Can you see reusable sanitary pads through clothes?

Updated September 2023

Here at Cheeky we've been all about 'Simple Reusables' since we launched our reusable wet wipes kit back in 2008.

Reusable Sanitary pads (and period pants) are a fantastic alternative to disposable period products. They'll save you money in the long run (although some Period Pants can be expensive). They're comfortable too, being moisture wicking and super absorbent for even the heaviest blood flow.

Washing them is easy too, just squirt with stain remover and then cool wash in the washing machine, avoiding fabric softener. Wash at 30c or less to avoid 'setting' the blood stains, then air dry.

Our team take pride in answering our customer questions honestly, chatting pee, poo and periods all day long. We only sell products that we wear or use ourselves and answer all questions from our own experiences. Nothing is TMI!

So if someone asks 'can you see reusable sanitary pads through your clothes', of course our team dropped their trousers, jeans and leggings to show you before and after!

The answer to this is NO you cannot see Reusable Sanitary Pads under your clothes!

Many people think that as reusable pads are so much more absorbent than disposable pads that they will in return be more bulky... however this is far from the truth!

That's all very well we hear you say but surely if you're wearing a pad, you'll still be able to see them under leggings? Actually, we find that reusable pads are less visible under clothing than similar absorbency disposable pads.  

How to wear leggings on your period

Here's how to wear leggings on your period:

• choose internal menstrual products such as tampons or a menstrual cup
• if that's not an option for you, choose period pants for the least visible lines (our sleek period pants are GREAT under clothing)
• if you use pads, choose reusable pads rather than disposables as they are more discreet
• cotton pads are less bulky than bamboo pads
• counterintuitively, choose tight fit leggings with a high percentage of lycra rather than loose ones. They'll help keep your pad in place and stop it moving around

Below we have taken images of two different reusable pads under leggings. Our reusable cotton pads first and then our bamboo plush pads!

Our cotton pads are a little bit thinner than our standard bamboo plush pads, but there's very little difference in terms of bulk.

Our bamboo pads are brilliant for heavy flow, preventing leaks and come with a bamboo top later or bamboo charcoal top layer which will prevent staining.

Here's tight sports leggings with reusable cloth pads underneath! No bulk, and you can't see the pad through leggings at all.

You're getting 4 layers of absorbency PLUS a discreet look!

Firstly, here's Helen, our Cheeky Founder.  She's wearing a cotton day pad under leggings...

All you can see is just the flap underneath where it presses together nothing more!

Even when you're just wearing underwear, there's very little to see, just the flap which holds them closed under your knickers.

"These are so much better than their other material of reusable pads. They are the comfiest pads I’ve ever worn!! The cotton is so incredibly soft that you can’t even feel the pad there! They’re also super high absorbency - never leaked through (I just use the night ones on really heavy days). Honestly would 10/10 recommend - they’re a little more expensive than the other ones but sooooo worth it!! I’m never going back." Product Review

Can you see a pad through jeans?

No, you can't see a reusable pad through jeans. Even tight fitting jeans won't show a reusable pad as you can see.  This is Megan, our Marketing Assistant showing our bamboo pad under sports shorts, summer shorts and jeans.  Nothing to see here!

So if you thought that wearing cloth sanitary pads would be like wearing a nappy, think again!

"Super soft and comfortable. Stayed in place well. Very, very absorbent - managed around 5 hours on a heavy flow with no leaks, which a disposable pad can't do. Came out of the wash white even after several days of waiting to be washed. Much better than the disposable pads I'd been using." Product Review

Priced from £3.30 for a bamboo plush liner, £4.50 for a bamboo plush day pad and £5.50 for a bamboo plush night/maternity pad. Our cotton and organic cotton pads start from £4.50 for a mini liner, £5.00 for a day pad or £6.50 upwards for night or extra large night/maternity pads.

We hope this article was useful. You may also enjoy reading:

• Best Period Pants Brands 2023
• How do you clean reusable sanitary pads
• Best period pads for heavy flow

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 sanitary pads and reusable makeup removing 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.