1. Rinse your pads as soon as possible after use this is especially important if you're using a public bathroom – nobody wants to see your blood on the floor! Rinse your pad in the sink (or toilet, if you're brave enough), and then give it a good shake before hanging it to dry.
2. Store them somewhere dry Ideally, you want to store your pads somewhere dark and dry. A cloth menstrual pad can take a few days to dry completely, so make sure you have somewhere to hang them where they won't be disturbed.
3. Wash your pads every 2-3 times you use them, or whenever they start to smell. Wash them once on a cold or warm cycle and then hang them to dry.
4. Soak overnight before washing if they're really dirty If you're out and about and your pads get particularly dirty (for example, if you're camping), it might be easier to carry around a bottle of vinegar than to lug home a load of smelly cloth pads. If this happens, soak them overnight in 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar mixed with enough water to cover the pads, and wash as usual. Make sure you rinse extra thoroughly afterwards!
5. Store them in breathable mesh bags when not using them When storing your menstrual cups and cloth pads away for the next month or so, store them in breathable mesh bags to let them air out. While you might think that the mesh would be uncomfortable against your skin, they are actually much softer than polyester/plastic storage bags!
6. Store them flat when possible If you have space to store your cloth pads flat rather than rolled up, that's ideal. Storing cloth pads flat increases their life span by preventing pilling and damage caused by rolling Heavy Flow Pads over rough surfaces.
7. Use a little bit of detergent, not too much!When washing your cloth pads, just use a tiny bit of detergent – you don't want them to smell like soap for the rest of the month! You might also want to avoid using fabric softener, as this will make your pads less absorbent.

Cloth menstrual pads are a great way to reduce your environmental impact while managing your period. With a bit of care, they can last for years and save you a lot of money in the long run. So why not give them a try?