Quick Answer
For longest life, rinse your Saalt period underwear in cold water immediately after wear, then machine wash on cold with Saalt Period Underwear Detergent and hang dry. Use a mesh laundry bag to protect the gusset and avoid fabric softener.
Why Special Care Matters for Period Underwear
Period underwear and bralettes are made with delicate absorbent layers and elastic that can break down if washed with harsh detergents or high heat. Saalt’s Leakproof Cotton Rib High Rise Brief, for example, uses a patented heavy absorbency gusset that needs gentle treatment to keep working. Bras like the Cotton Rib Square Neck Bralette are wire-free and rely on soft ribbed cotton-modal—hot water or dryer heat can shrink or distort the fabric.
Leakproof Cotton Rib High Rise Brief
Cotton Rib Square Neck Bralette
The trade-off is that gentle care takes a little more time, but it prevents the gusset from delaminating and keeps the elastic snug. Skipping the rinse step or using fabric softener can trap odors and reduce absorbency faster.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need specialty tools—just a few basics. A mesh laundry bag (small or medium size) protects your underwear from snagging. Saalt Period Underwear Detergent is an ultra-concentrated enzyme-powered formula that releases blood and odor while being gentle on delicates. If you don’t have it, any mild, bleach-free detergent works, but avoid anything with optical brighteners or softeners.
Step-by-Step Care Routine
- Rinse in Cold Water Right After Wear: Hold the gusset area under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. Gently squeeze—never wring or twist—to avoid damaging the absorbent layers. Skipping the rinse can set stains and breed bacteria. Do not use hot water—it can set protein-based stains.
- Machine Wash on Cold with Gentle Detergent: Place your period underwear and bralettes in a mesh laundry bag. Add the recommended amount of Saalt Period Underwear Detergent or a mild, bleach-free alternative. Select a cold, delicate cycle. Avoid fabric softener or dryer sheets—they coat the fibers and reduce absorbency. Overloading the machine or skipping the bag can cause the gusset to fray or the bralette's ribbing to pill. Wash with like colors only.
- Air Dry Only – No Heat: Remove items from the bag and lay flat or hang to dry away from direct sunlight and radiators. Do not put period underwear or bralettes in the dryer—heat damages the elastic and the leakproof barrier. Drying typically takes 4-6 hours. If you must speed up drying, use a fan in a well-ventilated room. Heat from a dryer or iron will permanently ruin the gusset's absorbency.
Product Facts
- Saalt Period Underwear Detergent: Saalt Period Underwear Detergent is an ultra-concentrated enzyme-powered detergent formulated to efficiently clean any period underwear. Enzymes break down blood and odor without harsh chemicals, so your leakproof gusset stays effective and your bralette fabric stays soft.
