Can I Wear the Same Pad All Day or All Night?29 January 2025 | Admin Why Changing Your Pad Regularly MattersAs you'll know if you read our blogs regularly, our content ideas come from many places. Sometimes, it's social media posts. Sometimes it's emails we receive. However the inspiration today came from this Trustpilot review we received recently: "Amazing, they held a first day period (super heavy) all day, didn’t have a change once (8:30am - 7:30pm) although was on the very full side at the end of it, I wasn’t worried about leaking or anything. A little movement, but nothing major, I went on a hike today and they worked amazingly! I know they’re for night but work amazing during the day too. Hugely recommend!" Bamboo Night Pad Review We definitely recommend changing pads more often than this during the day! It might seem convenient to wear the same pad all day, especially if you're using a reusable one which are higher absorbency. But the truth is, no matter which type of pad you're wearing, it's not recommended to wear the same pad all day —whether you're dealing with periods or incontinence. Even though reusable pads are designed for durability and comfort, wearing any pad for too long can lead to: ✅ Bacterial growth – Warm, moist environments can allow bacteria to thrive. ✅ Unpleasant odours – Even with good airflow, fluids can cause smells over time. ✅ Skin irritation – Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rashes or discomfort. However, when it comes to overnight wear, it’s a little bit different! It’s perfectly fine to wear the same pad all night for up to 8 hours while sleeping, as long as it has enough absorbency for your needs. So how often should you change your pad? Let’s take a look. How Often Should You Change Your Pad?For PeriodsYour flow will determine how often you should change your pad: During the day: - Disposable Period Pads: Change every 4-6 hours on heavier days and every 6-8 hours when your flow is lighter.
- Reusable Panty Liners or Period Pads: Change every 4-6 hours on heavier days and every 6-8 hours when your flow is lighter. To prevent stains, it’s a good idea to rinse in cold water or soak them after each use.
At night: - Whether disposable or reusable, it’s fine to wear the same pad overnight (for up to 8 hours) as long as it’s a high-absorbency pad that can handle your flow.
- Change it as soon as you wake up to stay fresh and comfortable.
👉 Want to know more about choosing the right pad? Read our guide. '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.' Bamboo Night Pad Review For IncontinenceLeak protection is important, but so is hygiene and comfort. During the day: - Disposable Incontinence Pads: Change every 4-6 hours for light to moderate leaks, and more frequently if you experience heavier leaks.
- Reusable Incontinence Pads: These should also be changed every 4-6 hours, or more often if you have a larger leaks.
At night: - It’s okay to wear the same pad overnight (up to 8 hours) if it’s highly absorbent and designed for nighttime use.
- As with period pads, change first thing in the morning.
Signs It’s Time to Change Your PadListen to your body. If you're not sure whether it’s time for a fresh pad, watch out for these signs: 🚨 You feel damp or uncomfortable. 🚨 There’s a noticeable smell. 🚨 Your pad feels heavy or saturated. 🚨 You notice irritation, redness, or itching. Changing your pad regularly means: ✨ More comfort throughout the day. ✨ Better skin health (no irritation or rashes). ✨ No lingering odours. "For mild incontinence they are great, the poppers work well and the reversible nature of the poppers is great when out and about to fold them up securely. There is no smell from them ( unless you smell right up close to the actual pad) I have been using these and the larger size for a few months and after an initial uncertainty, I now feel confident to use them when travelling or on a walk. Easy to change if needed. Only disadvantage over disposable I would say is that it is harder to judge when they are at their limit due to the dark grey colour ( the damp patch at first is useful but fades over time during the day so I can’t tell how much urine they have absorbed.) I don’t trust them fully at the sides once the pad is wet, but that just means I might change them when out and about. Changing at home is easy so that doesn’t worry me. I feel happy doing that as not adding to landfill." Fearless Incontinence Pad Review The Bottom Line: Fresh Pads = Fresh Knicker FeelingIt’s fine to wear the same pad overnight for up to 8 hours, but during the day, pads, just like tampons or a menstrual cup should be changed more frequently for your comfort and hygiene. 💡 Reusable pads are a great sustainable choice—better for you and the planet. If you’re looking for comfortable, breathable, and eco-friendly period or incontinence pads, check out our range at Cheeky Pants. Specially desgined for incontinence use our pads are WAY more comfortable and absorbent than disposable! Browse | Our cotton cloth sanitary pads are perfect for light to regular flow. Thin, discreet. Browse | |
Have questions or experiences to share? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you! 😊 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 pads and tampons were no longer an option for her menstrual flow and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable panty liners and reusable sanitary pads for any type of period and flow day. 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. | 
