Washing Instructions (more in depth)
!!Please wash and dry all pads before first use!!
Avoid the use of bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets. Bleach can harm the fabric and cause fibre breaks, holes and colour bleaching. Fabric softener and dryer sheets cause a build up on the fibres that will restrict the ability for it to absorb.
After use, you can rinse the pad/liner immediately after, but instead I recommend dry storage. Dry storage just means storing your used pad in a wet bag, net bag, bin or pail with air flow that allows it to dry out completely until you are ready to wash. This eliminates the chance of nasty smells being caused by moist, air-tight environments.
When ready to wash, choose 1 of the 3 options below:
Option 1: Fill a pail with cool water and some oxi clean powder. Pre-soak the pads in this pail for a few hours (or overnight) to help loosen the blood before washing. I like to dump out the water, then add to the washer and bulk up to regular sized load of laundry. Use regular amount of laundry soap for size of load of laundry, Oxi clean and other laundry boosters you wish to use. (Except for fabric softener)
Option 2 : Add your soiled pads to your washing machine for a quick wash with cold water and oxiclean & laundry detergent. After the quick wash, bulk up to regular sized load of laundry. Use regular amount of laundry soap for size of load of laundry, Oxi clean and other laundry boosters you wish to use. (Except for fabric softener)
Option 3: Hand washing- Follow direction in option 1 for pre-soak. To hand wash, apply a small amount of liquid or powered laundry soap on the top of the pad. Rub the surface of the pad together to rub the detergent in. Once the pad looks clean it is time to start rinsing. Scrunch pad in fresh water until all laundry detergent is removed and water runs clear. Try to avoid twisting the pad but squeeze out the excess water. Flatten out the pad then hang to dry. (See instructions below)
You can either use the dryer(I like medium heat) or hang to dry. Do not use dryer sheets. You can use a drying strap, to snap together the pads to make a chain and attach to towel bar or shower curtain rod.
With proper care, cloth pads can last 5-10 years or longer. Staining and discharge bleaching(like that happen with dark underwear) can happen and do not mean your pad is not clean.
Staining can be tackled in a few different ways.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide - I find it works best applied directly on the stain and left to sit. You can usually see the effect of it working by the bubbles. Then wash normally.
2. Sunning - Dampen the pad with water and place it in direct sunshine. Wash as normal once you notice stain is gone.
3. Stain stick or laundry bar- Dampen the pad, then rub stick on pad and then rub fabric together to work into stain. Once stain has been reduced or eliminated, wash as normal.
Avoid the use of bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets. Bleach can harm the fabric and cause fibre breaks, holes and colour bleaching. Fabric softener and dryer sheets cause a build up on the fibres that will restrict the ability for it to absorb.
After use, you can rinse the pad/liner immediately after, but instead I recommend dry storage. Dry storage just means storing your used pad in a wet bag, net bag, bin or pail with air flow that allows it to dry out completely until you are ready to wash. This eliminates the chance of nasty smells being caused by moist, air-tight environments.
When ready to wash, choose 1 of the 3 options below:
Option 1: Fill a pail with cool water and some oxi clean powder. Pre-soak the pads in this pail for a few hours (or overnight) to help loosen the blood before washing. I like to dump out the water, then add to the washer and bulk up to regular sized load of laundry. Use regular amount of laundry soap for size of load of laundry, Oxi clean and other laundry boosters you wish to use. (Except for fabric softener)
Option 2 : Add your soiled pads to your washing machine for a quick wash with cold water and oxiclean & laundry detergent. After the quick wash, bulk up to regular sized load of laundry. Use regular amount of laundry soap for size of load of laundry, Oxi clean and other laundry boosters you wish to use. (Except for fabric softener)
Option 3: Hand washing- Follow direction in option 1 for pre-soak. To hand wash, apply a small amount of liquid or powered laundry soap on the top of the pad. Rub the surface of the pad together to rub the detergent in. Once the pad looks clean it is time to start rinsing. Scrunch pad in fresh water until all laundry detergent is removed and water runs clear. Try to avoid twisting the pad but squeeze out the excess water. Flatten out the pad then hang to dry. (See instructions below)
You can either use the dryer(I like medium heat) or hang to dry. Do not use dryer sheets. You can use a drying strap, to snap together the pads to make a chain and attach to towel bar or shower curtain rod.
With proper care, cloth pads can last 5-10 years or longer. Staining and discharge bleaching(like that happen with dark underwear) can happen and do not mean your pad is not clean.
Staining can be tackled in a few different ways.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide - I find it works best applied directly on the stain and left to sit. You can usually see the effect of it working by the bubbles. Then wash normally.
2. Sunning - Dampen the pad with water and place it in direct sunshine. Wash as normal once you notice stain is gone.
3. Stain stick or laundry bar- Dampen the pad, then rub stick on pad and then rub fabric together to work into stain. Once stain has been reduced or eliminated, wash as normal.