Behind the Seams: How Prewashing Improves Your Cloth Pads

At Alea Reusables, every pad begins long before it reaches the sewing machine. One of the most important steps in our process is prewashing the fabric. It might sound simple, but it makes a big difference. We prewash all natural fiber fabrics used in our cloth pads including cotton, cotton spandex, velour, and flannel. This is for good reason.

Prewashing isn’t just about shrinking the fabric. It’s about preparing each layer to work together, wash after wash. Here's a closer look at why this step matters and how it improves the quality and performance of your reusable cloth pads.

Why Prewashing Matters

Natural fiber fabrics come with sizing agents, softeners, or other finishing additives from the manufacturing process. These can impact absorbency and texture, and may even cause irritation for some people with sensitive skin. Prewashing removes these additives and ensures the fabric is clean and ready for use in personal care products.

Even more important, prewashing gives every fabric its first wash and dry cycle before it’s cut and sewn. Cotton-based fabrics tend to shrink – and each fabric can shrink at a different rate. If those fabrics shrink after a pad has been sewn, it can warp stitching, pull seams, or cause the pad to twist or curl. By prewashing, we make sure each component has already done most of its shrinking so the pad stays true to size and shape.

What We Prewash

We prewash all natural fiber fabrics that go into our pads:

• Cotton spandex is soft and stretchy but can shrink slightly and sometimes bleed color.
• Flannel benefits from a prewash because it fluffs up and becomes more absorbent.
• Woven cotton likely shrinks the most of these fabrics, washing makes its softer and more absorbent
  
• Cotton velour is prewashed to bring out its plush texture and minimize future shrinking.

Prewashing not only makes these fabrics perform better but it makes them feel better too. After washing, we’re able to inspect and work with the fabric in its “real” form, the way it will behave after your first few uses.

Some of our synthetic fabrics, such as Zorb and soft shell fleece, are not prewashed. These materials are engineered to perform consistently without shrinking or requiring a prep wash. Zorb, in particular, is designed to become more absorbent with use and has minimal shrinkage compared to natural fibers.

How We Prewash

Each fabric type is washed separately using settings that suit its fiber content. We wash in small batches before any cutting happens, which allows us to manage fabric more efficiently and avoid wasting material due to unexpected shrinkage or distortion. Once washed, the fabric is dried, folded, and stored until it’s ready to be cut and sewn into pads.

This adds extra time and labor to our production process, but it ensures that every pad we make is built on a reliable foundation. It’s a step many skip, especially in mass production, but it’s one we won’t leave out.

The End Result: Pads That Last

By taking the time to prewash our natural fiber fabrics, we’re creating pads that perform better and hold up over time. They’re less likely to twist or pucker, and they arrive ready to wear and ready to wash – no surprises.

That said, even though we prewash all natural fiber fabrics before sewing, we still strongly recommend that you wash your pads at home before using them. Your own laundry soap is likely one your skin already tolerates well. Giving your pads a wash after receiving them also helps remove any sewing debris or lint that may have collected during the production process. Our pads go through multiple steps and are handled at various points – and because it’s not safe to wear gloves when working with powered sewing machines and sergers, washing before first use is the most hygienic option available to you.

Every cloth pad from Alea Reusables is made with intention. That means choosing high-quality materials, taking the time to prep them properly, and sewing them with care. Prewashing is just one step in that process, but it’s a key part of why our pads are so durable, reliable, and comfortable.

We believe that small choices add up to a better product. And we think you’ll feel the difference.