Are the fabrics used in Cheeky period pants safe?

Are the fabrics used in your period pants safe?

Updated 13th Nov 2023

We've had a few customers contact us regarding articles in the Guardian and Which Magazine around some brands of period pants containing silver at high levels which could be harmful.

For many of us (myself included) we have chosen cloth sanitary pads and period pants because we want less chemicals in and around our sensitive lady bits, not more.

The good news is that the fabrics used in our Cheeky pants and pads, have NEVER used PFOS, PFOA or 'antimicrobial silver'.

We've always steered away from using 'special' fabrics containing silver or anything with anti-bacterial properties because...well, it's just not necessary and feels a little bit gimmicky. 

Our Period pants and pads are made from the same materials that you would normally wear as your knickers every day, however with two distinct differences. 

Absorbency

There's an extra absorbent layer inside the gusset of the pants which runs from front waistband to back waistband of our pants and this is simply cotton / elastane or bamboo.  We use this because the elastane gives them good stretch and the cotton is absorbent without being bulky.

Waterproofing

The outer layers of our period pants need to be waterproofed - that's what stops blood leaking through the pants onto your clothes.  For this layer we use 'Oeko-Tex' certified TPU, rather than PUL.  TPU is very similar to PUL - however it's bonded using heat rather than chemicals.  This is why you shouldn't tumble dry period pants as it can damage the heat bonding on the waterproof layer.  We use TPU rather than PUL because it's softer, more stretchy, and less crunchy which gives a much better feel and fit.

What is Oeko-Tex certification? 

Oeko-tex is a globally renowned testing standard.  Our fabric carries the Oeko-tex 'standard 100' which means that it has been tested for harmful substances and is proven to be 'harmless in human ecological terms'.  And they don't just test for regulated substances but non-regulated ones too.

So, in summary, our pants continue to be a 'gamechanger' in allowing freedom from irritating sanitary products.  And that's our customers words, not ours!  We've had tons of reviews from you already explaining how much more comfortable and easy to wear you've found wearing period pants.   Don't be put off by this.  Embrace a more eco-friendly, skin friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products, do your bit for the planet too.

Hopefully this reassures you that the period pants you're wearing are safe to use, but as always if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable panty liners and reusable sanitary pads.

The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.