep them in a wetbag
If you're storing your pads between periods, make sure they are completely dry before putting them away.
How Long Will My Cloth Pads Last?
With the right care, reusable cloth pads can last for many years and can be washed and reused time and time again.
Their lifespan will depend on how frequently they are used and washed, how they are cared for and the natural wear and tear that comes with regular use.
To help your pads last as long as possible:
- Follow the recommended washing routine
- Avoid fabric softener
- Avoid bleach
- Avoid regular high-temperature strip washing
- Air dry where possible
- Tumble dry on low only when needed
- Make sure pads are completely dry before storing
There isn't a set lifespan that applies to every pad.
With good care, your Crimson Bat cloth pads are designed to be used again and again for years to come.
Your Simple Care Routine
🖤 Use
Wear your pad and change when needed.
🖤 Dry Store
Keep your used pad somewhere with good airflow until wash day.
🖤 Cold Rinse
Start your wash with a cold rinse and no detergent.
🖤 Wash
Wash at your normal temperature, up to 40°C.
🖤 Dry
Air dry where possible, or tumble dry on low when needed.
🖤 Store
Make sure your pads are completely dry before storing them.
That's it!
There's no complicated soaking routine or special washing system needed. Once you've found a routine that works for you, caring for reusable cloth pads can become just another part of your normal washing routine.
Still Have Questions?
Head over to You Asked, We Answered for answers to some of the most common questions about using and caring for reusable cloth pads.
Or explore The Bat Files for more guides, stories, tips and all things Crimson Bat.