Sanitary napkins play an important role in accommodating menstrual blood flow. Until now, there is still a lot of debate on whether sanitary pads should be washed before disposal or whether it is okay to dispose of sanitary pads without washing. Which side are you on?

In Indonesia, washing disposable sanitary napkins before disposing of them is closely related to some myths that have developed in the community. So most women choose to wash their sanitary napkins before disposing of them.

Do sanitary pads have to be washed?

Actually, there is no specific rule about whether sanitary napkins should be washed or not. Whether disposable sanitary napkins are washed or not is not a problem. Basically, disposable pads such as commonly used sanitary napkins do not need to be washed after use. This is because disposable sanitary napkins are designed to be replaced after one use and then discarded.

Disposable sanitary napkins are also usually made of disposable materials whose function is to absorb menstrual blood. This is also reinforced by the opinion of several experts who say that disposable pads contain bacteria, germs or viruses that are not good if touched by humans.

On the other hand, cloth or reusable sanitary napkins require washing after use. Cloth pads need to be washed thoroughly before reuse. However, some women choose to wash their sanitary pads before disposing them for hygiene reasons. And, this is fine as long as you wash and dispose of the pads in the right way.

The Right Way to Wash Sanitary Napkins

Disposable sanitary pads are not meant to be washed and reused. Disposable pads are washed so that they are less dirty when disposed of. Here is the correct way to wash and dispose of disposable sanitary napkins:

Choose a place to wash sanitary napkins

The right place to wash sanitary napkins is in the bathroom. Because the bathroom has a drain so that the remaining blood from the pads can flow smoothly into the drain. You can also clean the pads in the sink, but make sure you clean until there is no residue left from the pads.

Wash with detergent

Before throwing it away, make sure the pad is not full of blood. Rinse it first under running water to remove as much blood and other substances as possible. This also makes it easier for sanitation workers or people who process sanitary pad waste not to feel disgusted. You can also use the help of detergents to remove stains and reduce the stench of menstrual blood. So that it doesn't cause an unpleasant odor when you throw it away.

No need to remove the contents of sanitary napkins

Washing sanitary napkins does not mean you have to remove the contents of the sanitary napkins. Washing sanitary napkins is sufficient on the surface only without the need to remove the contents. Because removing the contents of sanitary napkins can actually make it even dirtier and more difficult to clean.

Tie the sanitary napkin

The next way to wash sanitary napkins is to tie the sanitary napkins after washing. You can tie the sanitary napkin with a rubber strap or roll it with a tissue. Rolling the sanitary napkin with a tissue is not without reason. Because if you dispose of the sanitary napkin directly, it is feared that the adhesive part of the sanitary napkin will stick to the disposal site. So that the sanitary napkin is not disposed of in the right way.

Wrap in plastic

To make it even cleaner, the right way to dispose of sanitary napkins is wrapped in plastic. Or you can use plastic sanitary napkin packaging. Because usually new sanitary napkins have plastic wrappers per unit. So, you can keep the environment clean by disposing of sanitary napkins properly.

That's why sanitary pads need to be washed. Although there is no impact of the consequences of not washing sanitary napkins, we still have to maintain hygiene. By following these steps, you can wash and dispose of disposable sanitary napkins properly. (Aq/LDS)